The Georgia Department of Labor says the number of first-time claims for state unemployment insurance benefits more than doubled in February from the same month a year ago. State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond says most of the initial claims were filed by laid-off workers in manufacturing, trade, construction, and administrative services. Thurmond said more than 86,000 people filed initial claims for benefits last month. The department says the number of jobless workers receiving unemployment insurance benefits rose 116 percent over the past year, from 73,661 in February of 2008 to 159,359 in February of 2009. The metropolitan areas with the highest percentage of increase in claims are Brunswick, up 179.5 percent; Athens, up 167.1
percent; and Dalton, up 148.7 percent.
(Associated Press)
percent; and Dalton, up 148.7 percent.
(Associated Press)
