First-time UI claims in Ga. down 16.7 percent

ATLANTA - First-time claims for unemployment insurance (UI) in Georgia were down in march by 16.7 percent after a 4.2 percent increase in February.

State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Hinesville (down 54.6 percent), Brunswick (32.9 percent) and Albany (25.9 percent) led the state's 14 metropolitan areas in decreases. In our area, applications were down 22.2 percent in Gainesville, 18.8 percent in Atlanta and one percent in Athens.

Only metro Savannah showed an increase in applications, 10.1 percent.