Unemployment Claims Jump Big Over Year's Time

New numbers this morning from the state Labor Department show 96,306 laid-off workers filed first-time claims for unemployment benefits in March. It represents an increase of 126-percent from the same month a year ago.

The metro area with the highest jump in claims was Gainesville, followed by Rome and Brunswick.

Claims filed came from laid-off workers in manufacturing, trade, construction, as well as administrative and support services.

Massive Attendance at Atlanta Job Fair

Tens of thousands of job-seekers flooded a career expo and job fair held at The World Congress Center in Atlanta, Wednesday evening, Mar. 11, 2009. (Photo: Dave Bender)

Lines of job applicants dressed for success snaked across an entire floor of the exhibition center.

Applicants from across the southeast interviewed with representatives from over a hundred private and public employers, temp agencies, schools, training colleges and service organizations.


Dozens of banks of computers with internet access allowed applicants to upload resumes, and connect with potential employers at the career expo and job fair held at The World Congress Center in Atlanta, Wednesday evening, Mar. 11, 2009. (Photo: Dave Bender)

Georgia Department of Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond says he’s encouraged by the conservatively-estimated 20,000-person turnout.

He says applicants’ willingness to accept work in new fields is key in finding a job in what he characterized as the roughest employment market since the Great Depression:

"The individuals who will be most successful in this economic downturn, in terms of finding jobs, will be the ones who are most adaptable to change, who are most flexible, who will look at the landscape and say, 'Look – this may be a temporary opportunity that will help me pay my bills, and better position myself for the opportunities that are in the near future.''

Job-seekers packed a dozen workshops in polishing jobs- seeking skills, starting a business, managing personal finances and health care, and coping with extended unemployment.

Click here for more GPB News coverage of the unemployment situation statwewide.

Georgia Unemployment Checks Get Boost

Georgians drawing unemployment benefits will soon see a boost of $25 in their checks. The average check will rise to $292, while the maximum check goes up to $355. The money is coming from the federal stimulus. Governor Sonny Perdue and state Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond signed-off on an agreement to accept a portion of the available $220 million for unemployment. But the Governor has expressed concern that accepting all of it could create long-term costs to the state. Georgia is expected to receive a total of around six-billion dollars to potentially help 50 programs in the state. Meanwhile, Governor Perdue continues his meetings with fellow governors in Washington D.C. Monday, the group met with President Obama at the White House.

Perdue Could Reject Some Stimulus Funds

Governor Sonny Perdue is considering leaving some of Georgia’s portion of federal stimulus money on the table. That’s because he doesn’t like some strings that might be attached.

Perdue shares an opinion of some fellow Republican governors that accepting all of a state’s allotment of stimulus funding might not serve the best interests of their residents.

Perdue spokesman Bert Brantley says there are about 50 programs that could get a boost by the roughly $6 billion Georgia would get. But for some areas of need--like more unemployment benefits--it’s not a slam dunk to take the funds:

"If there’s a pot of money that’s available that is going to require us to spend more money down-the-line and raise taxes on Georgians in order to meet those obligations, then that’s something we’re going to take a very hard look at."

Some other Republican governors, like South Carolina’s Mark Sanford, share the concern over unemployment benefits and the stimulus.

Perdue is in Washington D.C. continuing a National Governor’s Association meeting. Today the group is meeting with President Obama. Perdue returns to Georgia mid-week.