The number of first-time unemployment insurance claims filed in Gainesville last month was up 38.9 percent compared to May, while statewide they were down 2.4. percent.
That's according to state Labor Commissioner Mark Butler.
Gainesville was one of only two Metropolitan Statistical Areas in the state showing a double-digit increase in applications in June. The other was Rome (19.3 percent). Two other MSAs also showed increases, Brunswick (1.1 percent) and Albany (2.1 percent). Eight others show declines and one, Warner Robins, reported no change from its May data.
In addition to the month-to-month decline of 2.4. percent, Butler adds that over the past year, applications are down about 15 percent across the state.
