First-time applications for unemployment insurance in Georgia and in Gainesville were down in November compared to October, according to the state Labor Department.
State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler says they were down 6.5 percent statewide and 35.1 percent in Gainesville.
The Gainesville percentage decrease was second-best among the 14 metropolitan areas in Georgia, behind only Warner Robins. Decreases were recorded in all but four of those areas. While Gainesville showed a decline, both Athens and Atlanta recorded increases. Most of the declines came in manufacturing, according to Butler.
Butler also says that over the 12 months ending in November, claims were down 18.8 percent, with most of that decline coming in manufacturing and construction.
