Unemployment insurance claims in Gainesville down by 38 percent last year

First-time claims for unemployment insurance in Gainesville last year were down 37.9 percent compared to 2017.

State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler says the number of claims in December in Gainesville was also down, by 26.2 percent, compared to November.

Atlanta also reported decreases for the year (3.56 percent) and month-to-month (3.4 percent).  But, Athens showed an increase for the year (9.6 percent) and month-to-month (25.1 percent.)

Butler adds that claims statewide were down.