Unemployment claims up in Gainesville

GAINESVILLE - Initial unemployment insurance claims up ten percent in Metro Gainesville.

State Labor Department Commissioner Michael Thurmond says 513 laid-off workers filed initial claims between April and May - most of them in the service industries - a net increase of 45.

Only Dalton, Savannah, Hinesville and Valdosta - among the 14 metro areas in Georgia - showed a decline in the number during the period.

Thurmond says 35,397 laid-off workers filed first-time claims, statewide, in May, up eight-tenths of one percent from April.

Initial claims were up from 32,042 filed in May 2005 for an over-the-year increase of 10.5 percent. Initial claims are considered to be a leading economic indicator, because they measure newly laid-off workers.

The 14 metro areas of the state and the changes in their initial claims from April to May are as follows:

- Albany, up 371, or 58 percent, from 638 to 1,009.
- Athens, up 80, or 20 percent, from 391 to 471.
- Atlanta, up 609, or four percent, from 15,191 to 15,800.
- Augusta, up 539, or 52 percent, from 1,043 to 1,582.
- Brunswick, up 33, or 13.5 percent, from 245 to 278.
- Columbus, up 317, or 50 percent, from 640 to 957.
- Dalton, down 127, or 10 percent, from 1,244 to 1,117.
- Gainesville, up 45, or 10 percent, from 468 to 513.
- Hinesville, down 29, or 15 percent, from 195 to 166.
- Macon, up 180, or 18 percent, from 1,020 to 1,200.
- Rome, up 95, or 23 percent, from 413 to 508.
- Savannah, down 49, or six percent, from 870 to 821.
- Valdosta, down 116, or 18 percent, from 647 to 531.
- Warner Robins, up 67, or 22 percent, from 304 to 371.