ATLANTA - First-time claims for unemployment insurance in Georgia decreased 15.4 percent in August, compared to August a year ago.
Dalton led the way among the state's 14 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), with a 66.1 percent decline. Applications were down 44.4 percent in Gainesville and 26 percent in Macon.
Only two MSAs reported increases: Athens (9.3 percent) and Warner Robins (1.7 percent).
State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler says the number of claims statewide was 26,335, the fewest for one month since 25,014 were filed in May 2000. Most of the decrease in August was due to a decline in temporary claims in manufacturing and administrative and support services, which includes temporary employment agencies.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2015/9/336727/ga-unemployment-insurance-claims-down-led-by-dalton-gainesville-macon