Gainesville leads state in drop in first-time UI claims

ATLANTA - Gainesville led the state in January in the decline of first-time unemployment insurance (UI) claims, according to the state Labor Department.

Labor Commissioner Mark Butler says claims were down 37 percent in metro Gainesville, compared to January a year ago.

Every metropolitan area in the state showed a reduction except Savannah, which had an increase of 18.8 percent.

The reduction in Athens was 7.7. percent and it was 26.3 percent.

Statewide, claims were down 18.8 percent.