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Jobless rate jumps to 7.2% in Floyd; state's 6.5% a 15-year high

Floyd County's jobless rate was at its highest level in at least 13 months in July. Some 7.2 percent of the labor force here was idle last month, up from 6.3 percent in June and 5.0 percent a year earlier. In all, 3,686 people were without jobs last month while another 47,284 were employed. The Floyd labor force was up more than 600 positions vs. June's report while just 100 more people were working, according to the state Department of Labor. (Floyd, month by month, above)

>In the region (chart below): Bartow, Gordon, Polk counties also reported jumps in individual unemployment rates while Chattooga saw a drop (9.5 to 9.1 percent).

>Statewide, the jobless rate rose from 6.0 percent in June to 6.5 percent in July, the highest in 15 years. Said State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond: "The surge of jobless workers into our career centers is challenging our ability to keep pace with the demand for assistance at a time when it is most needed. We ask our customers for their patience and cooperation as we work together to meet and overcome these economic challenges." The job losses came across-the-board in manufacturing, construction, trade and services.

	Working	Jobless	July	June	July 07
Bartow	44,748	3,369	7.0%	6.5%	5.1%
Chattooga	10,121	1,013	9.1%	9.5%	6.0%
Floyd	47,284	3,686	7.2%	6.3%	5.0%
Gordon	25,284	2,040	7.5%	6.7%	4.5%
Polk	20,745	1,466	6.6%	5.9%	4.7%
State	4,650,432	320,893	6.5%	6.0%	4.8%

Source: Georgia  Department of Labor

Media

>WROM's parent company also moving to 710 Turner McCall: Indeed, WROM am-710 is going home after several decades. And it will be joined by its new parent company, Joy Christian Radio, as the network of four stations will be based just across from Sante Fe Cattle Co.> Business

>Correction: South 107 is Atlanta market's third highest-rated FM: Kicks 101.5 FM leads the genre followed by Bull 94/9 FM

Campus Headlines

>Berry team creates 'Florence Now' multimedia report to highlight trip> BC

-Vikings to host women's SSAC basketball tournament in March> Vikings

>'Go-to guy for young people, their money' coming to GHC Sept. 2, 4> GHC

>Shorter musical theatre alums to stage  'Part of it All' Aug. 28> Arts

WeatherCenter

>Sunny with another high in the low 90s> WeatherCenter

>Keep track of Tropical Storm Fay: The stubborn tropical storm is soaking Florida's east coast> Fay

College Football Previews from Norman Arey

Norman Arey, Northwest Georgia's most experienced sports journalist, presents his annual series of college football previews now through Aug. 28. Starting Friday, Aug. 29, "Norman's No-Nos," Arey's weekly pick of football losers, returns.

>Today/ACC Atlantic, Part II: Tigers are good to go--but just how good are the Tigers, Tommy Bowden?

>Coming Friday: SEC West/Part I

>Click Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable

>Rome Braves-Sandgnats washed out by Tropical Storm Fay> Sports

-Recent game photos from Mills Fitzner> Focus

WeatherCenter

>Another day in the low 90s with sunny skies> WeatherCenter

>Keep track of Tropical Storm Fay: You'll find links to the National Hurricane Center as well as state and federal emergency agencies> Fay

Traffic

>The south leg of Old Rockmart Road, from Ga. 101 to the Polk County line, will be reduced to one lane from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and again next week from Tuesday, Aug. 26,  through Thursday, Aug. 28. There could be traffic delays in the work zones. Use Ga. 101 to avoid the construction area.

 

Blood drives

>Red Cross sets regional blood drives over next few weeks> Health

Downtown Headlines:

>What's the buzz on downtown entertainment this week with Bryan Mullins of MullinsMania.com> Downtown Headlines