Triple shot of improving employment news but . . .
-Rome/Floyd County sees 1,400-job spike in May.
-First-time jobless insurance claims tumble in Floyd, Bartow, Gordon Polk.
-Georgia's overall jobless rate drops slightly to 10.2%
Surprising surge in local jobs: More people were working in Rome/Floyd County last month than in any time in the past 13 months, the latest reports from the Georgia Department of Labor show. Rome/Floyd picked up 1,400 jobs between May 2009 and last month, boosting the labor force to 40,300. That's the highest since 40,100 jobs in December. But a caveat: That number could tumble as CCH Small Firm Services starts its nearly 400-job exodus from West Rome to Kennesaw this month and Pierre Foods idles 350 employees by August.
| May 2010 | April 2010 | May 2009 | 12-month change | |
| Bartow | 620 | 823 | 1,069 | Down 42.0% |
| Chattooga | 97 | 114 | 95 | Up 2.1% |
| Floyd | 789 | 864 | 1,024 | Down 22.9% |
| Gordon | 442 | 614 | 1,010 | Down 56.2% |
| Polk | 289 | 435 | 491 | Down 41.1% |
| Georgia | 57,919 | 60,661 | 75,436 | Down 23.2 |
Source: Georgia Department of Labor
Big year-over-year drop in first-time jobless claims in most counties: The second dose of good news comes from a look at first-time unemployment insurance benefit claims filed with the labor department. Gordon County reported a 56.2 percent drop--568 claims--in May compared to the same month last year. Floyd posted nearly a 23 percent drop while Bartow saw a 42 percent drop and Polk County was down 41.1 percent. Chattooga saw a slight 2.1 percent bump. Statewide reduction: 23.2 percent.
State's jobless rate drops slightly in May, from 10.3% to 10.2%:
-Fourth month of improving numbers but . . . : Georgia's job market showed a modest improvement for the fourth consecutive month. The number of payroll jobs in May increased 24,700, from 3,818,700 in April to 3,843,400. But, the number of jobs remains less than in May 2009, when there were 3,911,400 payroll jobs, 1.7 percent, or 68,000 more than this year.
-Says Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond:"It's disturbing that the number of long-term unemployed Georgia workers is growing by the thousands," said State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond. "There are some signs of improvement in the job market, but we must have robust private sector job creation before our economy will fully recover."
-Where job loses came from: Most were filed in wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing, construction, and administrative and support services.
Profiles of House District 15 candidates Paul Battles and Hayden Collins: Natalie Simms profiles the two GOP candidates who meet in the July 20 primary. They have no Democratic opposition. For more, click House 15
In memoriam
-Services today for former Calhoun officer killed in Afghanistan: Services for Calhoun Police Officer Wayne Willard are scheduled for 5 p.m. Trinity Baptist Church at 1170 Rome Road, SW, Calhoun for a 5 p.m. service. A civilian contractor, he was killed in Afghanistan on June 7 during a terrorist attack. Obituary.
Thursday's Buzz (subscribe here)
-Harbin Clinic Vein Center adds 'Veinwave' to treat spider veins. Health
-City of Cartersville to be testing local fire hydrants this week. Location schedule
What's ahead in Bartow County:
-6/17: Chattahoochee Tech graduation to feature another big class: After breaking enrollment records for three straight quarters, Chattahoochee Technical College is set to break another record with the number of students graduating during its spring commencement. An estimated 909 graduates will be recognized at the ceremony, only the second for the newly merged school, scheduled for June 17. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center at 10 a.m.
-6/17: Cartersville City Council, 7 p.m. Hear it live on WBHF 1450 AM or Web cast here on Bartow Headlines. Click Agenda
-6/18: Gospel benefit set for the American Cancer Society: The site is The Church at Liberty Square in Cartersville. Tickets are available at all Bartow County Bank locations. Proceeds go to the American Cancer Society. Performing will be The Gentrys and The Hoppers. For more: Freddie Gunn at 770-382-2572, Pam Brown at 770-655-3853 or Fredia Hall at 770-382-2418.
-June 22: WBHF AM 1450 adds Atlanta Braves baseball: You can hear the Braves throughout the season on WBHF AM 1450.
Thursday report from the Bartow County Jail. Click
Your latest forecast:
-Thursday: High of 95, 20% chance of showers.
-Thursday night: Low of 67, 20% chance of showers.
-Friday: High of 94 with a 20% rain chance.
-Friday night: Low of 69; rain chance at 20 percent.
-Weekend overview: Highs of mid-90s, lows in upper 60s. Slight rain chance.
-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar
Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable. Arey
-The ACC may be balanced this year in football but that doesn't translate into strong.
Rome Braves. Sports
-Swept away: Savannah sweeps three games from Rome Braves. Wednesday's finale: 12-0 SandGnats.
-Tonight: Charleston RiverDogs vs. Rome, State Mutual Stadium.
-Mills Fitzner's home game photos. Click
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