Ga. loses 137,000+ jobs

ATLANTA - The number of jobs in Georgia declined by 3.5 percent - or 137,500 - during the 12 months ending in February.

Brunswick (5.2% fewer), Atlanta (3.7%), Valdosta (3.1%), Gainesville (2.5%) and Macon (2.5%) saw the most jobs lost... Athens (1.2%), Columbus (.9%), Augusta (.2%) and Hinesville (with no change) the fewest.

Only Warner Robins, of the state's 14 metropolitan areas, showed an increase in the number of jobs between Febraury 2009 and February 2010. Warner Robins gained 300 jobs during the period, a .5% increase.

Also, the state Labor Department is reporting that Georgia's unemployment rate increased in February to 10.5 percent, another record high. (See separate story.)