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Area holding own in jobs; not improving
BIZ Sept 09 County map
Hinesville and all of Coastal Georgia’s unemployment numbers continue to be stronger than those statewide and across the country, but still did not show any improvements in September.
The Georgia Department of Labor reported Thursday that the preliminary unadjusted unemployment rate in the metro Hinesville area rose to 8 percent in September, up two-tenths of a percent from August’s rate.
Along the coast, the preliminary unadjusted unemployment rate was unchanged at 8.5 percent from August to September. Meanwhile, the number of unemployed workers in the area decreased by 28, from 26,960 in August to 26,932 in September.
In September 2008, there were 19,539 jobless workers in the Coastal area in September 2008, when the unemployment rate was 6.1 percent.
In and around Hinesville itself, the number of unemployed workers in the area increased by 55, from 2,467 in August to 2,522 in September.
In September 2008, there were 2,040 jobless workers in Hinesville, when the unemployment rate was 6.3 percent. The number of payroll jobs in metro Hinesville was 19,000, a loss of 700, or 3.6 percent, from 19,700 in September 2008.
Statewide, the number of payroll jobs in September was 3,844,400, a decrease of 237,100, or 5.8 percent, from 4,081,500 in September of 2008. The over-the-year losses came in manufacturing, trade, construction, and administrative support services, including temporary employment services, according to State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurman.  Educational and health services added 13,700 jobs over the year. The state’s labor force decreased 117,230, or 2.4 percent, from 4,852,086 in September 2008 to 4,734,856 in September 2009.
Meanwhile, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged at 10.1 percent from August to September. The rate remained above the national rate of 9.8 percent for the 23nd consecutive month.
Thurmond stressed that job creation is critical for economic recovery, with the focus being on stimulating private sector job growth, particularly through Georgia’s small and medium-sized businesses. He encouraged employers and job seekers to take advantage of the opportunities available through expanded use of the Georgia Work$ initiative. For more information about the GW$ hiring strategy, visit www.dol.state.ga.us or e-mail inquiries to gawork$@dol.state.ga.us. GW$ telephone operators are available at 1-877-967-5709.
The local area unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted. Georgia labor market data are available at www.dol.state.ga.us
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