First-time claims for unemployment insurance up in Gainesville, elsewhere in Georgia

The number of initial claims for unemployment insurance in Georgia rose by 41.9 percent in December, compared to a month earlier.

Only one metropolitan area showed a decreased in claims, Macon (six percent). In Gainesville, the number was up 18.8 percent; Athens, 26.9 percent; and Atlanta, 18 percent.

State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said most of the rise was due to an increase in temporary claims filed in textile manufacturing and administrative and support services, which includes temporary employment agencies.

Over the year, however, claims were down everywhere except Augusta-Richmond County and Dalton, which reported increases of 7.5 percent and 0.6 percent, respectively. In Gainesville, they were down 20.8 percent; in Athens, 5.8 percent; and, Atlanta, 21.3 percent.

The claims are considered by a measure of layoffs in the state.