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 Dec. 14, 2006. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Georgia's initial unemployment insurance claims rise in November ATLANTA The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that 47,487 laid-off workers filed first-time claims for unemployment insurance benefits in November, up 20 percent from October. Initial claims were also up from 36,042 filed in November 2005 for an over-the-year increase of 32 percent. Most of the increase in claims over the month and year came in manufacturing and construction. Initial claims are considered to be a leading economic indicator, because they measure newly laid-off workers. The 14 metro areas of the state and the changes in their initial claims from October to November are as follows: Albany, up 171, or 25 percent, from 684 to 855. Athens, up 116, or 24 percent, from 481 to 597. Atlanta, up 2,398, or 17 percent, from 14,292 to 16,690. Augusta, up 83, or 5.6 percent, from 1,479 to 1,562. Brunswick, up 72, or 24 percent, from 295 to 367. Columbus, up 115, or 12 percent, from 973 to 1,088. Dalton, up 542, or 23 percent, from 2,352 to 2,894. Gainesville, up 77, or 18 percent, from 420 to 497. Hinesville, down 89, or 33 percent, from 272 to 183. Macon, up 102, or 11 percent, from 923 to 1,025. Rome, down 24, or 3.5 percent, from 692 to 668. Savannah, up 192, or 23 percent, from 830 to 1,022. Valdosta, up 259, or 35 percent, from 746 to 1,005. Warner Robins, down 106, or 30 percent, from 356 to 250. 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 CY-06-525