August 2003 Data Highlights Rolling with the economic punches ..... page 2 After an employment loss last month, Georgia bounces back with an increase in employment this month. Unemployment declines for second straight month ................Page 8 Seasonal factors sway the state's decline in August as young people head back to the classrooms and summer employment drops. Nearly 90 percent of Georgia counties followed the statewide trend this month and posted lower over-the-month unemployment rates. New developments .................. Page 14 Initial claims up 12.5 percent over the year... .................... Page 17 August marks seventh consecutive month of over-the-year growth in initial claims filings. WI&A Customer Satisfaction Team .................. page 19 Volume XXIX, Number 8 Data Tables 3 Georgia Nonagricultural Employment 4 Atlanta Nonagricultural Employment 5 Albany & Athens Nonagricultural Employment 6 Augusta-Aiken & Columbus Nonagricultural Employment 7 Macon & Savannah Nonagricultural Employment 9 Georgia, Metro Areas & U.S. Labor Force Estimates 10 Georgia Labor Force Estimates by County 15 Georgia Unemployment Rates by County 16 Georgia Unemployment Insurance Claims by County 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 August Employment Situation Nonfarm employment in Georgia increased by 31,200 jobs in August. This is impressive considering last month's loss of more than 16,000 jobs. The August increase in nonfarm employment can largely be attributed to the Local Government Education sector that accounted for the addition of 22,400 seasonal jobs. Other sectors contributing to Georgia's nonfarm job growth for the month include Retail Trade, Administrative and Support, Waste Management and Remediation, and Employment Service payrolls. Sectors with negative impact to job growth over the month included Leisure and Hospitality services and Professional, Scientific, and Technical services. The Construction sector lost 300 jobs in August. This is an unfortunate decline in payroll employment over the month but a striking payroll increase of 8.4 percent (+16,700 jobs) since August of last year. With the addition of 700 and 600 jobs, respectively, the Construction of Buildings and the Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction payrolls could not out-weigh the negative impact of the 1,600 jobs that the Specialty Trade Construction sector lost in August. Manufacturing lost 900 jobs over the month. Though the manufacture of Durable Goods increased by 800 jobs in August, the manufacture of NonDurable Goods declined by 1,700 jobs. The Manufacturing sector has lost an astonishing 24,500 jobs since August 2002, more than any other industry. As stated last month, manufacturing employment continues to leave the country for less expensive labor and technology elsewhere. The Trade, Transportation and Utilities sector provided Georgia's economy with a breath of fresh air by posting an increase of 2,900 jobs for August. Retail Trade led the way, as Georgians loaded up on supplies and clothing for school. The Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities sector also had an upturn in employment. Wholesale Trade continued a trend of decreasing employment as this sector lost 1,800 jobs. Employment in the Information sector exhibited a modest but well needed increase of 500 jobs in August. Contributing to the employment growth were the Telecommunications and Cable and Other Subscription Programming industries. The Internet Service Providers sector remained unchanged from last month. Financial Activities payroll employment showed no change in August. Over the year however, the sector did show an increase of 700 jobs. August employment in the Real Estate, Rental and Leasing industry moved up by 100 jobs but was offset by an identical decrease in jobs in Finance and Insurance. Over the past year, the Professional and Business Services sector experienced a lofty increase of 37,200 jobs. The sector grew by 2,200 payroll employees in August. Lead by heightened payroll employment in Administrative and Support, Waste Management and Remediation Services (+5,900) and Employment Services (+6,700), this sector continues to show promise. Professional, Scientific and Technical Services have, however, continued to dwindle; down in August by 3,900 jobs. Education and Health Services payrolls added 5,000 nonfarm employees in August. Educational Services added 1,100 jobs, as colleges and universities across Georgia began new school terms. The demand for healthcare across the state has also affected employment figures as Health Care and Social Assistance payrolls gained 3,900 jobs. After losing employees last month the Leisure and Hospitality sector continued to suffer, losing 3,200 workers in August. It appears that Georgians are forced to divert money from entertainment related activities to pay for necessities, which has been reflected in the sectors job decline. The silver lining for this sector is that, with an over-the-year increase of 5,000 jobs, it is better off than it was last year. Employment in the Other Services sector increased by 900 jobs in August. The job increase is modest for the month but represents a notable 7,900 job increase since the same time last year. This sector is comprised of establishments that are not specifically provided for elsewhere in the services industry. The Government sector represented a bright spot for the state as they increased payrolls by 23,500 jobs. As Federal Government payrolls fell by 100 employees, State and Local Government countered with payroll increases of 2,400 and 21,200 jobs, respectively. In closing, Georgia is showing signs of slow but deliberate labor market strength. With industry sectors like Employment Services and Retail Trade recording better than expected growth for August, the state is showing its resilience during these tough economic times. While the aforementioned sectors are reassuring for Georgia's August employment situation, the negative impacts of Manufacturing, Construction, and Leisure and Hospitality payrolls are of concern. For more information, please contact Corey Smith at (404) 232-3875 or (800) 338-2082 Fax (404) 232-3888 Email: Corey.Smith@dol.state.ga.us 2 Georgia Nonagricultural Employment (000s) Preliminary AUG 2003 Revised JUL 2003 Revised AUG 2002 Change in Jobs from JUL 2003 Net % Change in Jobs from AUG 2002 Net % Total nonfarm Total private Goods producing Service-providing Natural resources and mining Construction Construction of buildings Heavy and civil engineering construction Specialty trade contractors Manufacturing Durable goods Wood product manufacturing Transportation equipment manufacturing Non-durable goods Food manufacturing Textile mills 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 Internet service providers, search portals & DP 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 Educational services Colleges, universities, and professional schools Health care and social assistance Hospitals Nursing and residential care facilities Social assistance Leisure and hospitality Arts, entertainment, and recreation Accommodation and food services Food services and drinking places Other services Government Federal government Department of defense State government State govt education Local government Local govt education 3,957.4 3,331.5 680.1 3,277.3 12.3 216.7 47.8 33.4 135.5 451.1 197.3 21.5 34.5 253.8 67.1 35.6 825.3 197.8 458.3 78.3 86.6 169.2 20.0 149.2 39.0 46.2 18.2 23.0 128.4 5.9 55.0 32.0 15.2 20.4 214.0 154.7 67.5 59.3 558.4 189.9 28.5 33.0 43.7 23.7 75.5 293.0 150.8 382.5 55.8 14.8 326.7 110.3 49.3 46.3 349.1 46.6 302.5 264.8 193.7 625.9 94.7 32.6 148.8 55.1 382.4 231.1 3,926.2 3,323.8 680.7 3,245.5 11.7 217.0 47.1 32.8 137.1 452.0 196.5 21.7 34.3 255.5 65.8 36.0 822.4 199.6 453.8 78.2 85.8 169.0 20.0 149.0 38.5 46.2 18.5 23.1 127.9 5.8 54.5 31.7 15.1 20.4 214.0 154.8 67.0 59.2 556.2 193.8 29.2 33.8 44.2 24.0 75.3 287.1 144.1 377.5 54.7 14.3 322.8 110.3 47.8 45.4 352.3 48.3 304.0 265.5 192.8 602.4 94.8 32.6 146.4 52.5 361.2 208.7 3,911.8 3,289.9 687.8 3,224.0 12.2 200.0 46.1 31.7 122.2 475.6 208.4 26.6 37.5 267.2 66.9 38.3 831.8 206.0 450.6 82.4 87.1 175.2 20.6 154.6 41.2 47.6 18.1 25.4 130.7 5.7 56.4 34.8 13.9 19.7 213.3 155.2 65.1 58.1 521.2 188.0 26.9 33.6 44.9 24.7 75.5 257.7 127.2 375.2 57.8 15.7 317.4 105.0 50.1 45.1 344.1 38.6 305.5 264.6 185.8 621.9 95.7 33.4 149.9 53.2 376.3 223.1 +31.2 +7.7 -.6 +31.8 +.6 -.3 +.7 +.6 -1.6 -.9 +.8 -.2 +.2 -1.7 +1.3 -.4 +2.9 -1.8 +4.5 +.1 +.8 +.2 +.0 +.2 +.5 +.0 -.3 -.1 +.5 +.1 +.5 +.3 +.1 +.0 +.0 -.1 +.5 +.1 +2.2 -3.9 -.7 -.8 -.5 -.3 +.2 +5.9 +6.7 +5.0 +1.1 +.5 +3.9 +.0 +1.5 +.9 -3.2 -1.7 -1.5 -.7 +.9 +23.5 -.1 +.0 +2.4 +2.6 +21.2 +22.4 +0.8 +0.2 -0.1 +1.0 +5.1 -0.1 +1.5 +1.8 -1.2 -0.2 +0.4 -0.9 +0.6 -0.7 +2.0 -1.1 +0.4 -0.9 +1.0 +0.1 +0.9 +0.1 +0.0 +0.1 +1.3 +0.0 -1.6 -0.4 +0.4 +1.7 +0.9 +0.9 +0.7 +0.0 +0.0 -0.1 +0.7 +0.2 +0.4 -2.0 -2.4 -2.4 -1.1 -1.3 +0.3 +2.1 +4.6 +1.3 +2.0 +3.5 +1.2 +0.0 +3.1 +2.0 -0.9 -3.5 -0.5 -0.3 +0.5 +3.9 -0.1 +0.0 +1.6 +5.0 +5.9 +10.7 +45.6 +41.6 -7.7 +53.3 +.1 +16.7 +1.7 +1.7 +13.3 -24.5 -11.1 -5.1 -3.0 -13.4 +.2 -2.7 -6.5 -8.2 +7.7 -4.1 -.5 -6.0 -.6 -5.4 -2.2 -1.4 +.1 -2.4 -2.3 +.2 -1.4 -2.8 +1.3 +.7 +.7 -.5 +2.4 +1.2 +37.2 +1.9 +1.6 -.6 -1.2 -1.0 +.0 +35.3 +23.6 +7.3 -2.0 -.9 +9.3 +5.3 -.8 +1.2 +5.0 +8.0 -3.0 +.2 +7.9 +4.0 -1.0 -.8 -1.1 +1.9 +6.1 +8.0 +1.2 +1.3 -1.1 +1.7 +0.8 +8.4 +3.7 +5.4 +10.9 -5.2 -5.3 -19.2 -8.0 -5.0 +0.3 -7.0 -0.8 -4.0 +1.7 -5.0 -0.6 -3.4 -2.9 -3.5 -5.3 -2.9 +0.6 -9.4 -1.8 +3.5 -2.5 -8.0 +9.4 +3.6 +0.3 -0.3 +3.7 +2.1 +7.1 +1.0 +5.9 -1.8 -2.7 -4.0 +0.0 +13.7 +18.6 +1.9 -3.5 -5.7 +2.9 +5.0 -1.6 +2.7 +1.5 +20.7 -1.0 +0.1 +4.3 +0.6 -1.0 -2.4 -0.7 +3.6 +1.6 +3.6 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 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 3 Atlanta Nonagricultural Employment (000s) Preliminary AUG 2003 Revised JUL 2003 Revised AUG 2002 Change in Jobs from JUL 2003 Net % Change in Jobs from AUG 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 2,220.2 1,934.5 286.0 1,934.2 1.7 122.1 30.0 75.2 162.2 76.2 13.6 8.2 86.0 27.1 491.0 132.6 248.6 42.0 43.3 109.8 10.5 99.3 38.1 26.9 14.1 9.7 101.3 4.8 44.6 26.6 13.4 145.3 105.7 47.3 39.6 389.2 145.9 18.0 24.3 33.0 19.5 57.1 186.2 94.7 208.0 171.5 58.9 25.1 204.0 31.0 173.0 152.7 109.7 285.7 46.7 52.9 186.1 2,203.4 1,933.0 288.6 1,914.8 1.7 124.2 28.6 78.2 162.7 76.2 13.7 8.3 86.5 27.9 490.4 134.3 247.0 42.4 42.6 109.1 10.5 98.6 37.5 27.1 14.3 9.8 100.9 4.8 44.6 26.6 13.4 146.2 106.2 47.0 40.0 386.4 147.9 18.6 24.6 33.3 19.7 56.9 181.6 89.7 205.0 168.8 58.6 24.7 205.1 32.2 172.9 153.0 110.4 270.4 46.8 50.4 173.2 2,177.6 1,895.1 290.6 1,887.0 1.8 118.8 26.8 75.1 170.0 83.8 14.3 12.8 86.2 23.4 502.0 141.1 246.0 45.0 44.7 114.9 10.6 104.3 39.9 25.8 14.0 12.0 100.8 4.7 45.6 29.4 12.1 146.2 106.1 46.5 40.1 362.9 142.7 17.7 25.8 34.0 20.3 55.5 164.7 77.7 198.6 162.9 55.1 24.8 195.6 25.0 170.6 148.2 98.4 282.5 46.1 54.8 181.6 +16.8 +0.8 +1.5 +0.1 -2.6 -0.9 +19.4 +1.0 +.0 +0.0 -2.1 -1.7 +1.4 +4.9 -3.0 -3.8 -.5 -0.3 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -0.7 -.1 -1.2 -.5 -0.6 -.8 -2.9 +.6 +0.1 -1.7 -1.3 +1.6 +0.6 -.4 -0.9 +.7 +1.6 +.7 +0.6 +.0 +0.0 +.7 +0.7 +.6 +1.6 -.2 -0.7 -.2 -1.4 -.1 -1.0 +.4 +0.4 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 -.9 -0.6 -.5 -0.5 +.3 +0.6 -.4 -1.0 +2.8 +0.7 -2.0 -1.4 -.6 -3.2 -.3 -1.2 -.3 -0.9 -.2 -1.0 +.2 +0.4 +4.6 +2.5 +5.0 +5.6 +3.0 +1.5 +2.7 +1.6 +.3 +0.5 +.4 +1.6 -1.1 -0.5 -1.2 -3.7 +.1 +0.1 -.3 -0.2 -.7 -0.6 +15.3 +5.7 -.1 -0.2 +2.5 +5.0 +12.9 +7.4 +42.6 +39.4 -4.6 +47.2 -.1 +3.3 +3.2 +.1 -7.8 -7.6 -.7 -4.6 -.2 +3.7 -11.0 -8.5 +2.6 -3.0 -1.4 -5.1 -.1 -5.0 -1.8 +1.1 +.1 -2.3 +.5 +.1 -1.0 -2.8 +1.3 -.9 -.4 +.8 -.5 +26.3 +3.2 +.3 -1.5 -1.0 -.8 +1.6 +21.5 +17.0 +9.4 +8.6 +3.8 +.3 +8.4 +6.0 +2.4 +4.5 +11.3 +3.2 +.6 -1.9 +4.5 +2.0 +2.1 -1.6 +2.5 -5.6 +2.8 +11.9 +0.1 -4.6 -9.1 -4.9 -35.9 -0.2 +15.8 -2.2 -6.0 +1.1 -6.7 -3.1 -4.4 -0.9 -4.8 -4.5 +4.3 +0.7 -19.2 +0.5 +2.1 -2.2 -9.5 +10.7 -0.6 -0.4 +1.7 -1.2 +7.2 +2.2 +1.7 -5.8 -2.9 -3.9 +2.9 +13.1 +21.9 +4.7 +5.3 +6.9 +1.2 +4.3 +24.0 +1.4 +3.0 +11.5 +1.1 +1.3 -3.5 +2.5 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 4 Albany Nonagricultural Employment (000s) Preliminary AUG 2003 Revised JUL 2003 Revised AUG 2002 Change in Jobs from JUL 2003 Net % Change in Jobs from AUG 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 57.7 57.1 46.4 46.1 10.7 10.6 47.0 46.5 3.2 3.2 7.5 7.4 11.8 11.7 1.9 1.9 7.1 7.0 2.8 2.8 1.0 1.0 2.0 2.0 5.1 5.1 8.4 8.3 4.4 4.4 3.0 3.0 11.3 11.0 2.4 2.4 8.9 8.6 56.7 +.6 +1.1 +1.0 +1.8 45.4 +.3 +0.7 +1.0 +2.2 10.7 +.1 +0.9 +.0 +0.0 46.0 +.5 +1.1 +1.0 +2.2 3.0 +.0 +0.0 +.2 +6.7 7.7 +.1 +1.4 -.2 -2.6 11.6 +.1 +0.9 +.2 +1.7 1.9 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 6.9 +.1 +1.4 +.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 4.9 +.0 +0.0 +.2 +4.1 7.6 +.1 +1.2 +.8 +10.5 4.4 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 3.1 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -3.2 11.3 +.3 +2.7 +.0 +0.0 2.4 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 8.9 +.3 +3.5 +.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 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. Athens Nonagricultural Employment (000s) Preliminary AUG 2003 Revised JUL 2003 Revised AUG 2002 Change in Jobs from JUL 2003 Net % Change in Jobs from AUG 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 73.6 73.7 52.9 52.9 12.1 12.0 61.5 61.7 3.2 3.2 8.9 8.8 12.6 12.7 1.9 1.9 9.5 9.6 1.2 1.2 1.0 1.0 2.5 2.5 5.0 5.0 8.9 8.9 7.0 7.0 3.8 3.8 20.7 20.8 1.6 1.7 19.1 19.1 73.7 -.1 -0.1 -.1 -0.1 52.6 +.0 +0.0 +.3 +0.6 12.7 +.1 +0.8 -.6 -4.7 61.0 -.2 -0.3 +.5 +0.8 3.2 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 9.5 +.1 +1.1 -.6 -6.3 12.2 -.1 -0.8 +.4 +3.3 2.0 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -5.0 9.0 -.1 -1.0 +.5 +5.6 1.2 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 1.1 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -9.1 2.6 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -3.8 4.9 +.0 +0.0 +.1 +2.0 8.6 +.0 +0.0 +.3 +3.5 6.8 +.0 +0.0 +.2 +2.9 3.7 +.0 +0.0 +.1 +2.7 21.1 -.1 -0.5 -.4 -1.9 1.7 -.1 -5.9 -.1 -5.9 19.4 +.0 +0.0 -.3 -1.5 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 5 Augusta-Aiken Nonagricultural Employment (000s) Preliminary AUG 2003 Revised JUL 2003 Revised AUG 2002 Change in Jobs from JUL 2003 Net % Change in Jobs from AUG 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 199.3 160.3 37.0 162.3 12.2 24.8 32.8 3.9 24.2 4.7 3.3 7.1 29.9 24.0 3.8 20.2 6.5 18.2 8.0 39.0 7.4 31.6 198.4 160.0 36.9 161.5 12.3 24.6 32.9 3.9 24.2 4.8 3.2 7.0 29.9 23.6 3.8 19.8 6.5 18.5 8.0 38.4 7.4 31.0 198.7 160.2 38.7 160.0 13.1 25.6 33.0 3.9 24.0 5.1 3.3 7.2 29.3 23.0 3.6 19.4 6.3 17.7 8.0 38.5 7.2 31.3 +.9 +0.5 +.3 +0.2 +.1 +0.3 +.8 +0.5 -.1 -0.8 +.2 +0.8 -.1 -0.3 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -2.1 +.1 +3.1 +.1 +1.4 +.0 +0.0 +.4 +1.7 +.0 +0.0 +.4 +2.0 +.0 +0.0 -.3 -1.6 +.0 +0.0 +.6 +1.6 +.0 +0.0 +.6 +1.9 +.6 +0.3 +.1 +0.1 -1.7 -4.4 +2.3 +1.4 -.9 -6.9 -.8 -3.1 -.2 -0.6 +.0 +0.0 +.2 +0.8 -.4 -7.8 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -1.4 +.6 +2.0 +1.0 +4.3 +.2 +5.6 +.8 +4.1 +.2 +3.2 +.5 +2.8 +.0 +0.0 +.5 +1.3 +.2 +2.8 +.3 +1.0 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 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 AUG 2003 Revised JUL 2003 Revised AUG 2002 Change in Jobs from JUL 2003 Net % Change in Jobs from AUG 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 114.1 93.5 18.9 95.2 5.6 13.3 18.4 2.1 14.4 1.9 6.2 8.3 6.5 4.8 14.2 11.0 10.8 9.1 5.7 20.6 4.8 15.8 113.8 94.2 19.3 94.5 5.6 13.7 18.3 2.1 14.3 1.9 6.2 8.4 6.5 4.8 14.2 11.0 11.1 9.1 5.7 19.6 4.8 14.8 115.3 94.3 21.0 94.3 5.6 15.4 17.4 2.1 13.3 2.0 6.3 7.7 6.0 4.4 14.1 10.8 11.3 10.1 5.7 21.0 5.4 15.6 +.3 +0.3 -.7 -0.7 -.4 -2.1 +.7 +0.7 +.0 +0.0 -.4 -2.9 +.1 +0.5 +.0 +0.0 +.1 +0.7 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -1.2 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 -.3 -2.7 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +1.0 +5.1 +.0 +0.0 +1.0 +6.8 -1.2 -1.0 -.8 -0.8 -2.1 -10.0 +.9 +1.0 +.0 +0.0 -2.1 -13.6 +1.0 +5.7 +.0 +0.0 +1.1 +8.3 -.1 -5.0 -.1 -1.6 +.6 +7.8 +.5 +8.3 +.4 +9.1 +.1 +0.7 +.2 +1.9 -.5 -4.4 -1.0 -9.9 +.0 +0.0 -.4 -1.9 -.6 -11.1 +.2 +1.3 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 6 Macon Nonagricultural Employment (000s) Preliminary AUG 2003 Revised JUL 2003 Revised AUG 2002 Change in Jobs from JUL 2003 Net % Change in Jobs from AUG 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 148.6 114.7 22.3 126.3 6.4 15.9 25.8 3.2 18.4 4.2 2.5 10.6 15.4 18.3 14.1 5.7 33.9 13.7 20.2 147.4 114.5 22.4 125.0 6.5 15.9 25.8 3.2 18.4 4.2 2.5 10.5 15.2 18.3 14.1 5.7 32.9 13.7 19.2 148.4 114.0 22.1 126.3 6.5 15.6 26.1 3.4 18.3 4.4 2.7 9.3 15.5 19.0 13.6 5.7 34.4 14.1 20.3 +1.2 +0.8 +.2 +0.2 -.1 -0.4 +1.3 +1.0 -.1 -1.5 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.1 +1.0 +.2 +1.3 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +1.0 +3.0 +.0 +0.0 +1.0 +5.2 +.2 +0.1 +.7 +0.6 +.2 +0.9 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -1.5 +.3 +1.9 -.3 -1.1 -.2 -5.9 +.1 +0.5 -.2 -4.5 -.2 -7.4 +1.3 +14.0 -.1 -0.6 -.7 -3.7 +.5 +3.7 +.0 +0.0 -.5 -1.5 -.4 -2.8 -.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 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 AUG 2003 Revised JUL 2003 Revised AUG 2002 Change in Jobs from JUL 2003 Net % Change in Jobs from AUG 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 138.1 118.2 22.3 115.8 8.7 13.6 4.9 2.9 31.0 4.4 17.9 8.7 2.6 5.5 15.5 16.5 16.2 8.6 19.9 2.6 17.3 137.6 118.3 22.2 115.4 8.6 13.6 4.9 2.9 31.1 4.4 18.0 8.7 2.6 5.5 15.5 16.4 16.5 8.5 19.3 2.6 16.7 138.7 118.2 22.4 116.3 8.1 14.3 5.3 3.1 30.3 4.6 17.4 8.3 2.6 5.7 14.4 17.2 17.4 8.2 20.5 2.6 17.9 +.5 +0.4 -.1 -0.1 +.1 +0.5 +.4 +0.3 +.1 +1.2 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -0.3 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -0.6 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.1 +0.6 -.3 -1.8 +.1 +1.2 +.6 +3.1 +.0 +0.0 +.6 +3.6 -.6 -0.4 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -0.4 -.5 -0.4 +.6 +7.4 -.7 -4.9 -.4 -7.5 -.2 -6.5 +.7 +2.3 -.2 -4.3 +.5 +2.9 +.4 +4.8 +.0 +0.0 -.2 -3.5 +1.1 +7.6 -.7 -4.1 -1.2 -6.9 +.4 +4.9 -.6 -2.9 +.0 +0.0 -.6 -3.4 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 7 Dimensions - Measuring Georgia's Labor Force Unemployment declines Georgia's unemployment rate, at 4.7 percent, declined in August after an overthe-month drop of six-tenths of a percentage point from July's revised rate of 5.3 percent. Typical for this period, seasonal factors swayed the decline this month preserving the long-standing downward trend that has been in place for thirty-three of the past thirty-four years. The state's rate was 5.2 percent in August 2002. The U.S. unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted, also declined in August. With an over-the-month drop of threetenths of a percentage point, the nation's rate was 6.0 percent in August. In drawing comparisons between Georgia and the nation as a whole, it is worth noting that Georgia's rate has held a long-term favorable position. With more than one and three-tenths percentage points below the national rate in August, Georgia's rate has prevailed at or below the U.S. average for nearly three years. One year ago, the nation's rate was 5.7 percent. An over-the-month decline in the number of persons receiving unemployment insurance (UI) benefits during the reference week in August was partly responsible for the July-to-August decline in the number of unemployed persons this month. A seasonal decline in the number of summer job seekers was also a contributing factor to the state's lower unemployment level as young people returned to school and summer jobs declined. At less than Unemployment rates -- Georgia and U.S. 7.0% Georgia U.S. 6.0% 5.0% 4.0% Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug 2002 2003 206,000, Georgia's total unemployment count was down over the month by more than 26,000 or 11.3 percent. The state also saw significant improvement over the year as well, having dropped by slightly more than 18,000 (-8.1%) from August 2002. Area data With the exception of Columbus, Georgia's Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) followed the statewide trend in August and posted lower unemployment rates. For more than two years now, Athens has played the key part in the lowest rate ranking. With an over-the-month drop of only one-tenth-percentage point, Athens, at 3.2 percent, continued that role this month and posted the lowest rate in the state for the 26th consecutive month. Columbus, the only metro area to increase over the month, weighed in at 6.1 percent and posted the highest rate in August. This was the tenth time in thirteen months Co lumbus has held that distinction. In August, nearly 90 percent of the counties in Georgia posted lower unemployment rates. In absolute terms, 142 counties had over-the-month declines, 12 counties posted increases and only 5 counties remained the same. For most of the year, Warren County had the highest county rate. This month, Burke County, at 12.2 percent, reigned in that category. On the other end of the spectrum, Oconee County had dominated in the lowest rate category for the better part of the year. In August, Oconee, at 1.9 percent, moved down a notch and relinquished that title to Rabun County at 1.8 percent. Southeastern states and U.S. unemployment rates Percent 9 August July 8 7.3 7.4 7 6 5.9 5.8 5.5 5.5 6.2 6.3 5.3 5.2 5 4.7 6.9 6.4 6.4 6.3 6.0 5.1 5.4 4 3 2 1 0 AL FL GA KY MS NC SC TN US 8 In August, Georgia continued to show its muscle in the Southeast. After posting a sixtenths percentage point decline this month, Georgia's jobless rate, for the eighth time this year, registered the lowest in the region. Georgia, at 4.7 percent, was the only state in the region to post an unemployment rate in the four percent range in August. The other southeastern states had jobless rates that ranged from 5.1 percent in Tennessee (the second lowest in the region) to a high of 6.4 percent, posted by both North Carolina and South Carolina. Both of the Carolinas were also two of only three states with rates above the national average of 6.0 percent in August. Mississippi, at 6.3 percent, was the third state to exceed the U.S. average this month. 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 AUG 2003 Revised JUL 2003 Revised AUG 2002 Change From Revised Revised JUL 2003 AUG 2002 Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate 4,377,022 4,171,388 205,634 4.7 4,402,323 4,170,578 231,745 5.3 4,287,594 4,063,935 223,659 5.2 -25,301 810 -26,111 89,428 107,453 -18,025 Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate 56,512 53,782 2,730 4.8 56,799 53,784 3,015 5.3 55,116 52,002 3,114 5.6 -287 -2 -285 1,396 1,780 -384 Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate 77,048 74,618 2,430 3.2 77,989 75,443 2,546 3.3 75,849 73,300 2,549 3.4 -941 -825 -116 1,199 1,318 -119 Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate 2,427,913 2,310,178 117,735 4.8 2,439,450 2,309,908 129,542 5.3 2,371,441 2,242,052 129,389 5.5 -11,537 270 -11,807 56,472 68,126 -11,654 Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate 214,532 203,919 10,613 4.9 221,106 204,810 16,296 7.4 209,179 198,096 11,083 5.3 -6,574 -891 -5,683 5,353 5,823 -470 Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate 125,513 117,867 7,646 6.1 125,777 118,400 7,377 5.9 124,893 117,107 7,786 6.2 -264 -533 269 620 760 -140 Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate 155,938 149,583 6,355 4.1 156,251 149,645 6,606 4.2 154,302 147,416 6,886 4.5 -313 -62 -251 1,636 2,167 -531 Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate 142,975 137,048 5,927 4.1 146,212 137,922 8,290 5.7 142,243 136,039 6,204 4.4 -3,237 -874 -2,363 732 1,009 -277 United States Labor Force Estimates Place of Residence - Persons 16 Years and Older Area United States (Seasonally adjusted) Employment Status Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate AUG 2003 146,530,000 137,625,000 8,905,000 6.1 JUL 2003 146,540,000 137,478,000 9,062,000 6.2 AUG 2002 145,123,000 136,757,000 8,366,000 5.8 Change From JUL 2003 AUG 2002 -10,000 147,000 -157,000 1,407,000 868,000 539,000 United States (Not Seasonally adjusted) Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed 146,967,000 138,137,000 8,830,000 147,822,000 138,503,000 9,319,000 145,565,000 137,295,000 8,271,000 -855,000 -366,000 -489,000 1,402,000 842,000 559,000 Rate 6.0 6.3 5.7 Note: Employment includes nonagricultural wage and salary employment, self-employment, unpaid family and private household w orkers 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, Cowet a, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette , Forsyth, Ful ton, 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 Chatt ahoochee, 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 9 Georgia Labor Force Estimates by County (not seasonally adjusted) Georgia Appling Atkinson Bacon Baker Baldwin Place of Residence - Persons 16 Years and Older Preliminary August 2003 Labor Force Employment Unemployment Number Rate Revised July 2003 Labor Force Employment Unemployment Number Rate 4,377,022 4,171,388 205,634 4.7 7,805 3,075 3,787 1,847 18,102 7,222 2,849 3,573 1,779 17,537 583 7.5 226 7.3 214 5.7 68 3.7 565 3.1 4,402,323 4,170,578 231,745 5.3 7,910 3,089 3,792 1,845 18,105 7,204 2,842 3,565 1,770 17,501 706 8.9 247 8.0 227 6.0 75 4.1 604 3.3 Banks Barrow Bartow Ben Hill Berrien 7,371 7,118 253 3.4 24,633 23,396 1,237 5.0 42,212 40,119 2,093 5.0 8,956 8,491 465 5.2 6,504 6,257 247 3.8 7,394 24,968 42,849 8,968 6,464 7,104 23,394 40,114 8,471 6,239 290 3.9 1,574 6.3 2,735 6.4 497 5.5 225 3.5 Bibb Bleckley Brantley Brooks Bryan 72,467 69,316 3,151 4.3 5,886 5,718 168 2.9 7,285 6,867 418 5.7 7,595 7,387 208 2.7 11,497 11,139 358 3.1 72,818 5,908 7,364 7,615 11,760 69,344 5,706 6,853 7,371 11,210 3,474 4.8 202 3.4 511 6.9 244 3.2 550 4.7 Bulloch Burke Butts Calhoun Camden 28,132 9,875 9,564 2,414 17,933 27,330 8,673 9,090 2,279 17,060 802 2.9 1,202 12.2 474 5.0 135 5.6 873 4.9 28,242 9,839 9,608 2,444 18,086 27,273 8,653 9,072 2,272 17,025 969 3.4 1,186 12.1 536 5.6 172 7.0 1,061 5.9 Candler Carroll Catoosa Charlton Chatham 4,132 3,995 137 3.3 47,312 45,070 2,242 4.7 28,316 27,609 707 2.5 4,751 4,491 260 5.5 111,944 107,045 4,899 4.4 4,146 3,983 163 3.9 47,781 45,065 2,716 5.7 28,353 27,545 808 2.8 4,792 4,481 311 6.5 114,155 107,727 6,428 5.6 Chattahoochee 2,170 1,990 180 8.3 Chattooga 11,326 10,914 412 3.6 Cherokee 86,726 83,319 3,407 3.9 Clarke 49,427 47,743 1,684 3.4 Clay 1,863 1,796 67 3.6 2,209 11,330 87,105 49,983 1,843 1,999 10,890 83,310 48,271 1,791 210 9.5 440 3.9 3,795 4.4 1,712 3.4 52 2.8 Clayton Clinch Cobb Coffee Colquitt 143,167 134,503 8,664 6.1 2,912 2,763 149 5.1 381,184 365,655 15,529 4.1 21,639 20,121 1,518 7.0 19,180 18,290 890 4.6 143,721 134,488 9,233 6.4 2,913 2,756 157 5.4 382,466 365,613 16,853 4.4 21,698 20,073 1,625 7.5 19,144 18,245 899 4.7 Columbia Cook Coweta Crawford Crisp 43,966 42,723 1,243 2.8 8,090 7,644 446 5.5 48,212 46,088 2,124 4.4 6,043 5,799 244 4.0 9,375 8,869 506 5.4 44,380 8,006 49,552 6,021 9,475 42,905 7,625 46,083 5,781 8,848 1,475 3.3 381 4.8 3,469 7.0 240 4.0 627 6.6 Revised August 2002 Labor Force Employment Unemployment Number Rate 4,287,594 4,063,935 223,659 5.2 7,814 2,908 3,711 1,732 18,127 7,004 2,713 3,442 1,659 17,273 810 10.4 195 6.7 269 7.2 73 4.2 854 4.7 7,199 23,899 41,072 8,687 6,225 6,894 22,706 38,936 8,207 5,995 305 4.2 1,193 5.0 2,136 5.2 480 5.5 230 3.7 71,915 5,865 7,195 7,544 11,431 68,311 5,576 6,733 7,212 11,057 3,604 5.0 289 4.9 462 6.4 332 4.4 374 3.3 27,560 9,255 9,407 2,270 17,445 26,714 8,435 8,927 2,144 16,750 846 3.1 820 8.9 480 5.1 126 5.6 695 4.0 3,993 46,456 28,172 4,577 111,284 3,832 43,741 27,300 4,409 106,257 161 4.0 2,715 5.8 872 3.1 168 3.7 5,027 4.5 2,182 11,004 84,331 48,672 1,756 1,984 10,723 80,862 46,900 1,711 198 9.1 281 2.6 3,469 4.1 1,772 3.6 45 2.6 139,649 130,537 9,112 6.5 2,810 2,666 144 5.1 373,101 354,872 18,229 4.9 20,443 19,460 983 4.8 18,424 17,572 852 4.6 43,598 7,706 46,829 5,932 9,150 42,010 7,395 44,729 5,659 8,517 1,588 3.6 311 4.0 2,100 4.5 273 4.6 633 6.9 10 Georgia Labor Force Estimates by County (not seasonally adjusted) Dade Dawson Decatur DeKalb Dodge Place of Residence - Persons 16 Years and Older Preliminary August 2003 Labor Force Employment Unemployment Number Rate Revised July 2003 Labor Force Employment Unemployment Number Rate 7,544 7,277 267 3.5 10,960 10,632 328 3.0 11,543 10,841 702 6.1 396,044 373,893 22,151 5.6 10,404 10,044 360 3.5 7,600 7,260 340 4.5 10,933 10,545 388 3.5 11,588 10,814 774 6.7 398,020 373,849 24,171 6.1 10,436 9,996 440 4.2 Dooly Dougherty Douglas Early Echols 4,678 4,342 336 7.2 43,290 40,957 2,333 5.4 54,302 51,737 2,565 4.7 5,086 4,740 346 6.8 1,801 1,760 41 2.3 4,730 4,332 398 8.4 43,521 40,959 2,562 5.9 54,376 51,731 2,645 4.9 5,134 4,725 409 8.0 1,805 1,756 49 2.7 Effingham Elbert Emanuel Evans Fannin 19,534 9,844 8,624 5,393 10,271 18,864 9,281 8,056 5,235 9,757 670 3.4 563 5.7 568 6.6 158 2.9 514 5.0 20,298 18,985 1,313 6.5 9,962 9,261 701 7.0 8,727 8,028 699 8.0 5,430 5,224 206 3.8 10,331 9,725 606 5.9 Fayette Floyd Forsyth Franklin Fulton 51,554 49,910 1,644 3.2 47,196 45,122 2,074 4.4 61,641 59,604 2,037 3.3 11,354 10,877 477 4.2 438,015 412,615 25,400 5.8 51,766 49,904 1,862 3.6 47,843 45,028 2,815 5.9 61,828 59,597 2,231 3.6 11,528 10,854 674 5.8 439,882 412,567 27,315 6.2 Gilmer Glascock Glynn Gordon Grady 9,673 9,291 382 3.9 1,033 989 44 4.3 37,579 36,284 1,295 3.4 22,474 21,400 1,074 4.8 9,978 9,599 379 3.8 9,715 9,275 440 4.5 1,035 985 50 4.8 37,627 36,220 1,407 3.7 22,575 21,355 1,220 5.4 10,459 9,560 899 8.6 Greene 5,678 5,308 370 6.5 Gwinnett 382,345 366,758 15,587 4.1 Habersham 16,653 16,065 588 3.5 Hall 79,984 77,256 2,728 3.4 Hancock 3,692 3,453 239 6.5 5,710 5,297 413 7.2 383,986 366,715 17,271 4.5 16,734 16,031 703 4.2 80,145 76,919 3,226 4.0 3,721 3,444 277 7.4 Haralson Harris Hart Heard Henry 10,430 9,881 549 5.3 12,872 12,394 478 3.7 9,595 9,146 449 4.7 5,324 5,061 263 4.9 72,878 69,730 3,148 4.3 10,462 9,847 615 5.9 12,969 12,450 519 4.0 9,745 9,126 619 6.4 5,453 5,038 415 7.6 73,190 69,722 3,468 4.7 Houston Irwin Jackson Jasper Jeff Davis 55,222 53,438 1,784 3.2 5,290 5,020 270 5.1 24,404 23,478 926 3.8 5,234 4,946 288 5.5 5,531 5,061 470 8.5 55,253 53,460 1,793 3.2 5,317 5,009 308 5.8 24,472 23,428 1,044 4.3 5,222 4,929 293 5.6 5,555 5,049 506 9.1 Revised August 2002 Labor Force Employment Unemployment Number Rate 7,560 7,195 365 4.8 10,598 10,171 427 4.0 11,243 10,474 769 6.8 388,139 362,867 25,272 6.5 10,212 9,777 435 4.3 4,453 42,300 52,898 4,833 1,778 4,170 39,601 50,211 4,512 1,718 283 6.4 2,699 6.4 2,687 5.1 321 6.6 60 3.4 19,528 9,619 8,479 5,330 10,067 18,725 9,021 7,850 5,066 9,565 803 4.1 598 6.2 629 7.4 264 5.0 502 5.0 50,011 48,439 1,572 3.1 46,547 44,444 2,103 4.5 60,302 57,846 2,456 4.1 11,108 10,569 539 4.9 429,124 400,447 28,677 6.7 9,438 1,012 37,038 21,958 9,555 9,019 961 35,584 20,933 9,187 419 4.4 51 5.0 1,454 3.9 1,025 4.7 368 3.9 5,758 373,504 16,218 78,627 3,754 5,154 355,943 15,608 75,740 3,376 604 10.5 17,561 4.7 610 3.8 2,887 3.7 378 10.1 10,270 12,682 9,442 5,271 70,720 9,713 12,351 8,899 4,956 67,674 557 5.4 331 2.6 543 5.8 315 6.0 3,046 4.3 54,549 5,086 23,921 5,120 5,576 52,664 4,852 22,871 4,841 4,899 1,885 3.5 234 4.6 1,050 4.4 279 5.4 677 12.1 11 Georgia Labor Force Estimates by County (not seasonally adjusted) Jefferson Jenkins Johnson Jones Lamar Place of Residence - Persons 16 Years and Older Preliminary August 2003 Labor Force Employment Unemployment Number Rate Revised July 2003 Labor Force Employment Unemployment Number Rate 7,269 4,136 3,097 12,630 6,614 6,590 3,929 2,809 12,196 6,219 679 9.3 207 5.0 288 9.3 434 3.4 395 6.0 7,311 4,139 3,118 12,638 6,644 6,574 3,908 2,803 12,201 6,192 737 10.1 231 5.6 315 10.1 437 3.5 452 6.8 Lanier Laurens Lee Liberty Lincoln 3,550 3,468 82 2.3 23,640 22,192 1,448 6.1 13,222 12,825 397 3.0 19,335 18,327 1,008 5.2 2,600 2,389 211 8.1 3,580 23,872 13,278 19,470 2,657 3,461 22,146 12,825 18,287 2,383 119 3.3 1,726 7.2 453 3.4 1,183 6.1 274 10.3 Long Lowndes Lumpkin McDuffie McIntosh 4,988 4,863 125 2.5 45,601 44,124 1,477 3.2 11,260 10,942 318 2.8 9,315 8,777 538 5.8 5,131 4,917 214 4.2 5,027 45,671 11,678 9,655 5,140 4,853 44,028 10,886 8,815 4,906 174 3.5 1,643 3.6 792 6.8 840 8.7 234 4.6 Macon Madison Marion Meriwether Miller 5,426 13,480 2,854 9,286 3,365 4,980 13,003 2,707 8,553 3,207 446 8.2 477 3.5 147 5.2 733 7.9 158 4.7 5,373 13,683 2,898 9,354 3,396 4,965 13,147 2,700 8,515 3,199 408 7.6 536 3.9 198 6.8 839 9.0 197 5.8 Mitchell Monroe Montgomery Morgan Murray 12,331 8,192 3,680 8,241 19,941 11,743 7,755 3,444 7,888 19,218 588 4.8 437 5.3 236 6.4 353 4.3 723 3.6 12,325 8,187 3,679 8,219 19,986 11,712 7,722 3,435 7,867 19,138 613 5.0 465 5.7 244 6.6 352 4.3 848 4.2 Muscogee Newton Oconee Oglethorpe Paulding 85,467 80,388 5,079 5.9 33,953 31,941 2,012 5.9 14,140 13,871 269 1.9 6,704 6,420 284 4.2 47,697 45,777 1,920 4.0 85,576 33,960 14,323 6,711 47,948 80,753 31,937 14,025 6,403 45,771 4,823 5.6 2,023 6.0 298 2.1 308 4.6 2,177 4.5 Peach Pickens Pierce Pike Polk 11,217 12,848 7,907 7,941 18,774 10,440 12,309 7,626 7,544 17,977 777 6.9 539 4.2 281 3.6 397 5.0 797 4.2 11,114 10,445 669 6.0 12,855 12,308 547 4.3 7,909 7,607 302 3.8 7,962 7,513 449 5.6 19,031 17,897 1,134 6.0 Pulaski Putnam Quitman Rabun Randolph 4,230 10,667 1,374 7,785 3,199 4,097 10,316 1,325 7,648 2,981 133 3.1 351 3.3 49 3.6 137 1.8 218 6.8 4,220 10,643 1,375 7,844 3,279 4,075 10,271 1,321 7,640 2,975 145 3.4 372 3.5 54 3.9 204 2.6 304 9.3 Revised August 2002 Labor Force Employment Unemployment Number Rate 7,150 3,948 2,944 12,538 6,563 6,403 3,769 2,724 12,019 6,077 747 10.4 179 4.5 220 7.5 519 4.1 486 7.4 3,531 22,920 12,816 19,392 2,577 3,386 21,689 12,401 18,052 2,321 145 4.1 1,231 5.4 415 3.2 1,340 6.9 256 9.9 4,935 44,614 11,035 9,333 5,094 4,790 43,080 10,657 8,631 4,799 145 2.9 1,534 3.4 378 3.4 702 7.5 295 5.8 5,157 13,274 2,766 9,001 3,217 4,752 12,774 2,611 8,376 3,058 405 7.9 500 3.8 155 5.6 625 6.9 159 4.9 11,889 8,098 3,621 7,888 19,830 11,295 7,606 3,345 7,617 18,904 594 5.0 492 6.1 276 7.6 271 3.4 926 4.7 85,162 32,922 13,903 6,539 46,279 80,111 30,999 13,626 6,260 44,427 5,051 5.9 1,923 5.8 277 2.0 279 4.3 1,852 4.0 10,906 12,386 7,683 7,743 18,578 10,289 11,946 7,355 7,393 17,650 617 5.7 440 3.6 328 4.3 350 4.5 928 5.0 4,182 10,465 1,342 7,596 3,128 3,944 10,083 1,291 7,437 2,855 238 5.7 382 3.7 51 3.8 159 2.1 273 8.7 12 Georgia Labor Force Estimates by County (not seasonally adjusted) Richmond Rockdale Schley Screven Seminole Place of Residence - Persons 16 Years and Older Preliminary August 2003 Labor Force Employment Unemployment Number Rate Revised July 2003 Labor Force Employment Unemployment Number Rate 82,435 77,642 4,793 5.8 40,468 38,651 1,817 4.5 1,796 1,708 88 4.9 5,662 5,306 356 6.3 4,704 4,541 163 3.5 83,612 77,973 5,639 6.7 40,514 38,647 1,867 4.6 1,804 1,700 104 5.8 5,832 5,294 538 9.2 4,734 4,527 207 4.4 Spalding Stephens Stewart Sumter Talbot 29,674 27,781 1,893 6.4 12,750 11,962 788 6.2 2,327 2,174 153 6.6 14,708 13,894 814 5.5 3,170 2,973 197 6.2 30,036 27,777 2,259 7.5 12,972 11,938 1,034 8.0 2,326 2,169 157 6.7 14,727 13,863 864 5.9 3,161 2,959 202 6.4 Taliaferro Tattnall Taylor Telfair Terrell 830 7,153 3,837 3,923 4,019 769 6,860 3,630 3,621 3,766 61 7.3 293 4.1 207 5.4 302 7.7 253 6.3 835 7,177 3,775 3,988 4,049 767 6,837 3,619 3,613 3,756 68 8.1 340 4.7 156 4.1 375 9.4 293 7.2 Thomas Tift Toombs Towns Treutlen 23,365 21,317 11,460 4,700 2,927 22,507 20,526 10,677 4,611 2,730 858 3.7 791 3.7 783 6.8 89 1.9 197 6.7 23,487 21,244 11,560 4,712 3,046 22,459 20,477 10,651 4,605 2,723 1,028 4.4 767 3.6 909 7.9 107 2.3 323 10.6 Troup Turner Twiggs Union Upson 31,622 29,873 1,749 5.5 4,653 4,355 298 6.4 4,401 4,193 208 4.7 9,166 8,840 326 3.6 10,856 10,109 747 6.9 32,028 29,814 2,214 6.9 4,692 4,343 349 7.4 4,429 4,195 234 5.3 9,132 8,824 308 3.4 10,800 10,090 710 6.6 Walker Walton Ware Warren Washington 30,799 33,045 15,517 2,498 9,533 29,715 31,320 14,841 2,240 9,054 1,084 3.5 1,725 5.2 676 4.4 258 10.3 479 5.0 30,901 32,647 15,582 2,613 9,588 29,647 31,317 14,811 2,236 9,032 1,254 4.1 1,330 4.1 771 4.9 377 14.4 556 5.8 Wayne Webster Wheeler White Whitfield 11,742 11,154 588 5.0 1,167 1,118 49 4.2 2,046 1,876 170 8.3 9,968 9,661 307 3.1 49,608 48,101 1,507 3.0 11,809 1,170 2,080 10,040 49,749 11,131 1,113 1,872 9,645 48,000 678 5.7 57 4.9 208 10.0 395 3.9 1,749 3.5 Wilcox Wilkes Wilkinson Worth 3,550 5,199 4,301 9,411 3,369 4,787 4,059 8,936 181 5.1 412 7.9 242 5.6 475 5.0 3,588 5,246 4,312 9,375 3,361 4,761 4,051 8,908 227 6.3 485 9.2 261 6.1 467 5.0 Revised August 2002 Labor Force Employment Unemployment Number Rate 81,928 39,229 1,716 5,419 4,542 76,346 37,512 1,657 5,100 4,320 5,582 6.8 1,717 4.4 59 3.4 319 5.9 222 4.9 28,867 12,401 2,218 14,414 3,066 26,961 11,738 2,102 13,495 2,901 1,906 6.6 663 5.3 116 5.2 919 6.4 165 5.4 832 6,906 3,660 3,909 3,964 738 6,505 3,497 3,480 3,600 94 11.3 401 5.8 163 4.5 429 11.0 364 9.2 22,813 20,627 11,359 4,579 2,900 21,881 19,848 10,372 4,471 2,652 932 4.1 779 3.8 987 8.7 108 2.4 248 8.6 31,212 4,452 4,392 8,840 10,850 29,347 4,133 4,132 8,508 9,904 1,865 6.0 319 7.2 260 5.9 332 3.8 946 8.7 30,612 31,722 15,242 2,487 9,345 29,383 30,397 14,512 2,184 8,845 1,229 4.0 1,325 4.2 730 4.8 303 12.2 500 5.4 11,591 1,112 1,970 9,685 49,039 10,895 1,067 1,803 9,372 47,330 696 6.0 45 4.0 167 8.5 313 3.2 1,709 3.5 3,408 5,031 4,291 9,062 3,236 4,632 3,998 8,566 172 5.0 399 7.9 293 6.8 496 5.5 13 New Developments Mestek, Inc. is expanding its operations with the addition of 25,000 square feet of manufacturing space at its plant in Wrens . Representing a price tag of about $6 million, Westek's expansion project will include a new product line of air distribution products, including diffusers, grills and registers for the industrial and commercial market. The plant currently produces fire dampers, back draft dampers and the "Space Pak" portable residential air conditioning system. Headquartered in Westfield, Mass., Westek operates more than 30 specialty manufacturing facilities providing heating, ventilating and air conditioning products, coil handling equipment, extruded aluminum products and computer information systems and services. The company opened the Wrens facility in 1970 with about 68 people. Today Westek employs about 120. When the expansion is completed, the company hopes to fill about 35-40 job vacancies that will generate about $1 million per year in new wages in Jefferson County. Georgia Crown Distributing is moving its opera- tions to a new facility in McDonough. Carrying a price tag of $12.5 million, Georgia Crown recently purchased the land on a 40-acre site in the Westridge Industrial Park where construction recently began. The new facility will be the company's new headquarters and will also house a distribution warehouse and its maintenance operations. It will include more than 29,000 square feet for the office structure, 414,534 square feet for warehouse space and a 21,684-square-foot maintenance facility. Currently headquartered in Columbus, Georgia Crown is a full service beverage distributor that sells imported and domestic spirits, wines, beers and specialty products. In 1990, the company expanded and entered the home and office bottled water business. Georgia Crown currently has between 25 and 30 people in Columbus and employs about 1,600 people in Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee. The construction project is expected to be completed by August 2004 and will initially employ about 125 people. However, that number could grow to 200 at a future date in Henry County. MBM Corporation recently announced plans that it will begin operating a distribution center in Cordele . The new facility will be located in the building previously occupied by Phillips Electric. The current facility, which is 77,100 square feet, will be expanded to include an additional 30,000 square feet of freezer and refrigerated space. MBM is one of the leading privately owned food service distributors in the United States. It provides supplies to restaurant chains in Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee and South Carolina. Some of the chains served by MBM are Olive Garden, Chick-Fil-A, Golden Corral and Red Lobster, Arby's, Burger King and Bahama Breeze. MBM will also benefit from the Georgia Quick Start program for employee training through the South Georgia Technical College programs. The new facility is expected to be up and running in November and will employ about 80 new workers during the first year of operation. It is expected to increase by an additional 100 people by the second year giving an economic boost to Crisp County. The Omni Hotel is nearing the final stages of its $100 million expansion at the CNN Center in downtown Atlanta. Located adjacent to such major tourist attractions as the Georgia World Congress Center, Philips Arena and Centennial Olympic Park, the 600room tower is adjacent to the existing 15-story Omni Hotel, which also got a $9 million renovation. The new facility is expected to open in November, creating approximately 400 new jobs in Fulton County. 14 Georgia Unemployment Rates by County August 2003 Dade Catoosa Whitfield Walker Murray Chattooga Gordon Floyd Bartow Fannin Towns Union Rabun Gilmer Pickens Cherokee White Haber- Lumpkin sham Stephens Dawson Forsyth Hall Banks Franklin Jackson Madison Hart Elbert 10% or greater 4.7% to 9.9% Less than 4.7% Polk Haralson Cobb Paulding Douglas Gwinnett Barrow Clarke Oconee Oglethorpe DeKalb Walton Rock- Wilkes Lincoln Carroll Fulton Clayton dale Newton Morgan Greene Taliaferro Columbia Heard Fayette Henry Coweta Spalding Butts Jasper Putnam Hancock McDuffie Warren Glascock Richmond Troup Meriwether Pike Lamar Monroe Jones Baldwin Jefferson Washington Burke Harris Upson Talbot Bibb Crawford Wilkinson 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 Worth Irwin Tift Coffee Early Miller Baker Mitchell Colquitt Berrien Atkinson Cook Lanier Seminole Decatur Grady Thomas Brooks Lowndes Clinch Echols Bacon Wayne Pierce Ware Brantley McIntosh Glynn Charlton Camden Georgia's Unemployment Rate: 4.7% 15 Georgia Unemployment Insurance Claims by County County August Average Initial Weekly Average Claims Benefit Duration County August Average Initial Weekly Average Claims Benefit Duration Appling 77 ...... $215 ..... 10.5 Atkinson 94 ...... $200 ........8.3 Bacon 39 ...... $210 ........7.6 Baker 8 ...... $154 ......11.7 Baldwin 324 ...... $190 ........9.5 Banks 65 ...... $213 ........9.0 Barrow 246 ...... $210 ..... 12.5 Bartow 497 ...... $226 ..... 10.2 Ben Hill 187 ...... $159 ........7.8 Berrien 65 ...... $190 ........9.9 Bibb 611 ...... $175 ..... 13.2 Bleckley 49 ...... $157 ........9.4 Brantley 67 ...... $238 ..... 15.4 Brooks 35 ...... $182 ..... 10.1 Bryan 55 ...... $231 ..... 10.8 Bulloch 186 ...... $207 ..... 12.0 Burke 243 ...... $181 ..... 10.7 Butts 107 ...... $211 ..... 12.2 Calhoun 20 ...... $168 ..... 12.4 Camden 88 ...... $187 ..... 17.3 Candler 36 ...... $184 ......11.9 Carroll 400 ...... $215 ..... 12.3 Catoosa 286 ...... $240 ........8.0 Charlton 30 ...... $179 ..... 14.5 Chatham 614 ...... $201 ..... 12.7 Chattahoochee 10 ...... $186 ..... 13.6 Chattooga 56 ...... $219 ..... 13.4 Cherokee 442 ...... $244 ..... 13.6 Clarke 394 ...... $196 ......11.9 Clay 13 ...... $162 ........8.5 Clayton 1,464 ...... $222 ..... 15.0 Clinch 27 ...... $204 ......11.1 Cobb 1,808 ...... $241 ..... 16.3 Coffee 298 ...... $202 ........9.2 Colquitt 224 ...... $165 ..... 10.8 Columbia 197 ...... $226 ..... 13.1 Cook 174 ...... $199 ..... 10.1 Coweta 354 ...... $229 ......11.2 Crawford 61 ...... $207 ..... 10.9 Crisp 78 ...... $162 ..... 12.6 Dade 34 ...... $226 ........6.5 Dawson 46 ...... $238 ..... 12.3 Decatur 133 ...... $174 ......11.0 DeKalb 2,950 ...... $227 ..... 15.5 Dodge 59 ...... $175 ......11.6 Dooly 53 ...... $145 ..... 12.5 Dougherty 361 ...... $163 ..... 12.2 Douglas 393 ...... $243 ..... 14.7 Early 30 ...... $164 ..... 13.9 Echols 7 ...... $253 ........7.9 Effingham 131 ...... $244 ........9.1 Elbert 237 ...... $174 ........7.4 Emanuel 140 ...... $163 ........9.6 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 20 ...... $195 ......11.5 110 ...... $199 ..... 14.0 183 ...... $246 ..... 13.8 916 ...... $214 ........9.0 232 ...... $254 ..... 16.3 209 ...... $208 ........8.4 3,244 ...... $219 ..... 15.9 99 ...... $226 ........9.0 12 ...... $232 ..... 10.0 206 ...... $198 ..... 14.6 385 ...... $212 ........7.3 86 ...... $186 ........8.6 104 ...... $154 ..... 10.5 2,060 ...... $245 ..... 15.2 207 ...... $204 ........7.4 534 ...... $216 ..... 10.8 112 ...... $153 ........9.4 108 ...... $217 ..... 10.9 142 ...... $234 ........9.2 403 ...... $166 ........7.7 43 ...... $234 ..... 10.3 500 ...... $234 ..... 14.5 349 ...... $200 ..... 12.2 51 ...... $169 ..... 10.3 166 ...... $220 ..... 10.8 84 ...... $211 ..... 10.1 43 ...... $199 ........9.9 137 ...... $187 ..... 10.9 77 ...... $177 ........8.9 64 ...... $162 ..... 10.6 110 ...... $204 ..... 12.0 114 ...... $196 ........9.5 17 ...... $166 ......11.6 513 ...... $177 ........9.6 213 ...... $243 ........8.6 107 ...... $183 ..... 14.3 53 ...... $205 ..... 10.0 16 ...... $204 ..... 12.7 296 ...... $183 ........9.7 116 ...... $208 ........7.3 150 ...... $160 ........8.1 152 ...... $216 ........9.3 72 ...... $187 ........9.6 141 ...... $171 ......11.5 36 ...... $186 ..... 16.7 167 ...... $216 ........9.2 14 ...... $179 ..... 13.1 156 ...... $136 ......11.9 91 ...... $224 ..... 10.6 36 ...... $193 ......11.5 131 ...... $188 ..... 10.3 199 ...... $208 ........6.0 1,390 ...... $194 ......11.1 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. 16 County August 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 404 ...... $225 ..... 12.5 72 ...... $224 ..... 12.0 80 ...... $205 ........9.9 290 ...... $248 ..... 14.0 234 ...... $185 ..... 10.6 81 ...... $236 ......11.3 61 ...... $190 ..... 12.6 93 ...... $214 ......11.1 300 ...... $207 ........8.6 30 ...... $185 ..... 10.7 212 ...... $170 ........6.9 3 ...... $175 ..... 12.2 36 ...... $210 ........6.0 67 ...... $169 ........9.0 819 ...... $187 ..... 12.9 302 ...... $233 ..... 14.2 19 ...... $186 ........9.8 170 ...... $194 ........9.4 21 ...... $187 ..... 13.0 643 ...... $202 ......11.0 289 ...... $209 ........9.4 120 ...... $157 ........9.5 163 ...... $166 ......11.6 65 ...... $198 ........9.7 17 ...... $167 ..... 10.9 38 ...... $190 ..... 12.2 76 ...... $187 ........8.3 55 ...... $167 ..... 10.0 50 ...... $130 ........8.8 190 ...... $168 ..... 10.8 171 ...... $177 ........9.4 118 ...... $196 ..... 10.7 20 ...... $226 ..... 10.3 102 ...... $176 ........9.1 475 ...... $207 ........9.3 53 ...... $182 ........9.6 44 ...... $188 ..... 12.8 78 ...... $192 ..... 13.1 206 ...... $193 ........9.8 278 ...... $205 ........7.6 421 ...... $225 ......11.5 132 ...... $183 ..... 12.2 54 ...... $169 ........9.5 101 ...... $178 ..... 12.1 114 ...... $203 ......11.9 33 ...... $165 ........9.7 22 ...... $172 ........9.2 85 ...... $208 ........8.7 512 ...... $215 ........5.8 24 ...... $168 ..... 10.8 134 ...... $157 ........9.3 65 ...... $189 ..... 10.6 89 ...... $170 ........9.4 Unemployment Insurance Statistics Average duration of benefits Weeks Last 12 months 14.0 13.1 13.0 12.8 12.9 12.9 12.9 12.6 12.4 12.2 12.1 12.1 12.0 12.0 12.0 11.0 10.0 9.0 Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug 02 03 Initial claims Thousand 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 12.5 percent over the year... Claims activity for the month of August fell as seasonal layoffs in the manufacturing industry subsided. Next to January, July typically has the largest number of short-term layoffs during the year, primarily in textiles and apparel manufacturing and transportation equipment manufacturing. Initial claims for August totaled 43,264, a 31.4 percent decrease from July's figure of 63,023. Initial claims filings continue to be up over the year, as this month's figure rose 12.5 percent from last August. During August, 80,986 beneficiaries drew $59,022,973 in benefit payments. The number of claimants declined by 19.3 percent over the month while climbing 8.1 percent when compared to August of last year. For the month, there were $10.8 million in benefit payments in services ($5.5 million in business services), $6.4 million in manufacturing ($1.5 million in textiles), $6 million in trade ($3.8 million in retail trade) and $3.2 million in construction ($2.2 million in special trade construction). First payments were down 42.8 percent over the month, falling from 28,632 last month to August's total of 16,378. First payments also fell over the year, down 3.6 percent from August's 2002 figure of 16,981. Benefit exhaustions declined 26.7 percent from July to August, down from 11,735 to 8,603. Over the year, benefit exhaustions were up 4.3 percent. There were 8,417 claims filed for extended benefits in August. The number of weeks jobless workers drew unemployment insurance benefits held at 12.0 weeks during August. The average duration has steadily declined since November of last year, when the duration stood at 13.1 weeks. The duration was down 6.3 percent from last August's duration of 12.8 weeks. Statistical Trends August 2003 August 2002 Net Change Percent Change Initial Claims ............................................................ 43,264 ............................... 38,459 ................................... 4,805 .............................. 12.5% Continued Weeks Claimed .................................... 284,432 ............................. 279,809 ................................... 4,623 ................................ 1.7% Beneficiaries .......................................................... 80,986 ............................... 74,910 ................................... 6,076 ................................ 8.1% Benefits Paid ................................................. $59,022,973 ...................... $56,296,675 .......................... $2,726,298 ................................ 4.8% Weeks Paid .......................................................... 248,935 ............................. 242,008 ................................... 6,927 ................................ 2.9% First Payments ....................................................... 16,378 ............................... 16,981 ..................................... -603 ...............................-3.6% Final Payments ......................................................... 8,603 ................................. 8,246 ...................................... 357 ................................ 4.3% Average Weekly Benefit ...................................... $237.10 ............................. $232.62 ................................... $4.48 ................................ 1.9% Average Duration (weeks) ........................................ 12.0 ................................... 12.8 ...................................... -0.8 ...............................-6.3% Trust Fund Balance..................................... $877,065,651 ..................$1,420,898,611 ..................... -$543,832,960 .............................-38.3% 17 The Georgia Workforce Conference will be held on November 13-14, 2003 at the Macon Centreplex Coliseum and Convention Centre, a spacious facility with ample free parking. This year's conference will focus on using Georgia Department of Labor services and other state and local resources as a catalyst to help Georgia create new jobs and protect existing ones. Attendees will discuss innovative ways to bolster Georgia's economy by expanding existing businesses and enhancing the education and skills of Georgia's workforce. Visit our conference web site at www.dol.state.ga.us For additional information, call Faye Duzan at (404) 232-3875, Ext. 21271 or email gwcinfo@dol.state.ga.us 18 WI&A Customer Satisfaction Team We are proud to serve you. Please contact any team member should you need assistance regarding any of our products or publications. Employment Jan Mayo: Current Employment by industry for State and MSAs, hours and earnings Cheryl Totton or Ann Hunter: Employment and Wages for State, MSAs and counties Occupational & Career Information Ridley Hubbard: Occupational employment, forecasts and wages Elaine Hayes: Occupational Employment Survey Electronic Delivery Winston Connally: User Applications Other Workforce Information Areas Faye Duzan: The Workforce Investment Act and LMI, & training needs Bill Webb: Economic Indicators for State and Atlanta MSA Nancy Murphy: General Information on the Workforce Information and Analysis Division The WI&A Customer Satisfaction Team: Committed To Total Customer Satisfaction Through Outstanding Customer Service Workforce.Info@dol.state.ga.us (404) 232-3875 Upcoming Events Press Release Dates September Unemployment Insurance Claims .................. Oct. 9 Georgia Unemployment Rate/ Non-farmEmployment .......... Oct. 16 Civilian Labor Force/Area Unemployment Rates .......... Oct. 23 October Unemployment Insurance Claims ................ Nov. 13 Georgia Unemployment Rate/ Non-farmEmployment .......... Nov. 20 Civilian Labor Force/Area Unemployment Rates .......... Nov. 27 Let us hear from you! t Moved (Please provide the correct mailing address below.) t Please remove my name from your mailing list. t I'm interested in other types of information (please explain). Name: ________________________________________________ New Address: __________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Comments/Suggestions/Requests: ____________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Please return this form to: Customer Satisfaction Team, 223 Courtland Street, NE, Suite 300, Atlanta, GA 30303; or fax info to (404) 232-3888; or email info to Workforce.Info@dol.state.ga.us 19 Georgia Department of Labor Workforce Information & Analysis 148 Andrew Young International Boulevard, N.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1751 Return Service Requested