Dimensions: measuring Georgia's workforce, Vol. 29, no. 3 (Mar. 2003)

March 2003 Data
Highlights
Generation Y: The Young and Restless in Georgia's labor market. .......... page 2
Learn about the current situation of youth employment in Georgia, and how working-age youths have been affected by the economic downturn. Part One of a Three Part Series on Generational Employment in Georgia.
Unemployment rate remains steady in March .................... page 10
Essentially unchanged over the month, Georgia's unemployment rate remained at 4.6 percent in March.
Although Georgia posted the lowest rate in the Southeast for the third straight month, the gap between its closest challengers narrowed.

Volume XXIX, Number 3
Data Tables
6 Georgia Nonagricultural Employment 7 Atlanta Nonagricultural Employment 8 Albany & Athens Nonagricultural Employment 9 Augusta-Aiken & Columbus Nonagricultural
Employment 10 Macon & Savannah Nonagricultural Employment 14 Georgia, Metro Areas & U.S. Labor Force
Estimates 15 Georgia Labor Force Estimates by County 20 Georgia Unemployment Rates by County 21 Georgia Unemployment Insurance Claims
by County

Initial claims up 10.5 percent over the month... ................... Page 21
Average duration of benefits drops for second consecutive month.
Mass Layoffs Statistics (MLS) ... Page 22
Employers in Georgia initiated 127 mass layoff actions during the 1st quarter of 2003.
WI&A Customer Satisfaction Team .................. page 23

Michael L. Thurmond, Commissioner Georgia Department of Labor
Workforce Information & Analysis 148 Andrew Young International Blvd., N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1751 (404) 232-3875
Fax (404) 232-3888 Workforce.Info@dol.state.ga.us
Equal Opportunity Employer/Program Auxiliary Aids and Services Available upon
Request to Individuals with Disabilities

Dimensions - Measuring Georgia's Workforce

Generation-Y: The Young and Restless in Georgia's labor market

If you've never owned a cassette tape, often convey your sentiments with an "emoticon," or can translate popular "IMing" (instant messaging) phrases, such as "ttyl" (talk to you later), you are probably a member of Generation-Y. Also known as "Millennials," "The Net Gen," and "Generation `Y'erless," Generation-Y includes persons born between 1977 and 1997 who would have been between the ages of three and 24 when Census 2000 was conducted on April 1, 2000.
According to Census 2000, the population of Georgians age three to 24 was over 2.6 million, accounting for 32.3 percent of the total Georgia resident population. Since 1980, the number of Georgians falling within this age group has increased by 25 percent. The sizeable increase in the 3 to 24 year-old age group is known as the "baby boom echo," or the "baby boomlet," because these are the children and grandchildren of baby boomers. The baby boomlet peaked in 1990, when 4.2 million babies were born -- just 110,000 fewer than the post World War II baby boom's peak in 1961. From 1990 to 1997, the 18and-under population grew 8.3 percent nationally, compared with 14 percent growth for Georgia. According to the U.S. Department of Education, Georgia ranked third in the nation in terms of the projected enrollment increase in public elementary and secondary schools between 1998 and 2008.
The age structure of a population can have an impact on a variety of areas both directly and indirectly, not the least of which is the labor market. Although right now the labor market is dominated by the aging baby boom generation, the workforce has already begun to transition from an older more homogeneous workforce to a younger and more diverse one. The older members of the echo boom are already entering the labor force and attending college, while the younger members of this generation are still in school.
Youth employment has been a part of the American social fabric since the arrival of the first colonists who put great stock in the value of work. Before the Industrial Revolution, children mainly worked on family farms and other small family enterprises. Yet, with the advent of the modern factory in the late 1800s and the mass movement of people from the country into the cities, women and children came to be viewed as cheap and manageable sources

of labor in many urban factory industries. Georgia's child labor law was written in 1878, but back in those days, few states had laws regulating the age of workers, hours of work or other conditions. Eventually, concern for children's welfare and educational development mounted, and in the early 1900s many states passed legislation specifying a minimum age for factory workers.
It was not until 1938, with the passage of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) that meaningful federal child labor legislation was enacted. The FLSA remains the federal law governing child labor. The child labor provisions of the FLSA establish a minimum age of 16 years for covered nonagricultural employment. However, allowances are made for 14 and 15 year-olds in occupations other than mining and manufacturing as long as the employment is confined to periods that do not interfere with their schooling, health and well-being. Teenagers 16 years of age and older may work at any time of the day for unlimited hours.
Every state has its own child labor laws. While state legislation tends to share considerable overlap with the federal legislation, the state laws may be more or less restrictive than the federal laws in the range of occupations covered and in the age brackets to which they apply. In cases where both state and federal laws apply, the more stringent standard of the two is enforced. Enforcement of child labor laws is the responsibility of the state labor department.
The FLSA prohibits minors under age 18 from working in occupations that are identified as particularly hazardous, such as operating dangerous machinery, handling pesticides or explosives, and transporting hazardous materials. Currently, there are 17 such occupations. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 644 employees under the age of 25 died from work-related injuries in the year 2000; 21 percent of those fatalities occurred in the Southeast and 3.3 percent in Georgia. According to the National Consumers League, the five worst teen jobs by rate of injury or death are 1) delivery and other driving of motorized equipment, 2) working alone in cash-based/late-night establishments, 3) cooking, 4) construction and work at extreme heights, and 5) street selling or peddling.

17 Hazardous Occupations Prohibited for Working Minors

Manufacturing or storage involving explosives
Motor vehicle operation Coal mining Logging and sawmilling Power-driven woodworking Exposure to radioactive substances Power-driven hoisting apparatus Power-driven metalwork

Mining other than coal Power-driven meat processing Power-driven baking Power-driven paper manufacturing Brick, tile and related stone manufacturing Power-driven sawing or shearing Wrecking or demolition Roofing Excavation

As the summer months approach, the majority of Georgia high school students will participate in the labor market as either employees or freelance workers, and in doing so, will gain valuable experience which will serve them well later in life. Research suggests that youth employment can enhance skill development and socialization into the world of work, and steer children away from delinquency. While the inherent value of youth work experience cannot be overstated, it is imperative that working children and their parents, employers, and school authorities are well-informed about the hazards associated with certain types of work and the relevant legal proscriptions to ensure a positive and healthy labor market experience.
In Georgia, the minimum age for employment is 14. Workers (whether paid or unpaid) under the age of 18 must obtain an employment certificate, in most cases from the school they attend or the County School Superintendent. On school days, minors 15 years of age and younger are permitted to work a maximum of four hours per day and no more than eight hours per week. On non-school days, they are permitted to work eight hours per day and a maximum of 40 hours per week. In addition, minors under 15 years of age are not permitted to work between the hours of 7:00 PM and 7:00 AM during the school

2

Dimensions - Measuring Georgia's Workforce

year. During the summer (from June 1st until Labor Day) permitted evening work hours are extended to 9:00 PM.
Young workers may not dispense, serve, sell or take orders for alcoholic beverages. According to the Georgia law, minors working for a parent/guardian who owns the business, and minors who are employed in agriculture or domestic service are exempt from all but the hazardous/prohibited occupation restrictions. The FLSA prohibits farmworkers under age 16 from working during school hours, but it does not restrict employment during other times of the day or the number of hours of work.
Due to a steep increase in the number of recorded child labor violations in the late 1980s, the U.S. Department of Labor stepped up its enforcement efforts considerably. As a result, despite a significant increase in the population of working age youths, the "echo boom," the proportion of youths illegally employed has dropped nearly 40 percent nationwide since the 1970s.
To what degree and where are our young people working, and how have they been affected by the recent economic downturn? Within the constraints of the child labor regulations, Georgia's youths engage in a significant amount of work activity, both in informal jobs, such as mowing lawns and babysitting, and in regular employee-type jobs. According to data from Census 2000, echo boomers (aged 16 to 24) made up 16 percent of Georgia's civilian labor force.
Male echo boomers age 16 to 24 fared slightly better in Georgia's labor market than their female peers, and better than other males their age in the Southeast region as a whole. Among the "millennial" men in Georgia's labor force, 86.3 percent were employed and only 13.7 percent were unemployed, compared to 85.6 percent and 14.5 percent for the Southeast, respectively. Female echo boomers age 16 to 24 in Georgia's labor force matched the average for the Southeast with 85.1 percent employed and 14.9 percent unemployed.
The younger echo boomers aged 16 to 19 constituted close to six percent of the total labor force in 2000. Among the 16 to 19 year-olds of both sexes included in the civilian labor force, 80.2 percent were employed and 19.8 percent were unemployed. Unemployment rates for 16 to 19 year-olds are normally around 19 percent, considerably higher than the rate for the labor force as a whole, which has been running at around four or five percent in Georgia. The

higher rates for youths reflect the limited range of jobs available to persons with the least labor market experience and the most limited job skills. They also reflect the more transitory nature of youth employment, as youths continually cycle in and out of school. As a result, youths often have repeated spells of unemployment during the year and are more likely to be counted among the unemployed in any given month.

Many students are employed during the school year: one-third of all sophomores; and more than two-fifths of all juniors and seniors. During the summer more than 50 percent of teens are employed. Teens work an average of 18 hours per week during the school year and 23 hours during the summer. The majority of teen employees work during the day shift, although 28 percent work on an evening, night or rotating shift.

Males are more likely to have employee jobs, while females are more likely to do freelance work. Youths are most frequently employed in retail trade and services industries, especially eating and drinking places and grocery stores. Many work as cashiers or as janitors, cooks or cleaners. Males often work as construction laborers or in lawn care, while their female peers often perform childcare or work as general office clerks or receptionists.

In 2002, the median weekly earnings of full-time workers age 16 to 24 was $381; $392 for males and $366 for females. While their earnings are significantly less than any other age group, the buying power of teen workers exceeds $100 billion a year. Unlike previous generations of young workers who contributed earnings to the household account, today's youth are more likely to spend their earnings on personal discretionary items. But not all teen work is self-motivated. According to a 2002 report from the BLS on volunteering in the U.S., 26.9 percent of teenagers volunteered their time to raise funds, campaign, teach, coach, help with events, and other activities.

According to a 2002 report by the center for Labor Market Studies, young people ages 16 to 24 have disproportionately borne the brunt of the economic recession, suffering 53 percent of the nationwide job losses, although they only comprise 15 percent of the labor force. Between the summer of 2000 and the summer of 2002, the employment to population ratio for 16 to 19 year-olds fell from 46 percent to 38.9 percent. The teen employment rate for the summer of 2002 was the lowest since the summer of 1965. In other words, the recession for young adults has been more like a depression.

In Georgia, unemployment among workers under age 25 has shot up considerably over the past two years. The average monthly number of insured unemployed under 25 was relatively stable between 1997 and 2000, ranging between 2,200 and 2,400 per month. Since 2000, however, average monthly unemployment has more than doubled to 5,453 in 2002. Since the recession began in March 2000, the proportion of unemployed workers in Georgia who are under 25 has risen from 5.7 to 7.3 percent in March 2003. Past evidence from the recession and jobless recovery of 1990-92 indicates that there is a substantial lag (18 months) in the recovery of teen employment rates following the official end of the recession. Under the circumstances, many Georgia teens will likely face another long, restless and jobless summer in 2003, but not by any choice of their own.
Source: Georgia Department of Labor, Unemployment Statistics.

Insured unemployed in Georgia under 25 years old
8000

7000

6000

5000

4000

3000

2000

1000

0

97

98

99

00

01

02

03

For more information about youth employment or child labor laws, please visit our website at http://www.dol.state.ga.us/child-labor.htm

3

March Employment Situation

Georgia's nonfarm payrolls gained 33,600 jobs in March. After seasonal adjustment, the gain was only 14,100, but it was still the second largest employment increase in the nation, after New Jersey. Declines continued in manufacturing, but all other industry sectors posted job gains over the month.
Pinched by higher input costs and low demand, employment in manufacturing continued to decline with non-durable goods accounting for the majority of the loss. Manufacturing dropped 3,300 workers from payrolls over the month, and job losses total nearly 16,800 over the year.
The construction industry added 6,200 jobs in March, as all the component industries gained employment over the month. Combined with January and February, construction payrolls increased by 8,500 in the first quarter of 2003. The largest over-the-month increase came in specialty trade contractors, which added 4,900 jobs in March.
Payrolls in trade, transportation and utilities were relatively stable in March. Within the trade sector, an increase of 1,800 jobs in wholesale trade offset a decline of 1,700 in retail. Food and beverage stores declined in March for the third consecutive month. Over the year, food and beverage store employment has declined by 6,100 or 7.3 percent. General merchandise stores added jobs in March for the first time since December 2002.
Utilities payrolls were essentially unchanged over the month, while a mix of job losses and gains were distributed across the transportation and warehousing industries. The 1,800 jobs added in truck transportation more than offset a loss of 500 jobs in air transportation. War in Iraq coupled with rising jet fuel costs, decreased business travel, increased insurance costs, and economic uncertainty, continue to hurt the struggling airline industry. Warehousing and storage payrolls declined by 700 over the month, but have grown seven percent over the year. Since

peaking in December 2001, employment in the trade, transportation and utilities sector has declined by 73,300 or 8.1 percent.
Employment in the information sector expanded marginally this month as a gain of 200 jobs in cable and other subscription programming services countered a loss of 200 jobs in wired telecommunications services. Internet service providers, web search portals and computer and data processing firms added 400 jobs over the month, despite an over-the-year loss of 1,500 jobs.
Financial activities payrolls increased by 1,000 in March, primarily in real estate, rental and leasing companies as the spring build-up period began in earnest. With the record lows in interest rates, the real estate industry may have gotten a strong boost. Throughout the recession, the residential real estate industry has done better than the commercial side of the industry. Finance and insurance firms reduced payrolls for the second consecutive month.
Professional and business services firms really ramped up hiring in March, adding 13,600 workers to their payrolls. This over-the-month gain was the largest increase in any single month for the sector since the Olympics in July 1996. Close to two-thirds of the increase was in the administrative and support, waste management and remediation services sector, which has added 10,600 jobs in the past two months. Approximately 45 percent of the job gains in the past two months have occurred in employment services, also referred to as personnel supply or temporary staffing services. Over the year, employment services' payrolls have increased by 15,400 jobs, or 14 percent. However, the bulk of the March job gain in administrative and support services came in landscaping services, with small gains also in collection and security agencies and other facilities support services. Accounting, tax preparation and bookkeeping payrolls added 1,500 jobs in March, as tax season drew to a close. In the first quarter of 2003, this sector added 4,800 jobs. Professional, scientific and technical services added 4,500 jobs in March, an impressive over-the-month growth rate of 2.3 percent. Computer systems design payrolls grew by 1,000 in March, more than making up for the losses in February. Management, scientific and technical consulting firms added 1,800 workers in March, more than offsetting losses in the prior two months. Since reaching a peak employment level in September 2000, however, employment in this industry has declined 14.3 percent.
Educational and health services payrolls were up 1,800 in March, and have increased 7,600 over the past year. March's growth came primarily in health care and social assistance payrolls, increasing 1,900 over the month and 6,300 over the year. Most of the gain was concentrated in hospital employment. Until recently, private education resisted the general sluggishness of the U.S. economy. In fact, between 2000 and 2002, the number of jobs in private education increased by 13.7 percent. Over the first quarter of this year, however, employment in private education, has declined by 1,200. Declines in institutions' endowment funds may partially explain educational institutions' financial problems.
Leisure and hospitality employment increased 8,800 over the month, primarily in food services and drinking places. Lodging places and amusements and recreation did not hire a typical number of workers for the second month of seasonal hiring. Reduced travel, likely due to economic and geopolitical uncertainties, has continued to bode ill for the lodging and recreation industries.
For more information, please contact Lili Stern at (404) 232-3875 or (800) 338-2082 Fax (404) 232-3888 Email: Lili.Stern@dol.state.ga.us

4

Georgia Nonagricultural Employment (000s)

Preliminary MAR 2003

Revised FEB 2003

Revised MAR 2002

Change in Jobs from FEB 2003

Net

%

Change in Jobs from MAR 2002

Net

%

Total nonfarm

3,901.8

3,868.2

3,903.9

+33.6 +0.9

-2.1 -0.1

Total private

3,265.4

3,232.9

3,278.3

+32.5 +1.0

-12.9 -0.4

Goods producing

667.0

664.3

683.0

+2.7 +0.4

-16.0 -2.3

Service-providing

3,234.8

3,203.9

3,220.9

+30.9 +1.0 +13.9 +0.4

Natural resources and mining

11.7

11.9

12.7

-.2 -1.7

-1.0 -7.9

Construction

201.6

195.4

199.8

+6.2 +3.2

+1.8 +0.9

Construction of buildings

45.1

44.1

45.4

+1.0 +2.3

-.3 -0.7

Heavy and civil engineering construction

31.6

31.3

31.7

+.3 +1.0

-.1 -0.3

Specialty trade contractors

124.9

120.0

122.7

+4.9 +4.1

+2.2 +1.8

Manufacturing

453.7

457.0

470.5

-3.3 -0.7

-16.8 -3.6

Durable goods

200.2

199.9

207.8

+.3 +0.2

-7.6 -3.7

Wood product manufacturing

24.0

25.0

25.9

-1.0 -4.0

-1.9 -7.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing

33.9

34.3

36.9

-.4 -1.2

-3.0 -8.1

Non-durable goods

253.5

257.1

262.7

-3.6 -1.4

-9.2 -3.5

Food manufacturing

65.7

66.3

65.1

-.6 -0.9

+.6 +0.9

Textile mills

38.1

38.1

41.3

+.0 +0.0

-3.2 -7.7

Trade, transportation and utilities

827.7

827.5

826.5

+.2 +0.0

+1.2 +0.1

Wholesale trade

205.9

204.1

207.4

+1.8 +0.9

-1.5 -0.7

Retail trade

452.0

453.7

446.4

-1.7 -0.4

+5.6 +1.3

Food and beverage stores

77.3

78.0

83.4

-.7 -0.9

-6.1 -7.3

General merchandise stores

86.5

86.3

86.1

+.2 +0.2

+.4 +0.5

Transportation, warehousing and utilities

169.8

169.7

172.7

+.1 +0.1

-2.9 -1.7

Utilities

20.2

20.2

20.6

+.0 +0.0

-.4 -1.9

Transportation and warehousing

149.6

149.5

152.1

+.1 +0.1

-2.5 -1.6

Air transportation

39.5

40.0

39.6

-.5 -1.3

-.1 -0.3

Truck transportation

45.8

44.0

45.0

+1.8 +4.1

+.8 +1.8

Couriers and messengers

18.4

18.2

17.6

+.2 +1.1

+.8 +4.5

Warehousing and storage

24.6

25.3

22.8

-.7 -2.8

+1.8 +7.9

Information

127.3

127.0

141.5

+.3 +0.2

-14.2 -10.0

Cable and other subscription programming

5.8

5.6

6.0

+.2 +3.6

-.2 -3.3

Telecommunications

54.0

54.0

63.7

+.0 +0.0

-9.7 -15.2

Wired telecommunications carriers

32.3

32.5

36.5

-.2 -0.6

-4.2 -11.5

Wireless telecommunications carriers

14.9

14.9

14.6

+.0 +0.0

+.3 +2.1

Internet service providers, search portals & DP

20.3

19.9

21.8

+.4 +2.0

-1.5 -6.9

Financial activities

212.2

211.2

211.4

+1.0 +0.5

+.8 +0.4

Finance and insurance

155.2

155.3

154.8

-.1 -0.1

+.4 +0.3

Insurance carriers and related activities

66.2

66.2

65.5

+.0 +0.0

+.7 +1.1

Real Estate, rental and leasing

57.0

55.9

56.6

+1.1 +2.0

+.4 +0.7

Professional and business services

527.3

513.7

523.5

+13.6 +2.6

+3.8 +0.7

Professional, scientific and technical services

197.2

192.7

199.9

+4.5 +2.3

-2.7 -1.4

Accounting, tax preparation and bookkeeping

32.7

31.2

33.7

+1.5 +4.8

-1.0 -3.0

Architectural, engineering and related services

34.2

34.4

33.6

-.2 -0.6

+.6 +1.8

Computer systems design and related services

45.0

44.0

45.5

+1.0 +2.3

-.5 -1.1

Management, scientific and technical services

24.5

22.7

26.2

+1.8 +7.9

-1.7 -6.5

Management of companies and enterprises

73.9

73.6

73.9

+.3 +0.4

+.0 +0.0

Admin and support, waste mngmnt and remediation

256.2

247.4

249.7

+8.8 +3.6

+6.5 +2.6

Employment services

125.1

123.6

109.7

+1.5 +1.2 +15.4 +14.0

Educational and health services

377.5

375.7

369.9

+1.8 +0.5

+7.6 +2.1

Educational services

60.2

60.3

58.9

-.1 -0.2

+1.3 +2.2

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

19.1

18.7

16.8

+.4 +2.1

+2.3 +13.7

Health care and social assistance

317.3

315.4

311.0

+1.9 +0.6

+6.3 +2.0

Hospitals

108.6

107.4

105.9

+1.2 +1.1

+2.7 +2.5

Nursing and residential care facilities

48.2

48.0

46.8

+.2 +0.4

+1.4 +3.0

Social assistance

46.6

46.4

44.8

+.2 +0.4

+1.8 +4.0

Leisure and hospitality

335.7

326.9

330.7

+8.8 +2.7

+5.0 +1.5

Arts, entertainment, and recreation

36.0

35.3

35.9

+.7 +2.0

+.1 +0.3

Accommodation and food services

299.7

291.6

294.8

+8.1 +2.8

+4.9 +1.7

Food services and drinking places

262.6

255.4

254.7

+7.2 +2.8

+7.9 +3.1

Other services

190.7

186.6

191.8

+4.1 +2.2

-1.1 -0.6

Government

636.4

635.3

625.6

+1.1 +0.2 +10.8 +1.7

Federal government

95.7

95.6

96.4

+.1 +0.1

-.7 -0.7

Department of defense

32.7

32.7

33.6

+.0 +0.0

-.9 -2.7

State government

154.7

154.0

153.1

+.7 +0.5

+1.6 +1.0

State govt education

62.3

62.3

57.2

+.0 +0.0

+5.1 +8.9

Local government

386.0

385.7

376.1

+.3 +0.1

+9.9 +2.6

Local govt education

235.6

235.5

228.5

+.1 +0.0

+7.1 +3.1

Note: The data included in this release reflect the conversion from the 1987 Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) basis to the 2002 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) basis. Unlike the previous

publication structure under SIC, the new published series are not additive. These preliminary estimates were prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, based upon

monthly reports submitted by selected employers throughout Georgia. The estimates include all full- and part-time wage and salary workers who were employed during or received pay for any part of the pay

period that includes the twelfth of the month. Proprietors, domestic workers, self-employed persons, unpaid family workers and personnel of the armed forces are excluded. Estimates based on 2002 benchmark.

Source: Georgia Department of Labor, Workforce Information & Analysis

5

Atlanta Nonagricultural Employment (000s)

Preliminary MAR 2003

Revised FEB 2003

Revised MAR 2002

Change in Jobs from FEB 2003

Net

%

Change in Jobs from MAR 2002

Net

%

Total nonfarm Total private Goods producing Service-providing
Natural resources and mining Construction
Construction of buildings Specialty trade contractors Manufacturing Durable goods
Computer and electronic products Transportation equipment manufacturing Non-durable goods Food manufacturing Trade, transportation and utilities Wholesale trade Retail trade Food and beverage stores General merchandise stores Transportation, warehousing and utilities
Utilities Transportation and warehousing
Air transportation Truck transportation Couriers and messengers Warehousing and storage Information Cable and other subscription programming Telecommunications Wired telecommunications carriers Wireless telecommunications carriers Financial activities Finance and insurance Insurance carriers and related activities Real estate, rental and leasing Professional and business services Professional, scientific and technical services Accounting, tax preparation, and bookkeeping Architectural, engineering and related services Computer systems design and related services Management, scientific and technical services Management of companies and enterprises Admin and support, waste mngmnt and remediation Employment services Educational and health services Health care and social assistance Hospitals Social assistance Leisure and hospitality Arts, entertainment and recreation Accommodation and food services Food services and drinking places Other services Government Federal government State government Local government

2,181.6 1,890.4
287.4 1,894.2
1.7 119.3 26.2 76.1 166.4 79.3 14.1
7.8 87.1 26.8 497.5 140.8 245.9 42.0 43.4 110.8 10.5 100.3 38.3 26.7 14.2 11.1 98.2
4.8 43.0 27.0 13.0 143.7 105.8 45.8 37.9 364.7 149.3 20.7 25.0 34.2 20.1 55.1 160.3 72.5 203.2 164.5 57.9 25.9 191.1 23.1 168.0 147.1 104.6 291.2 47.4 57.2 186.6

2,156.0 1,864.9
282.6 1,873.4
1.7 114.5 25.9 72.1 166.4 78.8 14.0
7.8 87.6 27.0 499.6 140.4 248.7 42.3 43.7 110.5 10.5 100.0 38.8 24.0 14.1 11.5 98.2
4.6 43.0 27.2 13.0 142.8 104.7 46.2 38.1 351.8 145.4 18.8 25.2 33.3 19.1 54.6 151.8 71.9 202.6 164.1 57.1 26.0 185.9 22.6 163.3 143.1 101.4 291.1 47.6 57.2 186.3

2,170.7 1,888.1
291.9 1,878.8
1.9 118.9 26.0 75.9 171.1 85.5 14.7 12.4 85.6 22.0 501.3 142.8 244.5 45.4 44.7 114.0 10.6 103.4 38.5 24.5 14.3
11.7 109.0
5.0 51.7 30.9 12.2 146.8 107.5 47.7 39.3 358.9 150.3 23.3 25.9 34.7 21.9 54.6 154.0 69.0 197.8 162.2 56.7 25.2 189.6 22.4 167.2 145.0 92.8 282.6 46.6 57.5 178.5

+25.6 +25.5 +4.8 +20.8
+.0 +4.8
+.3 +4.0
+.0 +.5 +.1 +.0 -.5 -.2 -2.1 +.4 -2.8 -.3 -.3 +.3 +.0 +.3 -.5 +2.7 +.1 -.4 +.0 +.2 +.0 -.2 +.0 +.9 +1.1 -.4 -.2 +12.9 +3.9 +1.9 -.2 +.9 +1.0 +.5 +8.5 +.6 +.6 +.4 +.8 -.1 +5.2 +.5 +4.7 +4.0 +3.2 +.1 -.2 +.0 +.3

+1.2 +1.4 +1.7 +1.1 +0.0 +4.2 +1.2 +5.5 +0.0 +0.6 +0.7 +0.0 -0.6 -0.7 -0.4 +0.3 -1.1 -0.7 -0.7 +0.3 +0.0 +0.3 -1.3 +11.3 +0.7 -3.5 +0.0 +4.3 +0.0 -0.7 +0.0 +0.6 +1.1 -0.9 -0.5 +3.7 +2.7 +10.1 -0.8 +2.7 +5.2 +0.9 +5.6 +0.8 +0.3 +0.2 +1.4 -0.4 +2.8 +2.2 +2.9 +2.8 +3.2 +0.0 -0.4 +0.0 +0.2

+10.9 +2.3 -4.5 +15.4
-.2 +.4 +.2 +.2 -4.7 -6.2 -.6 -4.6 +1.5 +4.8 -3.8 -2.0 +1.4 -3.4 -1.3 -3.2 -.1 -3.1 -.2 +2.2 -.1 -.6 -10.8 -.2 -8.7 -3.9 +.8 -3.1 -1.7 -1.9 -1.4 +5.8 -1.0 -2.6 -.9 -.5 -1.8 +.5 +6.3 +3.5 +5.4 +2.3 +1.2 +.7 +1.5 +.7 +.8 +2.1 +11.8 +8.6 +.8 -.3 +8.1

+0.5 +0.1 -1.5 +0.8 -10.5 +0.3 +0.8 +0.3 -2.7 -7.3 -4.1 -37.1 +1.8 +21.8 -0.8 -1.4 +0.6 -7.5 -2.9 -2.8 -0.9 -3.0 -0.5 +9.0 -0.7 -5.1 -9.9 -4.0 -16.8 -12.6 +6.6 -2.1 -1.6 -4.0 -3.6 +1.6 -0.7 -11.2 -3.5 -1.4 -8.2 +0.9 +4.1 +5.1 +2.7 +1.4 +2.1 +2.8 +0.8 +3.1 +0.5 +1.4 +12.7 +3.0 +1.7 -0.5 +4.5

Note: The data included in this release reflect the conversion from the 1987 Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) basis to the 2002 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) basis. Unlike the previous
publication structure under SIC, the new published series are not additive. These preliminary estimates were prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, based upon monthly reports submitted by selected employers in the Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Newton, Paulding, Pickens, Rockdale, Spalding and Walton counties. The estimates include all full- and part-time wage and salary workers who were employed during or received pay for any part of the pay period that includes the twelfth of the month. Proprietors, domestic workers, self-employed persons, unpaid family workers and personnel of the armed forces are excluded. Estimates based on 2002 benchmark.
Source: Georgia Department of Labor, Workforce Information & Analysis
6

Albany Nonagricultural Employment (000s)

Preliminary MAR 2003

Revised FEB 2003

Revised MAR 2002

Change in Jobs

from FEB 2003

Net

%

Change in Jobs

from MAR 2002

Net

%

Total nonfarm Total private Goods producing Service-providing
Natural resources, mining and construction Manufacturing Trade, transportation and utilities
Wholesale trade Retail trade Transportation, warehousing and utilities Information Financial activities Professional and business services Educational and health services Leisure and hospitality Other services Government Federal government State and local government

57.1

56.9

45.7

45.5

10.4

10.5

46.7

46.4

3.1

3.0

7.3

7.5

11.7

11.7

1.9

1.9

7.0

7.0

2.8

2.8

1.0

1.0

2.0

2.0

5.1

5.0

8.2

8.2

4.3

4.2

3.0

2.9

11.4

11.4

2.3

2.3

9.1

9.1

55.6

+.2 +0.4

+1.5 +2.7

44.0

+.2 +0.4

+1.7 +3.9

10.5

-.1 -1.0

-.1 -1.0

45.1

+.3 +0.6

+1.6 +3.5

3.0

+.1 +3.3

+.1 +3.3

7.5

-.2 -2.7

-.2 -2.7

11.6

+.0 +0.0

+.1 +0.9

2.0

+.0 +0.0

-.1 -5.0

6.8

+.0 +0.0

+.2 +2.9

2.8

+.0 +0.0

+.0 +0.0

1.0

+.0 +0.0

+.0 +0.0

2.1

+.0 +0.0

-.1 -4.8

4.7

+.1 +2.0

+.4 +8.5

7.4

+.0 +0.0

+.8 +10.8

4.0

+.1 +2.4

+.3 +7.5

2.7

+.1 +3.4

+.3 +11.1

11.6

+.0 +0.0

-.2 -1.7

2.5

+.0 +0.0

-.2 -8.0

9.1

+.0 +0.0

+.0 +0.0

Note: The data included in this release reflect the conversion from the 1987 Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) basis to the 2002 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) basis. Unlike
the previous publication structure under SIC, the new published series are not additive. These preliminary estimates were prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, based upon monthly reports submitted by selected employers in the Albany Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Dougherty and Lee counties. The estimates include all full- and parttime wage and salary workers who were employed during or received pay for any part of the pay period that includes the twelfth of the month. Proprietors, domestic workers, self-employed persons, unpaid
family workers and personnel of the armed forces are excluded. Estimates based on 2002 benchmark.

Athens Nonagricultural Employment (000s)

Preliminary MAR 2003

Revised FEB 2003

Revised MAR 2002

Change in Jobs

from FEB 2003

Net

%

Change in Jobs

from MAR 2002

Net

%

Total nonfarm Total private Goods producing Service-providing
Natural resources, mining and construction Manufacturing Trade, transportation and utilities
Wholesale trade Retail trade Transportation, warehousing and utilities Information Financial activities Professional and business services Educational and health services Leisure and hospitality Other services Government Federal government State and local government

74.1

73.7

53.1

52.8

12.9

12.8

61.2

60.9

3.1

3.0

9.8

9.8

12.5

12.5

2.0

2.0

9.3

9.3

1.2

1.2

1.0

1.0

2.5

2.5

4.9

4.8

8.7

8.7

6.8

6.8

3.8

3.7

21.0

20.9

1.8

1.8

19.2

19.1

72.9

+.4 +0.5

+1.2 +1.6

52.1

+.3 +0.6

+1.0 +1.9

12.8

+.1 +0.8

+.1 +0.8

60.1

+.3 +0.5

+1.1 +1.8

3.2

+.1 +3.3

-.1 -3.1

9.6

+.0 +0.0

+.2 +2.1

12.3

+.0 +0.0

+.2 +1.6

2.0

+.0 +0.0

+.0 +0.0

9.0

+.0 +0.0

+.3 +3.3

1.3

+.0 +0.0

-.1 -7.7

1.1

+.0 +0.0

-.1 -9.1

2.5

+.0 +0.0

+.0 +0.0

4.7

+.1 +2.1

+.2 +4.3

8.6

+.0 +0.0

+.1 +1.2

6.6

+.0 +0.0

+.2 +3.0

3.5

+.1 +2.7

+.3 +8.6

20.8

+.1 +0.5

+.2 +1.0

1.7

+.0 +0.0

+.1 +5.9

19.1

+.1 +0.5

+.1 +0.5

Note: The data included in this release reflect the conversion from the 1987 Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) basis to the 2002 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) basis. Unlike
the previous publication structure under SIC, the new published series are not additive. These preliminary estimates were prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, based upon monthly reports submitted by selected employers in the Athens Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Clarke, Madison and Oconee counties. The estimates include all fulland part-time wage and salary workers who were employed during or received pay for any part of the pay period that includes the twelfth of the month. Proprietors, domestic workers, self-employed persons,
unpaid family workers and personnel of the armed forces are excluded. Estimates based on 2002 benchmark.

Source: Georgia Department of Labor, Workforce Information & Analysis

7

Augusta-Aiken Nonagricultural Employment (000s)

Preliminary MAR 2003

Revised FEB 2003

Revised MAR 2002

Change in Jobs

from FEB 2003

Net

%

Change in Jobs

from MAR 2002

Net

%

Total nonfarm Total private Goods producing Service-providing
Natural resources, mining and construction Manufacturing Trade, transportation and utilities
Wholesale trade Retail trade Transportation, warehousing and utilities Information Financial activities Professional and business services Educational and health services Educational services Health care and social assistance
Hospitals Leisure and hospitality Other services Government Federal government State and local government

197.7 158.9
37.4 160.3
12.2 25.2 33.3
3.9 24.6
4.8 3.2 7.1 29.4 23.2 3.8 19.4 6.4 17.3 8.0 38.8 7.1 31.7

196.5 157.8
37.6 158.9
12.3 25.3 32.7
3.8 24.1
4.8 3.2 7.1 29.1 23.2 3.8 19.4 6.4 16.9 8.0 38.7 7.1 31.6

197.9 158.9
38.8 159.1
13.0 25.8 32.5
3.9 23.5
5.1 3.4 7.0 28.9 23.0 3.7 19.3 6.3 17.4 7.9 39.0 7.1 31.9

+1.2 +0.6 +1.1 +0.7
-.2 -0.5 +1.4 +0.9
-.1 -0.8 -.1 -0.4 +.6 +1.8 +.1 +2.6 +.5 +2.1 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.3 +1.0 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.4 +2.4 +.0 +0.0 +.1 +0.3 +.0 +0.0 +.1 +0.3

-.2 +.0 -1.4 +1.2 -.8 -.6 +.8 +.0 +1.1 -.3 -.2 +.1 +.5 +.2 +.1 +.1 +.1 -.1 +.1 -.2 +.0 -.2

-0.1 +0.0 -3.6 +0.8 -6.2 -2.3 +2.5 +0.0 +4.7 -5.9 -5.9 +1.4 +1.7 +0.9 +2.7 +0.5 +1.6 -0.6 +1.3 -0.5 +0.0 -0.6

Note: The data included in this release reflect the conversion from the 1987 Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) basis to the 2002 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) basis. Unlike
the previous publication structure under SIC, the new published series are not additive. These preliminary estimates were prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, based upon monthly reports submitted by selected employers in the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Columbia, McDuffie and Richmond counties in Georgia and Aiken and
Edgefield counties in South Carolina. The estimates include all full- and part-time wage and salary workers who were employed during or received pay for any part of the pay period that includes the twelfth of the month. Proprietors, domestic workers, self-employed persons, unpaid family workers and personnel of the armed forces are excluded. Estimates based on 2002 benchmark.

Columbus Nonagricultural Employment (000s)

Preliminary MAR 2003

Revised FEB 2003

Revised MAR 2002

Change in Jobs from FEB 2003

Net

%

Change in Jobs from MAR 2002

Net

%

Total nonfarm Total private Goods producing Service-providing
Natural resources, mining and construction Manufacturing Trade, transportation and utilities
Wholesale trade Retail trade Transportation, warehousing and utilities Information Financial activities Finance and insurance Insurance carriers and related activities Professional and business services Educational and health services Leisure and hospitality Accommodation and food services Other services Government Federal government State and local government

114.6 93.5 20.0 94.6
5.5 14.5 17.7
2.2 13.6
1.9 6.1 8.2 6.4 4.8 14.4 10.9 10.6 9.0 5.6 21.1 5.0 16.1

113.6 92.7 20.1 93.5
5.4 14.7 17.6
2.1 13.6
1.9 6.2 8.1 6.3 4.7 14.2 10.9 10.1 8.6 5.5 20.9 4.9 16.0

117.7 96.3 22.4 95.3
5.6 16.8 17.2
2.1 13.1
2.0 7.8 7.6 5.9 4.3 14.1 10.7 11.1 9.9 5.4 21.4 5.4 16.0

+1.0 +0.9 +.8 +0.9 -.1 -0.5
+1.1 +1.2 +.1 +1.9 -.2 -1.4 +.1 +0.6 +.1 +4.8 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -1.6 +.1 +1.2 +.1 +1.6 +.1 +2.1 +.2 +1.4 +.0 +0.0 +.5 +5.0 +.4 +4.7 +.1 +1.8 +.2 +1.0 +.1 +2.0 +.1 +0.6

-3.1 -2.6 -2.8 -2.9 -2.4 -10.7
-.7 -0.7 -.1 -1.8 -2.3 -13.7 +.5 +2.9 +.1 +4.8 +.5 +3.8 -.1 -5.0 -1.7 -21.8 +.6 +7.9 +.5 +8.5 +.5 +11.6 +.3 +2.1 +.2 +1.9 -.5 -4.5 -.9 -9.1 +.2 +3.7 -.3 -1.4 -.4 -7.4 +.1 +0.6

Note: The data included in this release reflect the conversion from the 1987 Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) basis to the 2002 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) basis. Unlike
the previous publication structure under SIC, the new published series are not additive. These preliminary estimates were prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, based upon monthly reports submitted by selected employers in the Columbus Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Chattahoochee, Harris and Muscogee counties in Georgia
and Russell County in Alabama. The estimates include all full- and part-time wage and salary workers who were employed during or received pay for any part of the pay period that includes the twelfth of the month. Proprietors, domestic workers, self-employed persons, unpaid family workers and personnel of the armed forces are excluded. Estimates based on 2002 benchmark.

Source: Georgia Department of Labor, Workforce Information & Analysis
8

Macon Nonagricultural Employment (000s)

Preliminary MAR 2003

Revised FEB 2003

Revised MAR 2002

Change in Jobs

from FEB 2003

Net

%

Change in Jobs

from MAR 2002

Net

%

Total nonfarm Total private Goods producing Service-providing
Natural resources, mining and construction Manufacturing Trade, transportation and utilities
Wholesale trade Retail trade Transportation, warehousing and utilities Information Financial activities Professional and business services Educational and health services Leisure and hospitality Other services Government Federal government State and local government

147.7 113.4 21.9 125.8
6.4 15.5 25.6
3.3 18.1
4.2 2.6 10.2 15.0 18.6 13.7 5.8 34.3 13.9 20.4

147.1 112.8 21.9 125.2
6.3 15.6 25.5
3.3 17.9
4.3 2.6 10.2 15.0 18.4 13.5 5.7 34.3 13.9 20.4

147.1 112.6 22.4 124.7
6.5 15.9 25.8
3.4 18.3
4.1 2.8 9.2 15.2 18.5 13.2 5.5 34.5 14.0 20.5

+.6 +0.4 +.6 +0.5 +.0 +0.0 +.6 +0.5 +.1 +1.6 -.1 -0.6 +.1 +0.4 +.0 +0.0 +.2 +1.1 -.1 -2.3 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.2 +1.1 +.2 +1.5 +.1 +1.8 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0

+.6 +.8 -.5 +1.1 -.1 -.4 -.2 -.1 -.2 +.1 -.2 +1.0 -.2 +.1 +.5 +.3 -.2 -.1 -.1

+0.4 +0.7 -2.2 +0.9 -1.5 -2.5 -0.8 -2.9 -1.1 +2.4 -7.1 +10.9 -1.3 +0.5 +3.8 +5.5 -0.6 -0.7 -0.5

Note: The data included in this release reflect the conversion from the 1987 Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) basis to the 2002 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) basis. Unlike
the previous publication structure under SIC, the new published series are not additive. These preliminary estimates were prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, based upon monthly reports submitted by selected employers in the Macon Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Bibb, Houston, Jones, Peach and Twiggs counties. The estimates include
all full- and part-time wage and salary workers who were employed during or received pay for any part of the pay period that includes the twelfth of the month. Proprietors, domestic workers, self-employed persons, unpaid family workers and personnel of the armed forces are excluded. Estimates based on 2002 benchmark.

Savannah Nonagricultural Employment (000s)

Preliminary MAR 2003

Revised FEB 2003

Revised MAR 2002

Change in Jobs from FEB 2003

Net

%

Change in Jobs from MAR 2002

Net

%

Total nonfarm Total private Goods producing Service-providing
Natural resources, mining and construction Manufacturing Transportation equipment Paper manufacturing Trade, transportation and utilities
Wholesale trade Retail trade Transportation, warehousing and utilities Information Financial activities Professional and business services Educational and health services Leisure and hospitality Other services Government Federal government State and local government

140.2 119.4 22.3 117.9
8.4 13.9
5.0 3.0 30.6 4.5 18.0 8.1 2.5 5.8 16.0 17.7 16.1 8.4 20.8 2.6 18.2

139.7 118.8 22.1 117.6
8.2 13.9
5.1 3.0 30.9 4.5 18.2 8.2 2.5 5.7 15.9 17.6 15.8 8.3 20.9 2.6 18.3

137.1 116.4 23.6 113.5
8.7 14.9
5.3 3.2 29.4 4.5 16.8 8.1 2.6 5.4 13.6 17.3 17.3 7.2 20.7 2.6 18.1

+.5 +0.4 +.6 +0.5 +.2 +0.9 +.3 +0.3 +.2 +2.4 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -2.0 +.0 +0.0 -.3 -1.0 +.0 +0.0 -.2 -1.1 -.1 -1.2 +.0 +0.0 +.1 +1.8 +.1 +0.6 +.1 +0.6 +.3 +1.9 +.1 +1.2 -.1 -0.5 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -0.5

+3.1 +3.0 -1.3 +4.4
-.3 -1.0
-.3 -.2 +1.2 +.0 +1.2 +.0 -.1 +.4 +2.4 +.4 -1.2 +1.2 +.1 +.0 +.1

+2.3 +2.6 -5.5 +3.9 -3.4 -6.7 -5.7 -6.3 +4.1 +0.0 +7.1 +0.0 -3.8 +7.4 +17.6 +2.3 -6.9 +16.7 +0.5 +0.0 +0.6

Note: The data included in this release reflect the conversion from the 1987 Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) basis to the 2002 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) basis. Unlike
the previous publication structure under SIC, the new published series are not additive. These preliminary estimates were prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, based upon monthly reports submitted by selected employers in the Savannah Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Bryan, Chatham and Effingham counties. The estimates include all
full- and part-time wage and salary workers who were employed during or received pay for any part of the pay period that includes the twelfth of the month. Proprietors, domestic workers, self-employed persons, unpaid family workers and personnel of the armed forces are excluded. Estimates based on 2002 benchmark.

Source: Georgia Department of Labor, Workforce Information & Analysis

9

Dimensions - Measuring Georgia's Labor Force

Unemployment rate remains
steady in March
Essentially unchanged over the month, Georgia's unemployment rate remained at 4.6 percent in March. Although the state has recorded lower rates this year compared to last year, the rate this month of 4.6 percent is the second highest rate for the month of March in six years. One year ago, the state registered the highest March-rate in nearly a decade, 5.1 percent. The U.S. unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted), which has been on the decline this year, dropped an additional two-tenths percentage point over the month to 6.2 percent. One year ago, the nation's rate was 6.1 percent. However, despite the declining trend in the nation, Georgia, with a rate that registered 1.2 percentage points below the national rate in March, continued to maintain its favorable comparison with the nation as a whole.
An over-the-month increase in the number of persons receiving unemployment insurance (UI) benefits during the reference week in March helped to boost the state's unemployment level this month to more than 200,000. That number increased moderately by roughly 4,000 or 2 percent from February to March. Also playing parts in the state's increased unemployment level this

7.0% 6.0%

Unemployment rates -- Georgia and U.S.

Georgia

U.S.

5.0%

4.0%

Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar

2002

2003

month were over-the-month increases in the numbers of new entrants and reentrants to the labor force.
Georgia's total count of civilian employed followed the same trend as its nonagricultural employment this month. Both numbers increased over the month.
Area data
The unemployment rates in only two of Georgia's seven Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) Atlanta, at 4.7 percent, and Savannah, at 3.5 percent, followed the statewide trend in March and remained the same over the month. Athens' rate, which was one of three MSAs to increase in March, posted the lowest metro area rate, 2.8 percent.

Albany, which had enjoyed a 7-month respite prior to March, returned to the forefront and posted the highest rate of all metro areas, 5.6 percent.
The unemployment rates in 25 counties replicated the statewide trend this month and remained essentially the same over the month. Of the remaining counties, 79 saw their rates increase and 55 declined in March. With an over-the-month increase of more than 1.5 percentage points, Lincoln County, at 11.8 percent, recorded the highest rate of all counties in the state. It was also one of three counties with doubledigit rates. Despite a slight over-themonth increase, Oconee County, the old favorite in this category, had the lowest county rate, 1.9 percent.

Southeastern states and U.S. unemployment rates
Percent 9

8

March

Fe bruary

7

6.6

6.6

6.0

6.2 6.2 6.1 6.3

6.2 6.4

6 5

5.3 5.6 4.9 5.2

4.6 4.6

5.6 4.9 5.1

4

3

2

1

0

AL

FL

GA

KY MS

NC

SC

TN

US

Although Georgia, at 4.6 percent in March, posted the lowest unemployment rate in the Southeast for the third straight month, the gap between its closest challengers narrowed. Both Florida and Tennessee, at 4.9 percent, trailed Georgia by only three-tenths percentage point. Last month in February, Tennessee was a distant second to Georgia, trailing the state by one-half percentage point. Jockeying for position in the highest rate category, Mississippi, which was essentially unchanged over the month at 6.2 percent, once again captured that spot for the sixth time in eight months. Mississippi also had the only rate in the region that matched the nation's rate in March.

10

Georgia
Albany MSA
Athens MSA
Atlanta MSA
Augusta-Aiken, GA-SC MSA Columbus, GA-AL MSA Macon MSA
Savannah MSA

Georgia Labor Force Estimates (not seasonally adjusted) Place of Residence - Persons 16 Years and Older

Employment Status

Preliminary MAR 2003

Revised FEB 2003

Revised MAR 2002

Change From

Revised

Revised

FEB 2003

MAR 2002

Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate

4,341,728 4,140,255
201,473 4.6

4,333,514 4,136,050
197,464 4.6

4,266,710 4,048,960
217,750 5.1

8,214 4,205 4,009

75,018 91,295 -16,277

Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed
Rate

56,758 53,595
3,163 5.6

56,521 53,853
2,668 4.7

54,500 51,213
3,287 6.0

237 -258 495

2,258 2,382 -124

Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed
Rate

77,511 75,320
2,191 2.8

77,629 75,513
2,116 2.7

75,038 72,403
2,635 3.5

-118 -193
75

2,473 2,917 -444

Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed
Rate

2,405,673 2,291,748
113,925 4.7

2,394,652 2,281,105
113,547 4.7

2,373,956 2,250,222
123,734 5.2

11,021 10,643
378

31,717 41,526 -9,809

Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed
Rate

210,430 201,270
9,160 4.4

211,050 200,993
10,057 4.8

207,368 196,760
10,608 5.1

-620 277 -897

3,062 4,510 -1,448

Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed
Rate

125,308 119,039
6,269 5.0

125,315 118,896
6,419 5.1

126,946 120,582
6,364 5.0

-7 143 -150

-1,638 -1,543
-95

Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed
Rate

155,869 149,760
6,109 3.9

156,468 150,476
5,992 3.8

153,315 147,067
6,248 4.1

-599 -716 117

2,554 2,693 -139

Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate

145,713 140,571
5,142 3.5

146,091 140,970
5,121 3.5

140,947 135,472
5,475 3.9

-378 -399
21

4,766 5,099 -333

United States Labor Force Estimates Place of Residence - Persons 16 Years and Older

Area

Employment Status

MAR 2003

FEB 2003

MAR 2002

Change From

FEB 2003

MAR 2002

United States
(Seasonally adjusted)

Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate

145,793,000 137,348,000
8,445,000 5.8

145,857,000 137,408,000
8,450,000 5.8

144,367,000 136,143,000
8,224,000 5.7

-64,000 -60,000
-5,000

1,426,000 1,205,000
221,000

United States
(Not Seasonally adjusted)

Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed
Rate

145,801,000 136,783,000
9,018,000 6.2

145,693,000 136,433,000
9,260,000 6.4

144,334,000 135,558,000
8,776,000 6.1

108,000 350,000 -242,000

1,467,000 1,225,000
242,000

Note: Employment includes nonagricultural wage and salary employment, self-employment, unpaid family and private household workers and agricultural workers.

Persons in labor disputes are counted as employed. The use of unrounded data does not imply that the numbers are exact. Georgia and Metropolitan Statistical Area data have not been seasonally adjusted. Seasonally adjusted data for Georgia available upon request.
Albany MSA: Includes Dougherty and Lee counties Athens MSA: Includes Clarke, Madison, and Oconee counties Atlanta MSA: Includes Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Newton, Paulding, Pickens,
Rockdale, Spalding, and Walton counties Augusta-Aiken MSA: Includes Columbia, McDuffie and Richmond counties in Georgia and Aiken and Edgefield counties in South Carolina Columbus MSA: Includes Chattahoochee, Harris and Muscogee counties in Georgia and Russell County in Alabama Macon MSA: Includes Bibb, Houston, Jones, Peach, and Twiggs counties Savannah MSA: Includes Byran, Chatham, and Effingham counties

Source: Georgia Department of Labor, Workforce Information & Analysis

11

Georgia Area Labor Profiles

Richmond County

Columbia McDuffie
Richmond

Jefferson

Burke

Employment Trends

Labor Force Activity

2002 ANNUAL AVERAGES

Richmond

Burke

Columbia

Jefferson

McDuffie Richmond Area

Georgia

U.S.

Aiken Co, SC

Edgefield Co, SC

Note: Source:

Labor force includes Georgia Department

Labor Force

Employed

81,694

76,698

9,246

8,430

43,692

42,203

7,138

6,382

9,478

8,671

151,248

142,384

4,292,330

4,071,469

144,863,000 63,350

136,485,000 59,970

10,550

10,120

residents of Labor;

of the county who are employed Bureau of Labor Statistics

Unemployed 4,996 816 1,489 756 807 8,864

Rate 6.1 8.8 3.4 10.6 8.5 7.5

220,861 5.1
8,378,000 5.8 3,380 5.3

430 4.1

or seeking employment.

8 0 ,0 0 0 79 ,0 0 0 78 ,0 0 0 77,0 0 0 76 ,0 0 0 75,0 0 0 74 ,0 0 0 73 ,0 0 0
72 ,0 0 0 71,0 0 0 70 ,0 0 0
19 9 2

19 9 3

19 9 4

Unemployment Trends

10.0 9.0 8.0 7.0 6.0 5.0 4.0 3.0 2.0
1.0 0.0
19 9 2

19 9 3

19 9 4

Richmond 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
Richmo nd 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

High School Graduates, 2001 - 2002

Richmond Burke Columbia Jefferson McDuffie Richmond Area

PUBLIC SCHOOLS
1,775 272
1,101 200 238
3,586

PRIVATE SCHOOLS
129 29 100 13 0 271

TOTAL 1,904 301 1,201 213 238 3,857

Note: Public schools include City school graduates.

Source: Georgia Department of Education; Georgia Independent School Association

Population Estimates Richmond

162,437

181,629

189,719

199,775

Population
Richmond County City of Augusta Richmond Area Georgia U.S. Aiken Co, SC Edgefield Co, SC

2000 2000 Census Rank
199,775 7 195,182 349,803 8,186,453 281,421,906 142,552
24,595

2001 %Change Estimate 2000-2001

198,366

-0.7

2010 % Change Projected* 2000-2010

190,328

-5.0

351,760 8,383,915 284,796,887
143,905 24,470

0.7

363,784

3.7

2.4

9,341,410

12.4

1.2 314,571,000

10.5

0.9

152,600

6.6

-0.5

21,300

-15.5

1970

1980

1990

2000

NSootuer:ce:"RUaSnkC"einnsduicsaBteusrerealuat-iv2e0p0o0pDuelacteionnnaiaml ConegnsGueso; r*gGiao'vse1rn5o9rc'soOunfftiicees.of Planning and Budget.

MICAHuxAiEllaLryLA. TidHsUanRdMSOeNrEvDiqcue-asClAOOvpMapiMloarbItSuleSnuiItOpyoNEnEmRRpel,oqGyueeErsO/tPRtrooGgInIrAadmivDidEuPaAlsRwTiMthEDNisTabOilFitiLesABOR

A profile of each county in Georgia Available on the web at
www.dol.state.ga.us/lmi/publications.htm

Commuting Patterns

EMPLOYED RESIDENTS OF Richmond

COUNTY WHERE EMPLOYED

NUMBER

PERCENT OF TOTAL

Richmond Co. GA Columbia Co. GA Aiken Co. SC Burke Co. GA McDuffie Co. GA Jefferson Co. GA Edgefield Co. SC Richland Co. SC Other
Total Residents:

67,645 7,637 5,051
918 494 292 225 194 2,393
84,849

79.7 9.0 6.0 1.1 0.6 0.3 0.3 0.2 2.8
100.0

Source: US Census Bureau - 2000 County-To-County Worker Flow Files

12

COUNTY OF RESIDENCE
Richmond Co. GA Columbia Co. GA Aiken Co. SC Burke Co. GA Edgefield Co. SC McDuffie Co. GA Jefferson Co. GA Lincoln Co. GA Other
Total Residents:

PERSONS WORKING IN Richmond
NUMBER
67,645 22,363 10,262 1,987 1,476 1,332
507 462 3,187 109,221

PERCENT OF TOTAL
61.9 20.5 9.4 1.8 1.4 1.2 0.5 0.4 2.9
100.0

Employers

TEN LARGEST EMPLOYERS
Richmond Area COUNTY

Doctors Hospital International Paper Co MCG Health Inc Medical College Of Georgia State Hospital Textron Inc U S Army University Hospital Veterans Administration Hospital Walmart Associates Inc

Richmond Richmond Richmond Richmond Richmond Richmond Richmond Richmond Richmond Richmond

FIVE LARGEST EMPLOYERS
Richmond
MCG Health Inc Medical College Of Georgia State Hospital University Hospital Veterans Administration Hospital
Note: Represents employment covered by unemployment insurance excluding all government agencies (except correctional institutions, state hospitals, colleges and universities), public schools, railroads and the US Postal Service. Data shown for Third Quarter 2001. Employers are listed alphabetically by county, not by employment size.

Employment Profile

Richmond

Employed persons, 16 years and older Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining Construction Manufacturing Wholesale trade Retail trade Transportation and warehousing, and utilities Information Finance, insurance, real estate and rental and leasing Professional, scientific, management, administrative, and waste management services Educational, health and social services Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services Other services (except public administration) Public administration

NUMBER
78,906 301
4,764 9,742 2,145 9,968 4,301 1,871 3,318 5,722 21,156 7,439 3,571 4,608

PERCENT
100.0 0.4 6.0 12.3 2.7 12.6 5.5 2.4 4.2 7.3 26.8 9.4 4.5 5.8

Note: NAICS categories are used to identify employment. The data represents employment by place of residence. Source: US Census Bureau - 2000 Decennial Census

Richmond Area

NUMBER PERCENT

145,099 1,546 9,779 20,640 4,009 17,492 8,933 3,358 6,565 10,613 36,509 356 6,438 8,102

100.0 1.1 6.7 14.2 2.8 12.1 6.2 2.3 4.5 7.3 25.2 7.7 4.4 5.6

Labor Force Activity Population Industry Mix Employers Top 10/5 Employers Commuting Patterns Education of the Labor Force

High School Graduates Local Colleges and Universities Technical College Graduates Employment Profile ActiveApplicants Career Center Locations

13

Georgia Labor Force Estimates by County (not seasonally adjusted)

Georgia
Appling Atkinson Bacon Baker Baldwin

Place of Residence - Persons 16 Years and Older

Preliminary March 2003

Revised February 2003

Labor Force

Employment

Unemployment Number Rate

Labor Force

Employment

Unemployment Number Rate

4,341,728 4,140,255 201,473 4.6

7,580 2,987 3,683 1,768 18,027

7,080 2,750 3,487 1,672 17,416

500 6.6 237 7.9 196 5.3
96 5.4 611 3.4

4,333,514 4,136,050 197,464 4.6

7,655 3,023 3,732 1,777 18,156

7,110 2,767 3,501 1,696 17,464

545 7.1 256 8.5 231 6.2
81 4.6 692 3.8

Banks Barrow Bartow Ben Hill Berrien

7,239 24,532 42,339
9,346 6,282

6,978 23,210 39,799
8,307 6,060

261 3.6 1,322 5.4 2,540 6.0 1,039 11.1
222 3.5

7,292 7,005

287 3.9

24,243 23,102 1,141 4.7

41,875 39,614 2,261 5.4

8,894 8,340

554 6.2

6,343 6,099

244 3.8

Bibb Bleckley Brantley Brooks Bryan

72,602 69,398 3,204 4.4

5,931 5,632

299 5.0

7,197 6,795

402 5.6

7,541 7,285

256 3.4

11,796 11,425

371 3.1

72,879 69,729 3,150 4.3

5,866 5,651

215 3.7

7,235 6,817

418 5.8

7,556

7,310

246 3.3

11,811 11,458

353 3.0

Bulloch Burke Butts Calhoun Camden

27,820 26,985

835 3.0

9,265 8,517

748 8.1

9,440 9,007

433 4.6

2,343 2,176

167 7.1

18,083 16,900 1,183 6.5

27,804 27,070

734 2.6

9,271

8,555

716 7.7

9,440 9,034

406 4.3

2,362 2,194

168 7.1

18,217 16,951 1,266 6.9

Candler Carroll Catoosa Charlton Chatham

4,023 3,876

147 3.7

47,411 44,711 2,700 5.7

29,031 28,245

786 2.7

4,694 4,449

245 5.2

113,842 109,797 4,045 3.6

4,043 3,898

145 3.6

47,242 44,503 2,739 5.8

28,759 28,015

744 2.6

4,706 4,462

244 5.2

114,180 110,108 4,072 3.6

Chattahoochee 2,181 2,012

169 7.7

Chattooga

11,141 10,818

323 2.9

Cherokee

86,210 82,655 3,555 4.1

Clarke

49,611 48,192 1,419 2.9

Clay

1,783 1,734

49 2.7

2,181 2,013

168 7.7

11,185 10,851

334 3.0

85,793 82,271 3,522 4.1

49,697 48,316 1,381 2.8

1,805 1,745

60 3.3

Clayton Clinch Cobb Coffee Colquitt

141,436 133,430 8,006 5.7

2,817 2,694

123 4.4

378,437 362,738 15,699 4.1

20,840 19,685 1,155 5.5

18,922 17,795 1,127 6.0

140,819 132,811 8,008 5.7

2,813 2,708

105 3.7

376,811 361,054 15,757 4.2

20,936 19,773 1,163 5.6

19,007 17,884 1,123 5.9

Columbia Cook Coweta Crawford Crisp

43,938 42,670 1,268 2.9

7,829 7,473

356 4.5

47,744 45,720 2,024 4.2

5,923 5,709

214 3.6

9,239 8,630

609 6.6

44,042 42,790 1,252 2.8

7,904 7,510

394 5.0

47,443 45,508 1,935 4.1

5,948 5,732

216 3.6

9,154 8,672

482 5.3

Revised March 2002

Labor Force

Employment

Unemployment Number Rate

4,266,710 4,048,960 217,750 5.1

7,659 2,846 3,880 1,460 17,969

6,906 2,658 3,567 1,372 17,368

753 9.8 188 6.6 313 8.1
88 6.0 601 3.3

7,026 24,320 41,936
8,424 6,243

6,721 22,789 39,078
7,957 5,903

305 4.3 1,531 6.3 2,858 6.8
467 5.5 340 5.4

71,467 5,823 7,276 7,461 11,375

68,150 5,543 6,938 7,129 11,011

3,317 4.6 280 4.8 338 4.6 332 4.4 364 3.2

27,702 9,094 9,497 2,187
16,856

26,728 8,391 8,996 2,030
16,242

974 3.5 703 7.7 501 5.3 157 7.2 614 3.6

3,728 46,637 28,564
4,435 110,304

3,584 43,901 27,780
4,275 105,814

144 3.9 2,736 5.9
784 2.7 160 3.6 4,490 4.1

2,228 11,170 84,636 48,064 1,514

2,042 10,782 81,157 46,326
1,453

186 8.3 388 3.5 3,479 4.1 1,738 3.6
61 4.0

139,317 131,013 8,304 6.0

2,792 2,690

102 3.7

373,751 356,166 17,585 4.7

19,974 19,073

901 4.5

17,938 17,016

922 5.1

43,443 7,675
47,169 6,019 8,741

42,098 7,316
44,892 5,725 8,173

1,345 3.1 359 4.7
2,277 4.8 294 4.9 568 6.5

14

Georgia Labor Force Estimates by County (not seasonally adjusted)

Dade Dawson Decatur DeKalb Dodge

Place of Residence - Persons 16 Years and Older

Preliminary March 2003

Revised February 2003

Labor Force

Employment

Unemployment Number Rate

Labor Force

Employment

Unemployment Number Rate

7,732 7,444

288 3.7

10,549 10,209

340 3.2

11,287 10,589

698 6.2

391,188 370,910 20,278 5.2

10,319 9,814

505 4.9

7,699 7,384

315 4.1

10,725 10,362

363 3.4

11,313 10,640

673 5.9

389,801 369,187 20,614 5.3

10,358 9,902

456 4.4

Dooly Dougherty Douglas Early Echols

4,541 4,225

316 7.0

43,556 40,815 2,741 6.3

53,822 51,324 2,498 4.6

4,963 4,571

392 7.9

1,783 1,736

47 2.6

4,536 4,245

291 6.4

43,300 41,011 2,289 5.3

53,602 51,086 2,516 4.7

4,995 4,600

395 7.9

1,801 1,741

60 3.3

Effingham Elbert Emanuel Evans Fannin

20,074 9,849 8,408 5,292
10,348

19,349 9,127 7,924 5,129 9,660

725 3.6 722 7.3 484 5.8 163 3.1 688 6.6

20,100 9,806 8,387 5,321
10,356

19,404 9,156 7,948 5,148 9,672

696 3.5 650 6.6 439 5.2 173 3.3 684 6.6

Fayette Floyd Forsyth Franklin Fulton

50,952 49,512 1,440 2.8

46,970 44,807 2,163 4.6

61,316 59,128 2,188 3.6

11,202 10,694

508 4.5

432,995 409,323 23,672 5.5

50,654 49,282 1,372 2.7

46,858 44,934 1,924 4.1

61,164 58,854 2,310 3.8

11,184 10,729

455 4.1

430,822 407,422 23,400 5.4

Gilmer Glascock Glynn Gordon Grady

9,656 9,145

511 5.3

1,027

971

56 5.5

37,207 35,982 1,225 3.3

22,564 21,139 1,425 6.3

9,774 9,295

479 4.9

9,662 9,165

497 5.1

1,029

974

55 5.3

37,325 36,049 1,276 3.4

22,280 21,207 1,073 4.8

9,759 9,343

416 4.3

Greene

5,665 5,216

449 7.9

Gwinnett

379,197 363,832 15,365 4.1

Habersham

16,403 15,789

614 3.7

Hall

78,851 75,993 2,858 3.6

Hancock

3,692 3,403

289 7.8

5,702 5,233

469 8.2

377,557 362,143 15,414 4.1

16,440 15,843

597 3.6

79,313 76,577 2,736 3.4

3,730 3,417

313 8.4

Haralson Harris Hart Heard Henry

10,348 9,791

557 5.4

12,921 12,529

392 3.0

9,670 8,997

673 7.0

5,282 4,972

310 5.9

72,129 69,174 2,955 4.1

10,394 9,813

581 5.6

12,932 12,533

399 3.1

9,555 9,029

526 5.5

5,268 5,013

255 4.8

71,761 68,853 2,908 4.1

Houston Irwin Jackson Jasper Jeff Davis

55,260 53,501 1,759 3.2

5,321 4,911

410 7.7

24,105 23,126

979 4.1

5,143 4,882

261 5.1

5,389 4,956

433 8.0

55,475 53,757 1,718 3.1

5,228 4,932

296 5.7

24,160 23,200

960 4.0

5,193 4,896

297 5.7

5,429 4,976

453 8.3

Revised March 2002

Labor Force

Employment

Unemployment Number Rate

7,693 7,322

371 4.8

10,094 9,658

436 4.3

10,832 10,022

810 7.5

387,498 364,189 23,309 6.0

9,709 9,333

376 3.9

4,238 41,877 52,867
4,663 1,765

4,001 39,001 50,394
4,337 1,698

237 5.6 2,876 6.9 2,473 4.7
326 7.0 67 3.8

19,267 9,364 8,111 5,165 9,579

18,647 8,778 7,575 4,948 9,218

620 3.2 586 6.3 536 6.6 217 4.2 361 3.8

50,132 48,615 1,517 3.0

46,837 44,525 2,312 4.9

60,377 58,057 2,320 3.8

10,454 9,993

461 4.4

428,632 401,906 26,726 6.2

9,050 1,045 36,026 21,650 8,977

8,606 970
34,883 20,363
8,564

444 4.9 75 7.2
1,143 3.2 1,287 5.9
413 4.6

5,619 373,714
16,018 76,381
3,749

4,718 357,240
15,323 73,435
3,342

901 16.0 16,474 4.4
695 4.3 2,946 3.9
407 10.9

10,212 13,196
9,396 5,640 70,560

9,511 12,714
8,739 5,333 67,920

701 6.9 482 3.7 657 7.0 307 5.4 2,640 3.7

54,216 5,018
23,451 5,139 5,326

52,539 4,705
22,136 4,903 4,617

1,677 3.1 313 6.2
1,315 5.6 236 4.6 709 13.3

15

Georgia Labor Force Estimates by County (not seasonally adjusted)

Jefferson Jenkins Johnson Jones Lamar

Place of Residence - Persons 16 Years and Older

Preliminary March 2003

Revised February 2003

Labor Force
7,138 3,995 3,031 12,597 6,503

Employment

Unemployment Number Rate

6,465 3,791 2,755 12,210 6,098

673 9.4 204 5.1 276 9.1 387 3.1 405 6.2

Labor Force
7,147 4,017 3,045 12,637 6,575

Employment

Unemployment Number Rate

6,495 3,830 2,768 12,269 6,148

652 9.1 187 4.7 277 9.1 368 2.9 427 6.5

Lanier Laurens Lee Liberty Lincoln

3,511 22,991 13,202 19,245
2,663

3,420 21,911 12,780 18,191 2,348

91 2.6 1,080 4.7
422 3.2 1,054 5.5
315 11.8

3,535 23,110 13,221 19,299 2,626

3,432 21,979 12,842 18,246
2,357

103 2.9 1,131 4.9
379 2.9 1,053 5.5
269 10.2

Long Lowndes Lumpkin McDuffie McIntosh

4,994 4,828

166 3.3

44,839 43,514 1,325 3.0

11,022 10,695

327 3.0

9,411 8,766

645 6.9

5,064 4,848

216 4.3

5,036 4,842

194 3.9

44,984 43,662 1,322 2.9

11,122 10,793

329 3.0

9,448 8,791

657 7.0

5,097 4,865

232 4.6

Macon Madison Marion Meriwether Miller

5,135 13,630
2,798 9,027 3,306

4,808 13,126
2,644 8,405 3,097

327 6.4 504 3.7 154 5.5 622 6.9 209 6.3

5,171 13,638
2,810 8,988 3,326

4,840 13,159
2,655 8,469 3,116

331 6.4 479 3.5 155 5.5 519 5.8 210 6.3

Mitchell Monroe Montgomery Morgan Murray

11,964 11,423

541 4.5

8,036 7,632

404 5.0

3,630 3,380

250 6.9

8,050 7,709

341 4.2

20,009 18,963 1,046 5.2

12,001 8,075 3,685 8,088
19,869

11,486 7,688 3,394 7,743 19,098

515 4.3 387 4.8 291 7.9 345 4.3 771 3.9

Muscogee Newton Oconee Oglethorpe Paulding

84,892 81,262 3,630 4.3

33,707 31,686 2,021 6.0

14,270 14,002

268 1.9

6,555 6,321

234 3.6

47,352 45,412 1,940 4.1

84,944 81,288 3,656 4.3

33,562 31,539 2,023 6.0

14,294 14,038

256 1.8

6,575 6,346

229 3.5

47,164 45,201 1,963 4.2

Peach Pickens Pierce Pike Polk

10,931 12,855
7,697 7,813 18,647

10,453 12,211 7,442 7,419 17,706

478 4.4 644 5.0 255 3.3 394 5.0 941 5.0

11,012 12,800
7,765 7,849 18,694

10,503 12,155
7,476 7,476 17,841

509 4.6 645 5.0 289 3.7 373 4.8 853 4.6

Pulaski Putnam Quitman Rabun Randolph

4,122 10,451
1,342 7,761 3,113

3,964 10,121
1,303 7,554 2,901

158 3.8 330 3.2
39 2.9 207 2.7 212 6.8

4,175 10,552
1,349 7,776 3,144

4,004 10,202
1,309 7,560 2,912

171 4.1 350 3.3
40 3.0 216 2.8 232 7.4

Revised March 2002

Labor Force

Employment

Unemployment Number Rate

7,069 3,883 3,006 12,440 6,719

6,380 3,685 2,737 11,991 6,093

689 9.7 198 5.1 269 8.9 449 3.6 626 9.3

3,446 22,807 12,623 18,652
2,594

3,347 21,751 12,212 17,669
2,296

99 2.9 1,056 4.6
411 3.3 983 5.3 298 11.5

4,850 44,161 11,216
9,664 4,848

4,689 42,583 10,836
8,649 4,687

161 3.3 1,578 3.6
380 3.4 1,015 10.5
161 3.3

4,959 13,204
2,884 8,986 3,028

4,515 12,617
2,728 8,258 2,899

444 9.0 587 4.4 156 5.4 728 8.1 129 4.3

11,281 7,747 3,578 7,830 19,419

10,676 7,330 3,261 7,456
18,451

605 5.4 417 5.4 317 8.9 374 4.8 968 5.0

86,776 32,881 13,770
6,584 46,440

82,461 31,112 13,460 6,304 44,589

4,315 5.0 1,769 5.4
310 2.3 280 4.3 1,851 4.0

10,774 12,545
7,416 7,423 18,402

10,265 11,990 7,095 6,985 17,210

509 4.7 555 4.4 321 4.3 438 5.9 1,192 6.5

4,046 9,898 1,343 7,300 3,081

3,800 9,477 1,257 7,066 2,745

246 6.1 421 4.3
86 6.4 234 3.2 336 10.9

16

Georgia Labor Force Estimates by County (not seasonally adjusted)

Richmond Rockdale Schley Screven Seminole

Place of Residence - Persons 16 Years and Older

Preliminary March 2003

Revised February 2003

Labor Force

Employment

Unemployment Number Rate

Labor Force

Employment

Unemployment Number Rate

81,502 77,546 3,956 4.9

40,181 38,343 1,838 4.6

1,747 1,665

82 4.7

5,459 5,170

289 5.3

4,595 4,379

216 4.7

81,951 77,763 4,188 5.1

40,019 38,165 1,854 4.6

1,763 1,681

82 4.7

5,453 5,193

260 4.8

4,609 4,406

203 4.4

Spalding Stephens Stewart Sumter Talbot

29,546 27,559 1,987 6.7

12,612 11,846

766 6.1

2,241 2,128

113 5.0

14,557 13,647

910 6.3

3,057 2,910

147 4.8

29,314 27,431 1,883 6.4

12,527 11,880

647 5.2

2,262 2,135

127 5.6

14,529 13,697

832 5.7

3,045 2,937

108 3.5

Taliaferro Tattnall Taylor Telfair Terrell

808 6,940 3,665 3,845 3,959

748 6,587 3,542 3,524 3,647

60 7.4 353 5.1 123 3.4 321 8.3 312 7.9

817 6,980 3,692 3,857 3,981

751 6,636 3,557 3,541 3,666

66 8.1 344 4.9 135 3.7 316 8.2 315 7.9

Thomas Tift Toombs Towns Treutlen

23,031 20,985 11,264
4,674 2,881

22,134 20,081 10,481
4,545 2,680

897 3.9 904 4.3 783 7.0 129 2.8 201 7.0

23,070 20,965 11,289
4,694 2,865

22,207 20,167 10,523
4,549 2,691

863 3.7 798 3.8 766 6.8 145 3.1 174 6.1

Troup Turner Twiggs Union Upson

31,276 29,627 1,649 5.3

4,654 4,206

448 9.6

4,480 4,198

282 6.3

8,970 8,651

319 3.6

10,717 10,006

711 6.6

31,326 29,702 1,624 5.2

4,575 4,225

350 7.7

4,465 4,218

247 5.5

9,007 8,672

335 3.7

10,774 10,030

744 6.9

Walker Walton Ware Warren Washington

31,631 32,325 15,381
2,492 9,432

30,400 31,070 14,665
2,200 8,922

1,231 3.9 1,255 3.9
716 4.7 292 11.7 510 5.4

31,277 32,207 15,437
2,511 9,420

30,152 30,926 14,706
2,211 8,959

1,125 3.6 1,281 4.0
731 4.7 300 11.9 461 4.9

Wayne Webster Wheeler White Whitfield

11,458 11,014

444 3.9

1,133 1,082

51 4.5

1,955 1,827

128 6.5

9,820 9,508

312 3.2

49,568 47,727 1,841 3.7

11,493 11,045

448 3.9

1,129 1,089

40 3.5

1,953 1,835

118 6.0

9,854 9,527

327 3.3

49,377 47,866 1,511 3.1

Wilcox Wilkes Wilkinson Worth

3,564 5,005 4,235 9,182

3,278 4,652 4,026 8,662

286 8.0 353 7.1 209 4.9 520 5.7

3,470 5,045 4,255 9,181

3,294 4,698 4,040 8,715

176 5.1 347 6.9 215 5.1 466 5.1

Revised March 2002

Labor Force

Employment

Unemployment Number Rate

81,048 39,429
1,760 5,315 4,560

76,507 37,648
1,656 4,931 4,314

4,541 5.6 1,781 4.5
104 5.9 384 7.2 246 5.4

29,204 12,130
2,091 14,325
2,905

27,060 11,516 1,974 13,167 2,728

2,144 7.3 614 5.1 117 5.6
1,158 8.1 177 6.1

825 6,506 3,603 3,973 3,885

706 6,147 3,373 3,508 3,478

119 14.4 359 5.5 230 6.4 465 11.7 407 10.5

22,270 20,140 11,060
4,519 2,773

21,367 19,274 10,110
4,396 2,585

903 4.1 866 4.3 950 8.6 123 2.7 188 6.8

30,826 4,256 4,418 8,678 11,287

28,858 3,826 4,123 8,373 9,666

1,968 6.4 430 10.1 295 6.7 305 3.5
1,621 14.4

31,055 31,913 14,919
2,439 9,213

29,900 30,507 14,170
2,070 8,748

1,155 3.7 1,406 4.4
749 5.0 369 15.1 465 5.0

11,136 1,033 1,998 9,566 48,612

10,627 975
1,818 9,149 46,730

509 4.6 58 5.6
180 9.0 417 4.4 1,882 3.9

3,289 5,025 4,300 8,723

3,105 4,530 4,031 8,170

184 5.6 495 9.9 269 6.3 553 6.3

17

New Developments

Although the first phase of Camp Creek
MarketPlace is near completion at the northwest quadrant of Camp Creek Parkway and Interstate 285 in East Point, some stores have opened. Representing more than $90 million in investment, the new super regional power center, when completed, will encompass 1.2 million square feet of retail space and bring a powerhouse of heavy hitters in the retail business to the region. Located in an area that has enjoyed continued residential growth as well as rising incomes, Camp Creek Marketplace was an economic windfall for an underserved area that had residents driving 20 or more miles to surrounding counties to shop and dine out. This is the first largescale retail development in south Fulton County since Greenbrier Mall opened in 1965. Construction on more than 16 housing developments in close proximity to the retail center is currently underway where new homes are priced well over $300,000. Now near completion, phase one of the retail development will open 100 percent leased. Among the anchors slated to open within the next couple of months are Target, Barnes & Noble, Staples, Marshalls, Pier 1 Imports, Cost Plus World Market, Ross Dress for Less, Linens `n Things, PetsMart, Famous Footwear, Ruby Tuesday, Red Lobster, and Chick-Fil-A. Stores that have opened include Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse, BJ's Wholesale Club and Longhorn Steakhouse. Phase two of the retail project will adjoin a retail village component, Princeton Lakes, a proposed 475-mixed use development located adjacent to the shopping center. Construction on the second phase is expected to begin summer 2003 with a projected opening of summer 2004. When complete, the power retail center and surrounding projects is expected to generate more than 1,500 new jobs and capture $200 million in revenues, giving a much-needed economic boost to South Fulton County.
H.H.Gregg recently held several grand openings
at its five new stores in the Atlanta area Fayetteville, Lithonia, Morrow, Duluth and Kennesaw. H.H.Gregg is a leading retailer of home appliances and consumer electronics, which stocks more than 400 major appliances and more than 100 digital TVs. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., the company is a family-run business that operates more than 50 stores in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and just recently Georgia.

H.H.Gregg offers brand name electronics and appliances from the smallest digital camcorder to the largest side-by-side refrigerator. At a time when competition is high among other appliance sellers, H.H. Gregg hopes to make a significant economic impact in Fayette, DeKalb, Clayton, Gwinnett and Cobb counties.
Kautex Textron recently held a ceremonial
groundbreaking to celebrate the planned expansion at its plant in Lavonia. Textron, Inc., whose home office is in Providence, R.I., owns Kautex Textron. Textron ranks 150th on the Fortune 500 list of the largest U.S. companies, and is among Fortune's "Global Most Admired Companies." The company employs more than 15,000 people worldwide and has 31 locations in 14 countries. Kautex Textron makes fuel tank systems and windshield wiper reservoirs for car companies. The planned $10 million-plus expansion was made possible by increased business with Mercedes Benz and Honda fuel systems. In addition to Mercedes Benz and Honda, the company's customers include Daimler Chrysler, General Motors and Mitsubishi. The expansion will more than double the company's current facility in Lavonia to a total of 163,000 square feet and will include an expanded manufacturing area and break area. Kautex Textron currently employs about 300 workers. When the expansion is completed within the next couple of years, that number is expected to increase by about 100 in Franklin County.
Turner Furniture plans to open a new distribu-
tion center on an 11-acre site on Oak Ridge Church Road in Tifton. Currently under construction, the new $2.5-million facility will encompass about 50,000 square feet of space that will also be the home of the company's corporate offices. Family owned and operated, Turner Furniture was founded in Pelham in 1915, but began as a hardware business. It has since grown into a network of stores serving South Georgia and North Florida. Currently, the fourth generation of the Turner family is involved in the day-to-day operations of the company. The Turner family also owns Turner Fine Furniture and Turner's Budget Outlet stores in Tifton, Moultrie, Albany, Valdosta, Thomasville and Tallahassee, Fla. The new distribution center is expected to open in October and will employ about 40 people in Tift County.

18

Georgia Unemployment Rates by County

March 2003

Dade Catoosa

Whitfield

Walker

Murray

Chattooga

Gordon

Floyd

Bartow

Fannin

Towns

Union

Rabun

Gilmer Pickens Cherokee

White Haber-

Lumpkin

sham Stephens

Dawson Forsyth

Banks Franklin Hall
Jackson Madison

Hart Elbert

10% or greater 4.6% to 9.9% Less than 4.6%

Polk Haralson

Paulding Cobb Douglas

Gwinnett Barrow Clarke

Oconee Oglethorpe

DeKalb

Walton

Rock-

Wilkes

Lincoln

Carroll

Fulton Clayton

dale Newton

Morgan Greene Taliaferro

Columbia

Fayette Henry

McDuffie Warren

Heard

Coweta

Spalding Butts Jasper Putnam Hancock Glascock

Richmond

Troup Meriwether Pike Lamar Monroe Jones Baldwin

Jefferson Washington

Burke

Upson

Harris

Talbot

Bibb

Wilkinson

Crawford

Twiggs

Johnson

Jenkins Emanuel

Screven

Muscogee

Taylor

Peach

Marion Chattahoo-

Macon

Houston Bleckley

Laurens

Treutlen

Candler Bulloch Effingham

chee

Schley Stewart Webster Sumter

Dooly

Pulaski Dodge Wilcox

Montgomery Wheeler Toombs

Evans

Tattnall

Bryan Chatham

Crisp

Telfair

Quitman

Randolph Terrell

Lee

Turner

Ben Hill

Jeff Davis Appling

Liberty Long

Clay Calhoun Dougherty

Early Miller

Baker Mitchell

Worth Colquitt

Irwin Tift

Coffee

Berrien Atkinson

Cook

Lanier

Seminole Decatur

Grady Thomas Brooks

Lowndes

Clinch

Echols

Bacon

Wayne

McIntosh

Pierce

Ware

Brantley

Glynn

Charlton

Camden

Georgia's Unemployment Rate: 4.6%
19

Georgia Unemployment Insurance Claims by County

County

March Average Initial Weekly Average Claims Benefit Duration

Appling

95 ...... $193 ..... 10.5

Atkinson

120 ...... $180 ....... 7.7

Bacon

93 ...... $210 ....... 8.2

Baker

14 ...... $155 ..... 11.3

Baldwin

193 ...... $168 ....... 9.4

Banks

78 ...... $213 ..... 10.0

Barrow

326 ...... $207 ..... 14.0

Bartow

455 ...... $220 ..... 10.5

Ben Hill

198 ...... $199 ....... 7.6

Berrien

51 ...... $199 ....... 9.3

Bibb

675 ...... $174 ..... 13.3

Bleckley

129 ...... $182 ....... 8.9

Brantley

89 ...... $204 ..... 13.9

Brooks

52 ...... $185 ..... 13.2

Bryan

68 ...... $234 ..... 13.5

Bulloch

189 ...... $195 ..... 11.7

Burke

172 ...... $179 ....... 9.5

Butts

82 ...... $219 ..... 13.9

Calhoun

23 ...... $167 ....... 9.4

Camden

125 ...... $231 ..... 14.4

Candler

43 ...... $187 ..... 11.6

Carroll

586 ...... $206 ..... 12.6

Catoosa

198 ...... $224 ....... 7.6

Charlton

37 ...... $205 ..... 12.8

Chatham

667 ...... $197 ..... 14.5

Chattahoochee 12 ...... $196 ..... 13.7

Chattooga

66 ...... $201 ..... 13.7

Cherokee

660 ...... $247 ..... 14.1

Clarke

298 ...... $181 ..... 14.0

Clay

29 ...... $197 ....... 8.1

Clayton

1,397 ...... $226 ..... 15.5

Clinch

22 ...... $189 ..... 10.8

Cobb

2,144 ...... $244 ..... 16.7

Coffee

464 ...... $206 ....... 8.6

Colquitt

240 ...... $194 ..... 11.1

Columbia

193 ...... $216 ..... 13.8

Cook

95 ...... $199 ....... 9.2

Coweta

358 ...... $226 ..... 13.0

Crawford

30 ...... $205 ..... 12.2

Crisp

181 ...... $148 ..... 10.4

Dade

24 ...... $207 ....... 6.9

Dawson

48 ...... $238 ..... 13.9

Decatur

149 ...... $180 ....... 9.4

DeKalb

3,043 ...... $233 ..... 16.2

Dodge

103 ...... $183 ..... 11.1

Dooly

86 ...... $151 ....... 9.9

Dougherty

413 ...... $175 ..... 12.6

Douglas

417 ...... $237 ..... 15.2

Early

64 ...... $140 ..... 11.4

Echols

17 ...... $233 ..... 10.4

Effingham

124 ...... $220 ..... 12.8

Elbert

369 ...... $183 ....... 6.9

Emanuel

76 ...... $182 ....... 9.1

County

March Average Initial Weekly Average Claims Benefit Duration

Evans Fannin Fayette Floyd Forsyth Franklin Fulton Gilmer Glascock Glynn Gordon Grady Greene Gwinnett Habersham Hall Hancock Haralson Harris Hart Heard Henry Houston Irwin Jackson Jasper Jeff Davis Jefferson Jenkins Johnson Jones Lamar Lanier Laurens Lee Liberty Lincoln Long Lowndes Lumpkin Macon Madison Marion McDuffie McIntosh Meriwether Miller Mitchell Monroe Montgomery Morgan Murray Muscogee

43 ...... $183 ..... 11.4 126 ...... $208 ..... 11.9 212 ...... $246 ..... 14.8 948 ...... $213 ....... 9.0 259 ...... $257 ..... 16.5 344 ...... $202 ....... 7.8 3,360 ...... $229 ..... 16.4 140 ...... $222 ....... 8.5
12 ...... $174 ....... 8.9 281 ...... $197 ..... 13.3 611 ...... $214 ....... 6.6
92 ...... $194 ....... 8.7 136 ...... $146 ..... 14.3 2,382 ...... $248 ..... 15.9 211 ...... $206 ....... 8.1 708 ...... $223 ..... 10.9
89 ...... $155 ..... 10.0 134 ...... $197 ..... 12.1 159 ...... $215 ....... 9.5 344 ...... $180 ....... 7.1
75 ...... $225 ..... 10.4 471 ...... $240 ..... 14.5 294 ...... $197 ..... 12.7
93 ...... $190 ....... 9.9 192 ...... $216 ..... 11.7
77 ...... $217 ..... 10.4 119 ...... $185 ....... 9.8
97 ...... $182 ..... 10.4 46 ...... $177 ....... 9.1 68 ...... $142 ..... 10.3 75 ...... $200 ..... 12.3 123 ...... $194 ..... 11.0 22 ...... $184 ..... 10.7 364 ...... $169 ....... 9.0 222 ...... $220 ....... 8.3 115 ...... $195 ..... 13.5 52 ...... $187 ....... 8.7 22 ...... $192 ..... 13.5 302 ...... $182 ..... 10.2 67 ...... $219 ....... 7.3 96 ...... $171 ....... 9.1 132 ...... $215 ..... 10.6 48 ...... $199 ....... 9.1 169 ...... $183 ..... 11.7 33 ...... $199 ..... 14.8 198 ...... $200 ..... 10.1 32 ...... $158 ....... 9.3 151 ...... $168 ..... 12.7 94 ...... $195 ..... 11.2 52 ...... $170 ..... 11.5 103 ...... $172 ..... 11.0 395 ...... $227 ....... 5.5 1,180 ...... $194 ..... 11.4

Initial claims include intrastate initial and additional claims, as well as agent state initial and additional claims for regular UI only. Average duration of benefits is represented in weeks.

20

County

March Average Initial Weekly Average Claims Benefit Duration

Newton Oconee Oglethorpe Paulding Peach Pickens Pierce Pike Polk Pulaski Putnam Quitman Rabun Randolph Richmond Rockdale Schley Screven Seminole Spalding Stephens Stewart Sumter Talbot Taliaferro Tattnall Taylor Telfair Terrell Thomas Tift Toombs Towns Treutlen Troup Turner Twiggs Union Upson Walker Walton Ware Warren Washington Wayne Webster Wheeler White Whitfield Wilcox Wilkes Wilkinson Worth

422 ...... $217 ..... 12.9 61 ...... $212 ..... 13.2 35 ...... $190 ..... 11.7
314 ...... $242 ..... 14.5 92 ...... $174 ..... 10.8
184 ...... $226 ..... 11.3 64 ...... $185 ..... 11.4
100 ...... $208 ..... 12.0 279 ...... $215 ....... 9.0
53 ...... $201 ..... 10.7 143 ...... $192 ....... 7.6
3 ...... $122 ..... 16.1 49 ...... $209 ....... 6.0 92 ...... $171 ....... 9.5 672 ...... $185 ..... 14.0 293 ...... $230 ..... 14.7 21 ...... $179 ....... 9.1 62 ...... $179 ..... 10.0 50 ...... $175 ..... 10.6 441 ...... $202 ..... 12.7 350 ...... $207 ....... 8.0 43 ...... $158 ....... 9.8 209 ...... $149 ..... 11.3 86 ...... $201 ....... 7.8
9 ...... $159 ..... 14.0 62 ...... $183 ..... 12.0 35 ...... $183 ....... 8.6 78 ...... $172 ..... 10.4 57 ...... $177 ..... 10.0 198 ...... $195 ..... 10.3 200 ...... $174 ....... 9.6 101 ...... $177 ..... 11.5 42 ...... $201 ..... 10.6 38 ...... $178 ..... 11.2 634 ...... $210 ..... 10.0 169 ...... $134 ..... 10.1 75 ...... $182 ..... 12.9 108 ...... $203 ..... 12.2 225 ...... $200 ..... 12.7 288 ...... $193 ....... 7.4 348 ...... $216 ..... 13.0 229 ...... $181 ..... 10.5 85 ...... $173 ..... 10.5 96 ...... $165 ..... 11.3 94 ...... $187 ..... 10.6 15 ...... $138 ....... 9.9 17 ...... $182 ..... 10.3 88 ...... $207 ....... 9.6 801 ...... $221 ....... 5.8 77 ...... $166 ....... 9.6 88 ...... $180 ....... 9.4 50 ...... $175 ..... 11.1 120 ...... $167 ..... 10.5

Unemployment Insurance Statistics

Average duration of benefits

Weeks

Last 12 months

14.0

13.5 13.0 12.5

12.2 12.4 12.7 12.8 12.8 12.9 13.1 12.9 12.9 12.6 12.4 11.9

12.0

11.5

11.0

10.5 10.0
9.5 9.0 8.5 8.0 7.5

Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar

02

03

Initial claims

Thousands 100

2002 -- 2003

90

2002

2003

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Initial claims up 10.5 percent over the month...

The number of initial claims filed in Georgia for unemployment insurance compensation increased 10.5 percent from February to March, climbing from 43,328 to 47,871. New claims were up 27.1 percent when compared to the same month one year ago.
The Atlanta metropolitan area accounted for 17,285 new claims during the month (36.1% of the state total), a bump of 54 new claims over the year. Albany (66.7%), Savannah (36.4%), Macon (33.9%), Athens (25.9%) and Columbus (18.1%) also experienced over-the-year increases, while in Augusta, initial claims fell 11.9 percent from last March.

in benefit payments in services, $7.2 million in manufacturing, $6.4 million in trade and $4.1 million in construction.
First payments were down 18.8 percent over the month, falling from 24,941 in February to March's total of 20,260. First payments were up 21.2 percent when compared to March of last year. First payments are counts of the initial payment received by eligible claimants. Benefit exhaustions, 8,411 in March, crept up 1.7 percent over the month while falling by the same percentage, 1.7 percent, over the year. There were 7,749 claims filed for extended benefits during the month.

In March, 86,008 benefit claimants received $62,382,790 in benefit payments. Benefits paid, in effect, remained unchanged both over the month and over the year. The total number of beneficiaries went practically unchanged over the month, while increasing 3.3 percent when compared to March of last year. For the month, there were $11.3 million

For the fourth consecutive month, the number of weeks jobless workers drew unemployment insurance benefits has either held or dropped when compared to the previous month. March's average duration of 12.4 weeks was the lowest since May 2002, when the duration was 12.2 weeks. The average duration was at 11.4 weeks last March.

Statistical Trends

March 2003

March 2002

Net Change

Percent Change

Initial Claims .............................................................. 47,871 ................................ 37,659 .................................. 10,212 ............................... 27.1%

Continued Weeks Claimed ..................................... 345,821 .............................. 313,155 .................................. 32,666 ............................... 10.4%

Beneficiaries ........................................................... 86,008 ................................ 83,287 .................................... 2,721 ................................. 3.3%

Benefits Paid .................................................. $62,382,790 ....................... $62,704,041 ............................. -$321,251 ............................... -0.5%

Weeks Paid ............................................................ 262,147 .............................. 267,944 ................................... -5,797 ............................... -2.2%

First Payments ......................................................... 20,260 ................................ 16,721 .................................... 3,539 ............................... 21.2%

Final Payments .......................................................... 8,411 .................................. 8,557 ...................................... -146 ............................... -1.7%

Average Weekly Benefit ....................................... $237.97 .............................. $234.02 .................................... $3.95 ................................. 1.7%

Average Duration (weeks) ......................................... 12.4 .................................... 11.4 ........................................ 1.0 ................................. 8.8%

Trust Fund Balance ................................... $1,090,519,332 .................. $1,597,291,129 ..................... -$506,771,797 ............................. -31.7%

21

Mass Layoff Statistics (MLS)

The Mass Layoff Statistics program, otherwise known as MLS, was first implemented in 1984 with the participation of only 8 states. However, since that time, the program has been suspended a couple times and now has the involvement of all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. MLS is a joint cooperative effort between federal and state agencies that uses a standardized, automated method to gain information about major job cutbacks, i.e., the number of workers involved in a layoff, the duration and cause of the layoff and the expectations of a recall. The data for the program come from all states' unemployment insurance (UI) databases and are verified by employer interviews. The data that are extracted from the state database include establishment and unemployment claims data. Layoff data are used if an employer had at least 20 initial claims filed against them during a consecutive 5-week period. The employers are then contacted to determine whether the separations lasted for more than 30 days and the reasons for the layoffs.
Georgia Mass Layoffs 1st quarter 2003 and annual 2002 data
Employers in Georgia initiated 127 mass layoff actions in the 1st quarter of 2003, as measured by new fillings for unemployment insurance benefits during the first 3 months of the year. Each action involved at least 50 persons from a single establishment, and the number of workers involved totaled 17,257. During the 1st quarter 2002, there were 86 mass layoff events involving 15,228 workers.

Georgia and the Southeast

Layoff events 250
200 194

Mass layoff actions (MLS)
228 202

1st Q tr 2002 1st Q tr 2003

150

139

100

50

0

AL

FL

127

86

88

45

66

79 76 55

60

51

25 22

GA

KY

MS

NC

SC

TN

State
AL -42.7 FL GA KY MS NC SC TN
-50

Total initial claims (MLS)

-30.6 13.3

-34.2

-23.3

-32.5 -31.5

-2.3 Percent change

-25

0

25

Percent change (1st quarter 2003 & 1st quarter 2002)

On an annual basis, Georgia had 310 mass layoff events for all of 2002 and the total number of initial claimants was 41,888. Both of these counts were up from 2001 when the total mass layoff events and initial claimants were 215 and 22,141, respectively.
In the 1st quarter of 2003, Georgia was the only state in the Southeast to post an over-the-year increase in the number of mass layoff actions initiated by employers. However, not only did Georgia post the only increase in layoff actions, it registered the only initial-claims increase of all states in the region as well. All other states in the region registered declines in both measures with Kentucky posting the largest over-the-year percent drop in mass layoff actions during this period. Alabama, with a decline of nearly 43 percent, posted the largest percent drop in total initial claims from 1st quarter 2002 to 1st quarter 2003.

22

WI&A Customer Satisfaction Team
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Unemployment Insurance Claims .............. May 15
Georgia Unemployment Rate/ Non-farmEmployment ......... May 22
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May
Unemployment Insurance Claims ............. June 12
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