ATLANTA - First-time claims for unemployment insurance were up ten percent in Georgia in October compared to September but down nearly 30 percent in Gainesville.
Gainesville (29.7 percent) was one of only three metropolitan areas in the state to show a decrease. The others were Augusta (0.9 percent) and Savannah (7.9 percent). Athens (1.5 percent) and Atlanta (8.1 percent) were among the places showing an increase.
Year-to-year claims, however, were down 9.9 percent, according to state Labor Commissioner Mark Butler. In Gainesville, the decrease was 12.4 percent from October a year ago. Athens was down 12.8 percent and Atlanta, 12.7.
Butler attributed most of the increase from September to October to temporary claims filed in manufacturing, especially in textiles and transportation equipment. However, the year-to-year decline, he said, came in a number of industries.
He listed administrative and support services, wholesale and retail trade, accommodations and food services, health care and social assistance, professional, scientific and technical services, and real estate, rental and leasing.
