Between March 2011 and March 2012, the number of new jobs in Gainesville totaled 5,200 - a 7.2 percent increase, tops among all 14 metropolitan areas in Georgia, according to state Labor Commissioner Mark Butler. A month ago, Butler reported that Gainesville lead the state in job gains between February 2011 and February 2012, adding 4,200 jobs, a 5.8 percent increase.
The March-to-March figures, meanwhile, show Athens with the third-best showing in the state in terms of new jobs - a 1.6 percent increases Metro Atlanta showed a 1.2 percent increase. Dalton, Augusta and Albany led in job losses. Statewide, there was a .9 percent increase in job gains between March 2011 and March 2012.
Meanwhile, the number of first-time claims for unemployment insurance in Georgia were down during the same period by 15.2 percent, led by Dalton, Rome and Gainesville. Gainesville shows a decrease of 515 or 42.6 percent, third-best in the state. Claims in Athens were down 16.9 percent and in Atlanta by 13 percent. Of the 14 metropolitan regions, only Warner Robins showed an increase, 9 percent.
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State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler
http://accesswdun.com/article/2012/4/247815