First-time UI claims down in Ga. and in Gainesville

ATLANTA - The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) said this week first-time claims for unemployment insurance (UI) in Georgia were down 18.6 percent last month compared to June 2012. They were down in metro Gainesville by 2.3 percent compared.

Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said of the 14 metropolitan areas in Georgia, only Rome, Savannah and Warner Robins showed increases in such claims.

Athens and Atlanta, at 23.9 percent and 13.2 percent, respectively, reported two of the biggest decreases.