| May 2009 | April 2009 | May 2008 | Month to month % | Year over year % | |
| Bartow | 1,069 | 1,464 | 574 | -27% | +86.2% |
| Chattooga | 95 | 114 | 87 | -16.7% | +9.2% |
| Floyd | 1,024 | 1,570 | 755 | -34.8% | +35.6% |
| Gordon | 1,010 | 1,232 | 810 | -18% | +24.7% |
| Polk | 491 | 923 | 271 | -46.8% | +81.2% |
| State | 75,436 | 84,346 | 44,711 | -10.6% | +68.7% |
Source: Georgia Department of Labor
All five Northwest Georgia counties saw a double-digit drop in first-time jobless assistance claims in May but compared to the same month last year, it was a far different story.
-In Floyd, 1,024 claims were filed, down almost 35 percent from April but up 35.6 percent from May 2008.
-Bartow saw the most claims, 1,069, which was down 27 percent from the previous month but up 86.2 percent vs. May 2008. Bartow has seen the largest single layoff of the year: 659 jobs at Trinity Rail Car.
-Gordon County also was four digits--1,010--vs. 923 the month before and 810 a year earlier. Several closings or layoffs have been announced, including the loss of a Shaw plant (390 jobs)
-Polk County, stung earlier this year by the loss of 80 jobs at HON Co., saw 491 claims last month, down near 47 percent from April but up 81.2 percent from a year earlier.
-Statewide: 75,436 laid-off workers filed first-time claims for state unemployment insurance benefits in May, an increase of 68.7 percent from May 2008 but down 10.6 percent from April. 
-Says Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond: "The over-the-year increases in initial claims have declined from the triple-digits we experienced earlier in the year. Initial claims were also down from April to May in 11 of our state's 14 metro areas. I remain hopeful that Georgia's job losses will continue to decline in the coming months."
-Who lost jobs: Workers in manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, construction, and administrative and support services. Also: the number of jobless workers receiving unemployment insurance benefits rose 110 percent over the year, from 74,981 in May of 2008 to 157,544 in May of 2009.
-Gingrey to host job retraining workshops June 30, July 2> Business
Business Buzz
VW's 85% 'local content' goal a good sign for local vendors? A story posted on Automotive News should keep regional auto parts suppliers happy. The new VW plant rising in Chattanooga has a goal of 85 percent North American content. A 75-member purchasing team will be based in Chattanooga. Sounds like the Georgia Allies (a state economic development team) needs to be front and center> VW
West Georgia's KIA plant pushes production back to January: KIA Motors will start producing cars from West Point in January, a bit later than scheduled, citing the recession, according to Trading Markets.
Talking the talk at ribbon-cutting today for Highwoods' River Point IV in Emerson: Get ready for several speakers today as Highwoods Properties cuts the ribbon on a 200,000-square-foot industrial site at 11:30 a.m. Half of it will serve as the home of Beverage House, a premium beverages and concentrates supplier. Our take: Let the mayor and company officials speak all they want. Anyone building--and leasing--in today's environment is doing something right.
Number of the day--2.8 million shoppers: That's how many people shop at Mount Berry Square ("mall annual traffic"), according to leasing information posted on the Jones Lang LaSalle Web site (click). JLL took over mall operations a few months back.
Call it 'prime' time shopping: Give the folks at Prime Outlets in Calhoun a thumbs up for creative marketing ideas. Now through June 21, Prime Outlets is offering "corporate days." Show your corporate ID at the guest services office and get extra discounts at outlet stores. Smart move> Details
On the menu at City Cellar & Loft: There's been some Internet traffic on The City Cellar & Loft at 110 S. Museum Drive in downtown Cartersville. It looks like the opening is next week with perhaps a preview this weekend. We do have a preview of the menu, courtesy of the Web site> Menu
Thursday's Buzz:
-Stephanie Dunn named head coach for Berry's women's basketball > BC
-Synovus, parent company of Citizens First and GB&T, has declared a penny-a-share dividend. It is payable July 1 to shareholders of record as of June 18.
-Rec department plans full day of fun on July 4 at Ridge Ferry> Details
-Drought's over; state lifts water restrictions> AJC & Watering guidelines
-CVTC's Don Hatcher honored with Paragon Award> Campus Headlines
-Darice Lewis named Polk campus manager for CVTC> Campus Headlines
-Darlington honored by Blood Assurance: Darlington has received the Most Improved Award from Blood Assurance for the 2008-09 school year. "Last school year, 33 units were donated ... compared to the 94 units donated this year," said Jill Rogers, regional manager with Blood Assurance. "Darlington's blood drives are great for us. The students are wonderful, and the faculty really supports us."> Details
-Georgia.org gets new look, expanded mission to court business> Click
Procession to escort Sgt. Jordan's body to funeral home today:
-The body of Sgt. Jeffrey Jordan is scheduled to arrive at Richard B. Russell Airport/Towers Field at 10:45 a.m. Thursday. A procession will leave the airport and take U.S. 27 South to Turner McCall Boulevard. It will then take Turner McCall to the Maple Road exit and turn left onto Maple Road following Maple Road to Henderson & Sons Funeral Home.
-The family will receive friends at Henderson & Sons from 6 until 9 this evening.
-Funeral services will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. at the Pleasant Valley South Baptist Church with the Rev. Rob Miller and the Rev. Robert Vines officiating. Burial will follow with full military honors at Oaknoll Memorial Gardens.
-For the complete obituary, please click Henderson & Sons (also photo source)
>How to help: An account has been established for Jeff's son, Tailor, at Coosa Valley Federal Credit Union> Click
Dining & Drink
-Later today: Latest public health restaurant scores.
-Montaluce's gamble on Georgia's wine country has just begun> NewsVine
-On the road this Sunday? Try The Old Mill: Downtown Acworth landmark serves a brunch that covers breakfast, dinner choices--and more> Click
Weather:
-Thursday: 50% chance of showers, thunderstorms. High of 89.
-Thursday night: 30% chance of showers, thunderstorms. Low of 68.
-Friday: 50% chance of showers, storms; high of 90.
-Extended forecast: Click Weather
-Latest local Radar / Latest regional Radar
Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable:
-It's always the media's fault; Montana not heading south; draft shows how time flies.
-Rome falls to Savannah, 4-3.
-Up next: Tonight, Thursday at Savannah.
-Latest Mills Fitzner game photos> Gallery
Downtown Headlines:
-What's ahead this week in downtown Rome including Saturday's cruise-in.
-Bryan Mullins of MullinsMania.com: Downtown entertainment scene.
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