ATLANTA - First-time claims for unemployment insurance (UI) in Georgia were down 18 percent in October, compared to a year ago.<br />
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State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Brunswick (down 58.9 percent), Hinesville (down 47.5 percent) and Valdosta (down 39.3 percent) led in the decline in applications.<br />
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Gainesville had one of the smallest decreases, ten percent. The smallest was in Macon, 6.5 percent. Only Dalton reported an increase in claims among the 14 metropolitan areas in Georgia, 39.8 percent.<br />
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Claims were also down in Athens and Atlanta.<br />
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Butler said most of the year-to-year decline statewide occurred in manufacturing, professional, scientific and technical services, support services, and trade, transportation and warehousing.
