But Michael Thurmond also says the pace of new layoffs is decelerating. Thumond notes, however, that the number of new claims represents an increase of 18.2 percent from August of 2008, and he says a rising number of laid-off workers are remaining unemployed longer
Of the 14 metro areas in the state, Rome saw a 74.4 percent increase in first-time jobless claims during the 12-month period; Dalton, 63.1 percent; Gainesville, 45.9 percent; and Athens, 43.5 percent. At the other end of the spectrum, the number of claims decreased in Columbus, Hinesville, Macon and Warner Robins.
Thurmond says the last time the 12-month increase in initial claims was this low was January of 2008, when an increase of 7.2 percent was recorded.
Most of the initial claims were filed by laid-off workers in manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, construction, and administrative and support services.
(AccessNorthGa.com's Ken Stanford contributed to this report.)
http://accesswdun.com/article/2009/9/223141