Unemployment insurance claims up in Gainesville, statewide

ATLANTA - Initial unemployment insurance claims are up in metro Gainesville and the state as a whole.

Claims jumped 2.2 percent in Gainesville over the past month, from 630 to 644.

Statewide, the numbers are up 1.9 percent, with most of the increase in trade and services.

Of the 14 metro areas of the state, claims were up in eight of them and down in the other six.

Initial claims are considered to be a good barometer of economic activity.

State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond said, "The June report is further confirmation of the trend toward higher unemployment. Since the beginning of the year, initial claims have been running in excess of 30 percent over the same period last year. The economic downturn that began with the credit crunch has accelerated with significant costs of food and fuel causing many employers to reduce hiring or eliminate jobs.

"I encourage job seekers to take note that some employers are still hiring and that the Georgia Department of Labor can help connect them," Thurmond continued.

The total number of individuals receiving unemployment insurance benefits was up 46.7 percent over the year, from 55,450 in June 2007 to 81,321 in June 2008.

The 14 metro areas of the state and the changes in their initial claims from May to June are as follows:

- Albany, up 167, or 24.7 percent, from 676 to 843.
- Athens, down 110, or 15.5 percent, from 710 to 600.
- Atlanta, up 46, or two-tenths of one percent, from 19,249 to 19,295.
- Augusta, down 92, or 6.3 percent, from 1,454 to 1,362.
- Brunswick, up 67, or 17 percent, from 395 to 462.
- Columbus, up 22, or 2.9 percent, from 758 to 780.
- Dalton, down 588, or 24.7 percent, from 2,377 to 1,789.
- Gainesville, up 14, or 2.2 percent, from 630 to 644.
- Hinesville, up five, or 3.1 percent, from 159 to 164.
- Macon, down 85, or 7.1 percent, from 1,189 to 1,104.
- Rome, down 237, or 31.1 percent, from 762 to 525.
- Savannah, up 385, or 40.3 percent, from 955 to 1,340.
- Valdosta, down 37, or 4.5 percent, from 822 to 785.
- Warner Robins, up four, or one percent, from 385 to 389.