Thursday, April 1, 2010

Bartow's jobless rate down slightly; Unity-Ozark, one week in

 

February jobless rate: Bartow, Gordon see decreases; Floyd rises again

 

Feb. 2010 Employed

Feb. 2010

Unemployed

Feb. 2010

% jobless

Jan. 2010

% jobless

Feb. 2009 % jobless
Bartow
39,833
5,517
12.2%
12.7%
10.7%
Chattooga
9,000
1,463
14.0%
12.4%
13.7%
Floyd
43,964
5,356
10.9%
10.8%
9.3%
Gordon
20,971
3,359
13.8%
14.1%
11.9%
Polk
18,623
2,373
11.3%
11.2%
9.9%
State
4,192,977
509,353
10.8%
10.8%
9.1%

Source: Georgia Department of Labor

>Regional report: Floyd County's jobless rate creeped upward again in February to 10.9 percent, vs. 9.3 percent a year earlier. January saw several retail closings--The Gap, Chico's--which could have some impact on the overall numbers.

-Bartow County saw a month-to-month drop, 12.7 percent to 12.5 percent, while Gordon County also saw a slight dip.

-Chattooga County's jobless rate climbed to 14 percent while Polk County saw the largest year-to-year increase.

-Bottom line: 18,068 people were without jobs in the five-county market while the state total topped the half-million mark: 509,353.

>Georgia's report: The state's unemployment rate rose to a record 10.5 percent in February vs. 9.1 percent a year earlier.
-Who sought help: In February, 1,012 laid-off workers in Rome filed initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits, a decrease of 482, or 32.3 percent, from 1,494 in January. There was a decrease of 358, or 26.1 percent, from 1,370 claims filed in February 2009. Statewide 66,069 laid-off workers filed initial claims, a decrease of 29,195, or 30.6 percent from 95,264 in January. And, there was a decline of 20,450, or 23.6 percent, from 86,519 claims filed in February 2009. 

-Lost jobs: Most of the first-time claims filed were in manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, construction, and administrative and support services.
-Says Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond: "Georgia's job market has reached a critical inflection point. Stabilizing unemployment rates and significant declines in new layoffs suggest that we are on the threshold of sustainable job growth."

Unity/Bank of the Ozarks, one week in:

As the first week of new ownership comes to an end, we take a closer look at the Bank of the Ozarks' immediate plans for the former Unity National Bank: -Troubled loans are being reviewed to determine 'best, ultimate resolution.'

-The bank is eager to loan money, to serve as an 'economic engine.'

-Unity's president and CEO has not been retained.

-Growth--locally and in the state--is a key goal.

-Ozarks' performance: 9 straight years of record profits; 28% 'Texas ratio.'

-For more, click Business.

Politics/May 11 special elections

Three candidates qualify for House District 12 seat:  As of Wednesday's noon deadline, Rick Jasperse of Jasper and Truett Moss II of Calhoun, both Republicans, and Jerry Nally, a Rydal Democrat, had qualified with the secretary of state's office to seek the post vacated by Tom Graves>Updates (corrected)

-Eight qualify to seek U.S. House District 9 seat in May 11 election> Gordon Headlines

City of Cartersville offices closed for Good Friday.

-Holy Week Services> Click

What's ahead in Bartow County:

-April 1: Cartersville City Council, 7 p.m. Hear it live on WBHF 1450 AM or Web cast here on Bartow Headlines. Among the topics: Discussion of a request to extend pouring hours at pubs and bars on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.. Click Agenda

-April 3: Car show set: Advance Auto Parts presents the Tom Clayton Memorial Car Cruise in downtown Cartersville from 5-8 p.m., featuring hourly giveaways, People's Choice Award and a DJ on site. $2 admission per classic car. Contact: Cartersville DDA, 770-607-3480. 2010 car cruise schedule includes these dates: May 1, June 5, July 3 and Aug. 7

-April 14: 'Local Goverment Expo' highlights 'energy to transform: A free lunch and giveaways are part of the program set for 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. by the fountain and in Friendship Plaza. Participating are: the City of Cartersville; Advocates for Children; Georgia Museums Inc.; Keep Bartow Beautiful; and the Cartersville-Bartow Chamber of Commerce.

-April 15: Cartersville City Council, 7 p.m. Hear it live on WBHF 1450 AM or Web cast here on Bartow Headlines.

Your latest forecast:

-Thursday: Sunny with a high of 82.

-Thursday night: Crystal skies with a low of 45.

-Friday: 86 degrees under sunny skies.

-Friday night: Low of 50.

-Saturday: 20% rain chance, high of 80.

-Saturday night: 30% rain chance; 49 degrees.

-Sunday: Partly sunny, high of 78

-Extended forecast> Click  / Regional radar

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable> Arey

- What a week for college coaches. Would Bruce Pearl really go to Boston College?

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