Georgia Unemployment Rate In Double Digits

Nearly a half a million Georgians are out of work. The Department of Labor released its June unemployment figures today. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is at 10.1 percent—the highest ever recorded in the state.

"We are continuing to see lay off in construction, manufacturing, really across all sectors," says Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond, "except of course health care and education."

In June, 483,394 Georgians were looking for work.

Thurmond calls on Georgia leaders to engage the private sector to create jobs. He also encourages the unemployed to seek more education and training to prepare for future jobs.

"Green jobs is a growing industry, ways to save energy, maximize potential in that arena," says Thurmond. "I think manufacturing, but with a more highly skilled work force will create employment opportunity in the future."

Right now about a third of jobless Georgians receive unemployment benefits from the state. Georgia's unemployment rate is worse than the nation's. It's at 9.5 percent.

State Unemployment Hits Double-Digits

Georgia’s unemployment rate has now hit double-digits. The mark of 10.1 percent for June is the highest ever recorded in the state, and represents more than 480,000 people looking for work. State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond says as Georgia "is in the midst of a deepening economic crisis”, state leaders need to develop a bi-partisan recovery plan to help dig out of the economic malaise. Job losses again were seen in areas such as professional and business services, manufacturing and construction. However, job gains were recorded in healthcare and educational services, with a spike of 12,000 jobs.

Unemployment Up 95% Over Year

The Georgia Department of Labor says 88,756 laid-off workers filed first-time claims for state unemployment insurance benefits in June, an increase of 94.8 percent from June of 2008. The areas with the highest percentage of increase in claims from June 2008 to June 2009 were Rome up 181.0 percent, Gainesville up 172.8 percent, and Athens up 163.2 percent. The areas with the smallest increase in claims were Dalton up 48.5 percent, Albany up 66.3 percent and Savannah up 68.7 percent. State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond said rising unemployment continues to plague local economies throughout North Georgia. Most of the state initial claims were filed by laid-off workers in manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, construction, and administrative and support services.

(Associated Press)

Georgia Gazette Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Join host Rickey Bevington tonight for Georgia Gazette. On tonight's show… Combating childhood obesity… striking the right balance between getting kids fit while maintaining their self esteem. How people are managing stay afloat in the county with the worst unemployment rate in the state. And the father of gospel music was a Georgia man… we remember Thomas Dorsey on his birthday. These stories and more tonight on Georgia Gazette at 6, 7 in Athens, re-broadcast at 11, hear our show any time at www.gpb.org/georgiagazette, and download a free podcast on iTunes.

State Unemployment Rate Hits New High

There are new and sobering numbers this morning on unemployment in Georgia. The state’s labor department says the seasonally adjustment jobless rate for May is now the highest ever recorded in Georgia—9.7 percent. That is up five-tenths of a percentage point from April’s mark. And for a 19th consecutive month, Georgia's rate is above the national rate(currently 9.4 percent). Commissiioner Michael Thurmond says the new rate reminds us "the road to economic recovery will be long and difficult." Last month, more than 463,000 Georgians were looking for work.

DHR: Don't Fear Applying for Food Stamps

Officials from the Georgia Department of Human Resources say if you're out of work and receiving extended unemployment insurance thanks to federal stimulus dollars, don't be afraid to apply for food stamps.

The comments come after a newspaper report of a Marietta man who could not get food stamps because he got an extra $25 week for unemployment.

Dina Smith is a spokesperson for the Department of Human Resources. She says the man was never eligible for food stamps in the first place, because he earned too much.

"He came with the additional money already in tow, which is not the way that story sounds but I'm telling you that's the bottom line and truth. When he came, he was already getting the additional money, and he was not eligible."

Food stamp eligibility guidelines -- including income amounts -- are set by federal law. And, recipients of unemployment insurance cannot refuse the extra money provided by stimulus monies.

Latest Unemployment News in Georgia

The number of first time unemployment insurance claims has slowed over this same time last year.

State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond says that may be an indicator of stability in the state's job market.

"These initial unemployment claim numbers are not as worse as they have been. We've been experiencing triple digit increases year over year. And, a 68.7 percent increase last month in May. Although it's not good by any stretch of the imagination, it's not bad as it has been."

And, there's more good news for some of the state's metro areas.

"Eleven of Georgia's 14 metropolitan areas actually have a decrease in month over month initial claims between the months of April and May," says Thurmond.

Georgia recently received 152-million in federal stimulus dollars to extend unemployment insurance for nearly 160-thousand out of work residents. Those checks went out earlier this week.

Extended Unemployment Benefits In The Mail

Good news for the unemployed in Georgia—those on the rolls of the Department of Labor and who qualify will soon be getting extended jobless benefits checks. The payments are part of the state’s emergency extension of benefits-made possible by the federal stimulus and approved by the state legislature. This extension is expected to bolster a little more than 40,000 jobless Georgians with another 20 weeks of payments.

Meanwhile, just released this morning, new numbers from the state’s Department of Labor. Statistics show a continued increase in claims filed for unemployment benefits, but a rise at a slower rate. 75,436 workers who filed claims represent an increase of 68-percent over May of last year. But, officials say initial claims from this April to last month were down in 11 of Georgia’s 14 metro areas.

Athens One Of Best In U.S. To Live

There is more national recognition for a northeast Georgia city. Athens has been rated as the 5th-best place to live in the U.S. Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine compiled the list, noting that while southern charm clings to the streets, the air is charged with change. The magazine also points to the city’s relatively low unemployment rate of 6.3 percent in this tough economy. Last month Athens took a ranking of #7 nationally by Forbes magazine as one of the best cities for jobs.

State Unemployment Nearly Steady

State labor officials report a 9.3 percent unemployment rate for April, almost unchanged from the previous two months. State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond says the numbers suggest to him Georgia's labor market "may be beginning to stabilize."

Meanwhile, in northwest Georgia, a carpet dye company is set to add 300 jobs to the region. Bently Dye made expansion plans in the Calhoun area late last year with the purchase of 42 acres for a new plant to make polyester and carpet yarn. Currently, the company employs 80 people.

Procter and Gamble Job Losses in Albany

Proctor and Gamble is asking 300 employees in Southwest Georgia to retire early from their paper products plant in Albany.
This is the second major economic setback in Albany this year. Back in March, Cooper Tire announced it was shutting down its plant there. By the end of the year, 14-hundred people will have lost their jobs.
Now one of the city's other largest employers, Proctor and Gamble, says it's cutting 300 employees through what the company is calling, "voluntary separations."
Employees will be offered a severance package according to Vince Falcione with Proctor and Gamble.

"It will include severance pay. It will include an extension of employee benefits. It will also include career counseling and assistance."

The Georgia Department of Labor stresses that voluntary separations are different from layoffs, and because of that unemployment benefits are determined on a case-by-case basis.

JOBS Act Threatened by Declining Revenue

Although Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke predicts the nation's economy could begin to improve sometime later this year, here in Georgia state revenue is still on the decline. And, that could mean trouble for a proposal to give tax credits to some businesses.

Earlier this year, the state legislature approved a measure intended to put Georgians back to work. The so-called Job Opportunity and Business Success Act includes a tax credit for hiring and keeping someone twenty-four months.

It sounded like a good idea, considering Georgia's unemployment rate currently stands at 9.3 percent. But, at the last minute lawmakers added a provision that removes the capital gains tax on investments. And, that’s why Governor Perdue is hesitant to sign the bill into law, because he says the state is already running a deficit.

"Georgia is a balanced budget state. And, it's very difficult to do the stimulus type bills in a state that's starved for revenue and cash at the same time. That kinda destroys a supply side theory within a state government because you can't afford that period of time before the supplies kicks in."

The Governor has until May 13 to veto or sign the legislation. Meanwhile, officials April revenue numbers aren't in yet, but Perdue says things don't look good.

End of the Line For Cartersville Train Company

A rail car company in Northwest Georgia has told state officials over six hundred people will be laid off this summer.

Employees at the Trinity North American Freight Car plant in Cartersville make rail road equipment. And by the end of August, that work will be idled as the plant is closed and some 659 fewer employees will be laid off.

The company did release a statement saying "The plant closure is due to a downturn in orders in that sector of the business."

Northwest Georgia is already reeling from chronic double digit unemployment. Counselors from the Georgia Department of Labor will meet with Trinity workers next week to go over services that the state agency can provide. Trinity’s Cartersville plant has been open since 2001.

Rural Unemployment in Double Digits

Georgia Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond testified to Congress Today (Thursday). Thurmond was there to ask for more federal money and brief lawmakers how current stimulus funding is being spent to aid the unemployed in Georgia.

While Atlanta and Macon are seeing the job picture brighten up, much, if not all of rural Georgia is facing double digit unemployment rates.

According to the state labor department, there are three---what could
be described as--- blight belts in the state:

The corridor between Atlanta and Augusta, the Wiregrass highway in South Georgia, and the region between Atlanta and Chattanooga.

Some counties in these regions are facing unemployment as high as twenty percent.

State labor commissioner Michael Thurmond has warned the manufacturing sector in these areas is likely to continue to struggle. Thurmond is in Washington looking for
more federal funds in part, to maintain the future solvency of the unemployment trust fund as jobless rates, especially in rural areas, remains high.

Labor Commish Thurmond To Testify In D.C.

Georgia Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond is in Washington D.C. this morning. He’ll be testifying before a House Subcommittee about how well federal stimulus money has helped to boost unemployment benefits for states. Thurmond is expected to tell committee members the program is working, but challenges still remain. Currently, the average out-of-work Georgian gets $267 a week. The stimulus is adding an extra $25 weekly. Georgia’s jobless rate is 9.2 percent.

Labor Commissioner to Testify

Georgia Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond has been invited to address the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support in Washington, D. C. The subcommittee is reviewing the implementation and the impact of unemployment insurance provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Thurmond will testify on Thursday.

(Commissioner Thurmond News Release)

Perdue Signs Unemployment Law

Today Governor Sonny Perdue announced that House Bill 581 has been signed into law. The legislation will allow Georgia to draw down $226 million in federal funds to shore up the state’s unemployment trust fund. Perdue says it prevents tax increases on Georgia businesses so they can grow and create jobs. To qualify for the federal funds, the state expanded unemployment benefits by allowing people seeking part-time work to qualify for unemployment. In addition, Georgians can receive unemployment while in a training program if they were laid off from a declining occupation and are training for a high-demand occupation. These changes will cost the state less than $1.2 million a year.

(Governor Press Release)

No Change in GA Jobless Rate Feb-Mar '09

State labor officials say Georgia's unemployment rate did not increase from one month to the next for the first time in 20 months. The Georgia Department of Labor on Thursday reported a seasonally adjusted 9.2 percent jobless rate for March. That's the same as the revised rate for February. Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond said the better-than-expected jobless rate in March does not mark the end ofthe recession. He said it may be the "end of the beginning" of the severe economic downturn. The March jobless rate was up 3.6 percentage points from the same time last year. And Georgia's unemployment rate remained above the national rate of 8.5 percent for the 17th month in a row.

(Associated Press)

Pilgrims Pride to close Dalton plant

In Dalton, a chicken processing plant employing 280 people will close in the next sixty days.

Pilgram's Pride has been having financial difficulties for the past year and even filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy in December. And in a statement on Monday, CEO Don Jackson said the Texas based
poultry producer will "continue to look for opportunities to improve our cost structure as we reorganize the company."

Part of that means shutting down the Dalton Plant. Those operations will be consolidated with another plant in Chattanooga. If there's any good news, it's that the comapny's
Cohutta Georgia hatchery will stay open.

Over the past year and a half, the Dalton area has seen a string of plant closings or consolidations. Unemployment in the area is currently at just under twelve percent, according to the state department of labor.

Governor Perdue Requests Presidential Major Disaster Declaration

Governor Sonny Perdue today requested a Presidential disaster declaration which would lead to federal aid for severe weather and flood damages in 33 Georgia counties.

“The recent floods in south Georgia have adversely impacted the lives of many Georgians,” said Governor Perdue. “The requested disaster funding will help residents, businesses and local governments recover from this disaster and rebuild their lives.”

Governor Perdue also issued an Executive Order today declaring a state of emergency in 17 additional counties affected by heavy rain and severe weather that have passed through Georgia since March 27. The counties are: Appling, Bacon, Brantley, Clinch, Dodge, Dougherty, Echols, Grady, Irwin, Lanier, Montgomery, Pierce, Toombs, Upson, Ware, Wheeler and Wilcox.

Previously, 16 counties were included in the State of Emergency orders, including Atkinson, Baker, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Calhoun, Coffee, Colquitt, Decatur, Early, Lowndes, Miller, Mitchell, Tift, Turner and Worth. When joint state-federal damage assessments began on April 7, officials determined that more counties needed to be added emergency declaration. The additional counties reported disruptions to a large number of roads, bridges, drainage systems, waste treatment facilities and other crucial infrastructure.

Some examples of the impact of the severe weather and flooding on these counties include: 36 local road closures; 16 federal and state route closures; five damaged wastewater treatment facilities; five damaged neighborhood or community sanitary sewer lift stations; three damaged public drinking water systems; six damaged bridges; and 20 reported school system closures.

Governor Perdue's request follows joint surveys conducted over the past several days by local, state and federal damage assessment teams, which is a requirement of the disaster declaration process. Initial damage assessments conducted over a widespread area revealed that more than 600 homes were damaged.

Governor Perdue requested Public Assistance (PA) programs for 30 of the counties: Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Baker, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Calhoun, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Dodge, Early, Echols, Grady, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Miller, Mitchell, Montgomery, Pierce, Tift, Toombs, Turner, Upson, Ware, Wheeler, Wilcox and Worth. PA programs provide funding for debris removal, emergency protective measures, roads and bridges, water control facilities, buildings and equipment, utilities, and parks and recreational facilities.

In addition, the Governor requested Individual Assistance (IA) programs for 18 of the counties: Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Coffee, Colquitt, Decatur, Dougherty, Echols, Lanier, Lowndes, Miller, Mitchell, Pierce, Tift, Ware, Wheeler and Worth. IA programs include funding for the Individuals and Households Program, Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Crisis Counseling, Disaster Legal Services, and Small Business Administration disaster loans.

“Damage assessments completed to date confirm that damage from the flooding left hundreds of Georgians in need of assistance,” said Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) Director Charley English. “Our agency will continue working with local emergency officials to provide needed state resources and pursue available federal assistance.”

Joint state and federal damage assessment teams will continue to work to determine the full scope of the damage to businesses, residences and public facilities in all counties reporting damage to ensure that all who qualify for assistance will be included.

GEMA is the lead state agency for coordination of emergency and disaster response activities. For more emergency information, visit GEMA's Web site at www.gema.ga.gov. To learn how to prepare for disaster, visit www.ready.ga.gov . For more information on federal assistance programs please go to www.fema.gov.

(Governor's Office News Release)