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State jobless rate hangs at 10.1 percent
1016 state job chart
Special to the Couirer
Updated: Oct 16, 2009, 1:05 PM
Published: Oct 16, 2009, 1:11 PM
ATLANTA — The Georgia Department of Labor reported this week that the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged at 10.1 percent from August to September. Previously, the August rate had been reported at 10.2 percent, but was revised downward slightly.
The September jobless rate was up 3.5 percentage points from 6.6 percent at this same time last year. Georgia’s unemployment rate remained above the national rate of 9.8 percent for the 23rd consecutive month.
“Georgia’s September unemployment rate is unchanged from the previous month, however underlying trends confirm continuing job market deterioration,” State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond said.
The number of payroll jobs in September decreased 237,100, or 5.8 percent, from September 2008.
The metropolitan areas with the highest percentage of job losses during the same period are Dalton, down 8.4 percent; Rome, down 6.2 percent; and Atlanta, down 5.9 percent. The metropolitan areas with the smallest percentage of job losses are Athens, down 1.8 percent; Brunswick, down 2.0 percent; and Columbus, down 2.3 percent. The over-the-year losses came in manufacturing, trade, construction, and administrative support services, including temporary employment services. On a positive note, 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. The number of jobless workers receiving regular state unemployment benefits increased 51,779 or 58.8 percent, from 88,121 in September 2008 to 139,900 in September 2009. Another 150,000 received federal extended unemployment compensation.
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 the Georgia Works initiative.
For more information about the initiative’s hiring strategy, go to www.dol.state.ga.us, e-mail inquiries to gawork$@dol.state.ga.us or call 1-877-967-5709.
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GPA grows trade, market share
Intermodal volume up 20 percent
port photo
Rubber tired gantry cranes handle cargo at the Chatham Intermodal Container Transfer Facility at the Port of Savannah. The Georgia Ports Authority's Mason Mega Rail project will double rail lift capacity to 1 million containers per year by 2020 - photo by Provided
Staff Report
Updated: Apr 17, 2018, 1:07 PM
Published: Apr 17, 2018, 1:08 PM

The Georgia Ports Authority achieved 14 percent growth in March container volumes, moving 355,208 20-foot equivalent unit (TEU) containers.

From July 2017 to March, TEU container trade grew by 9 percent, or 255,786 additional units for a total of 3.08 million, a new record for Savannah.

"Savannah's continued strength is a reflection of our customers' commitment, Georgia's leadership, and the many dedicated service providers, GPA employees and ILA members who come together every day to achieve great things," said GPA Executive Director Griff Lynch. "March marked our 17th consecutive month of business expansion thanks, in part, to a strong economy and growing market share."

Intermodal rail volumes jumped by 20 percent in March and 15.4 percent for the fiscal year to date, for a total of 318,454 containers handled over nine months – another record for the GPA.

"As the numbers show, our rail cargo is growing at a faster pace than our overall trade," GPA Chairman Jimmy Allgood said. "This is important because rail is playing a key role in our responsible growth strategy. We anticipate our rail infrastructure investments to take 250,000 trucks off the road each year by 2020."

The GPA recently broke ground on its Mason Mega Rail Terminal, on which the Port of Savannah will build 10,000-foot unit trains within its own footprint. From the expanded rail infrastructure at Garden City Terminal, Class I rail providers CSX and Norfolk Southern will provide direct rail service to major Southeast and Midwestern markets from Memphis to St. Louis, Chicago to Cincinnati.

An added benefit is that the Mason Mega Rail project will move all rail switching on terminal – improving vehicle traffic flow around the port.

In August, the GPA will open its Appalachian Regional Port in Murray County. Located in an industrial belt, including the production and export of carpet and flooring, automobiles and tires, the ARP will provide an alternative to all-truck transit to Northwest Georgia.

Each round-trip container moved via the Appalachian Regional Port will offset 710 truck miles on Georgia highways.

March was also a strong month for roll-on/roll-off auto and machinery units at the Port of Brunswick and Ocean Terminal in Savannah. Colonel's Island Terminal in Brunswick handled 66,144 cars, trucks and tractors, while Ocean Terminal added 4,050, for a total 70,194, a 17.2 percent increase.

"The global economy is thriving and our volumes are following suit," Lynch said. "As existing accounts grow their footprint in the expanding auto facility in Brunswick, Georgia's competitive logistical advantages are drawing additional business across all of our docks."

Lynch noted that for the fiscal year to date, Mayor's Point breakbulk terminal in Brunswick grew by 44 percent (34,515 tons) to reach 112,728 tons of forest products. At East River Terminal, bulk cargo expanded by 34 percent July-March (189,918 tons) for a total of 750,384 tons.

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