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 July 12, 2007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Georgia's initial unemployment insurance claims decline in June ATLANTA The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that 33,527 laid-off workers filed first-time claims for unemployment insurance benefits in June, down 2.9 percent from May. Initial claims were down from 34,275 filed in June 2006 for an over-the-year decrease of 2.2 percent. The decrease in claims came mostly in the service-related industries. 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 May to June are as follows: Albany, down 124, or 14.8 percent, from 839 to 715. Athens, down 73, or 13.4 percent, from 546 to 473. Atlanta, up 631, or 4.2 percent, from 15,096 to 15,727. Augusta, down 48, or 3.2 percent, from 1,497 to 1,449. Brunswick, down 55, or 18.3 percent, from 301 to 246. Columbus, up 182, or 24.7 percent, from 737 to 919. Dalton, up 10, or one percent, from 976 to 986. Gainesville, down 350, or 36.4 percent, from 962 to 612. Hinesville, down five, or 3.1 percent, from 161 to 156. Macon, down 241, or 21.4 percent, from 1,127 to 886. Rome, up 64, or 12.5 percent, from 511 to 575. Savannah, up 311, or 38.7 percent, from 803 to 1,114. Valdosta, up 20, or 3.2 percent, from 632 to 652. Warner Robins, down 19, or 6.8 percent, from 281 to 262. 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-07-245