ATLANTA — First-time claims for unemployment insurance in Georgia were up slightly in May from a month earlier, with Gainesville and five other metropolitan areas showing increases.
All six of the increases were in double-digits: Savannah (29.7 percent), Warner Robins (29.2 percent), Gainesville (24.1), Brunswick (18.3), Augusta (14.2), and Macon (13.2). Dalton (44.4 percent), Rome (37.4) and Valdosta (16.8) led the state in declines in applications.
The statewide increase was 0.7 percent.
"Most of the increase in claims came in health care and social assistance, along with accommodations and food services," state Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said. And, while claims were up in May compared to April, compared to a year ago they were down 15.8 percent, "The decline came mostly in accommodations and food services, manufacturing, construction, retail trade and transportation and warehousing," Butler said.
