Jobs decline 1.1 percent

ATLANTA - Gainesville was impacted least of all in July as the number of jobs in Georgia declined by one-point-one percent.

Every metro area in the state reports a decline in new jobs. State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond says the decreases were across the board, impacting every segment of Georgia's labor market.

Only 100 jobs were lost in Metro Gainesville during July, a one percent decline... the smallest in the state. Compare that to 1.7 percent in both Augusta and Warner Robins.

"From Blue Ridge to Atlanta, from Macon to Valdosta, thousands of unemployed Georgians are pouring into our career centers," Thurmond said. "The Georgia Department of Labor is committed to doing everything possible to assist them during these difficult economic times. We ask for their patience and cooperation as we work together to overcome these unprecedented challenges."

The metro areas of the state and their job changes include:

- Albany, down 600, or nine-tenths of one percent, from 64,400 to 63,800.
- Athens, down 200, or two-tenths of one percent, from 83,700 to 83,500.
- Atlanta, down 27,500, or 1.1 percent, from 2,467,900 to 2,440,400.
- Augusta, down 3,800, or 1.7 percent, from 218,800 to 215,000.
- Columbus, down 1,500, or 1.2 percent, from 121,700 to 120,200.
- Dalton, down 1,200, or 1.5 percent, from 78,000 to 76,800.
- Gainesville, down 100, or one-tenth of one percent, from 77,500 to 77,400.
- Macon, down 1,000, or 1.0 percent, from 100,400 to 99,400.
- Savannah, down 2,100, or 1.3 percent, from 162,600 to 160,500.
- Valdosta, down 800, or 1.4 percent, from 56,400 to 55,600.
- Warner Robins, down 1,000, or 1.7 percent, from 59,300 to 58,300.

......

On the Net. Georgia Dept. of Labor. http://www.dol.state.ga.us.