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December 17, 2009

Metro area loses 5.400 jobs from November to November

The Metro Dalton area (Whitfield and Murray counties) lost 5,400 jobs from November of 2008 to November of this year (7.4 percent), according to figures compiled by the Georgia Department of Labor. That is the highest percentage of job loss among the state's 14 metro areas.

The number of jobs in the metro area decreased from 72,600 in November of 2008 to 67,200 in November of this year.

Statewide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 10.2 percent in November, up one-tenth of a percentage point from a revised 10.1 percent in October. Previously, the October rate had been reported at 10.2 percent.

The November jobless rate was up 3.1 percentage points in the state from 7.1 percent at this same time last year. The national adjusted unemployment rate is 10 percent. For 24 of the last 25 months, Georgia’s unemployment rate has exceeded the national unemployment rate.

“Georgia’s job market is mired in a prolonged and painful economic downturn,” said State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond in a press release. “The solution to America’s economic crisis is job creation. The Georgia Department of Labor will host a bipartisan Jobs Summit on Jan. 18 at the Georgia Tech Hotel and Convention Center. We will bring together the best minds in the state to develop a state-level strategy that will help spur economic growth and job creation.”

The number of payroll jobs in the state in November decreased 192,400, or 4.7 percent, from November of 2008. The metropolitan areas with the highest percentage of job losses during the period are Dalton, down 7.4 percent; Macon, down 5.8 percent; Atlanta, Gainesville, and Valdosta, all down 4.9 percent. The metropolitan areas with the smallest percentage of job losses are Columbus and Rome, down 2.2 percent. Only Hinesville showed an increase in jobs, up 400, or 2.1 percent.

Statewide, the over-the-year losses came in trade, transportation and warehousing, manufacturing, professional and business services, and construction. On a positive note, educational and health services added 13,800 jobs over the year. Also, from October to November, a total of 8,500 jobs were added in retail trade, public and private education, and health care.

The number of jobless workers receiving regular state unemployment benefits increased 12,782, or 11.5 percent, from 111,213 in November 2008 to 123,995 in November 2009. Another 145,000 received federal Extended Unemployment Compensation.



Source: Georgia Department of Labor

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