Georgia 
 
Department of Labor 
 
NEWS RELEASE 
 
SUITE 642 
 
 
 
(404) 232-3685 
 
148 INTERNATIONAL BOULEVARD, N.E. 
 
 
 
ATLANTA, GA 30303-1751 
 
 
 
FAX (404) 657-9996 
 
 Communications@dol.state.ga.us 
 
Michael Thurmond 
Commissioner 
 
Sam Hall 
Director of Communications 
 
Nov. 11, 2004.........................................................FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
 
Georgia's initial unemployment insurance claims decline 
 
ATLANTA - The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that 31,607 laid-off workers filed first-time claims for unemployment insurance benefits in October. This represents a decrease of 2.6 percent from September when 32,452 claims were filed. Initial claims are considered to be a leading economic indicator, because they measure newly laid-off workers. 
 
The seven metro areas of the state and their changes in initial unemployment insurance claims from September to October are as follows: 
 Albany, down 47, or 10.2 percent, from 459 to 412.  Athens, up one, or three-tenths percent, from 391 to 392.  Atlanta, down 1,439, or 10.1 percent, from 14,303 to 12,864.  Augusta, up 272, or 28.3 percent, from 961 to 1,233.  Columbus, up 91, or 13.2 percent, from 689 to 780.  Macon, up 150, or 11.9 percent, from 1,261 to 1,411.  Savannah, down 120, or 16.0 percent, from 748 to 628. 
 
Georgia labor market data are not seasonally adjusted and are available at www.dol.state.ga.us. 
 
NEWS MEDIA NEEDING MORE INFORMATION MAY CALL (404) 232-3685. TABLES AND GRAPHS REFLECTING LABOR MARKET DATA ARE AVAILABLE AT http://www.dol.state.ga.us/pr/current_data.htm 
FY-04-683