ATLANTA - First-time claims for unemployment insurance (UI) in Georgia were down 15.7 percent in November, compared to a year ago.<br />
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State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Albany (down 51.9 percent), Valdosta (down 36 percent), and Gainesville (down 35.8 percent) led in the decline in applications. The smallest decrease was recorded by Hinesville, 1.1 percent.<br />
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Butler said the numbers represented the biggest drop in first-time claims in 14 years.<br />
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There were no reports of increases in new claims during the month in any of Georgia's 14 metropolitan areas.<br />
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Butler said applications were down across the board - covering just about all sectors of employment in the state.
