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August employment report: Slightly better month, worse year
| People working in August | August jobless | August jobless rate | Jobless rate in July | August 07 jobless rate | |
| Bartow | 44,196 | 3,405 | 7.2% | 6.8% | 4.7% |
| Chattooga | 10,143 | 893 | 8.1% | 9.0% | 5.5% |
| Floyd | 47,215 | 3,401 | 6.7% | 7.0% | 4.8% |
| Gordon | 25,121 | 1,995 | 7.4% | 7.3% | 4.5% |
| Polk | 20,666 | 1,395 | 6.3% | 6.4% | 4.4% |
| Georgia | 4,605,703 | 315,107 | 6.4% | 6.3% | 4.5% |
Source: Georgia Department of Labor
The August employment report from Georgia labor officials paints another seesaw picture for Northwest Georgia and the state. On the downside: The unemployment rate dipped vs. July in Chattooga, Floyd an Polk counties. On the other end: Compared to August 2007, the unemployment rate was up nearly two points--or more--in every local county and the state. By the numbers:
>Bartow had the most people out of work, 3,405, vs. 3,401 in Floyd.
>Chattooga's jobless rate dropped the most, 9 to 8.1 percent. Chattooga has been among the hardest counties hit by layoffs this year.
>More than 300 fewer people were working in Floyd in August vs. July.
>For the second consecutive month, Gordon had near 2,000 people without jobs vs. 1,210 in August 2007.
>500-plus more people were working in Polk last month vs. August 2007.
>Georgia's unemployment rate for August rose to 6.3 percent, its highest level in 15 years. Since August 2007, the number of payroll jobs dropped by 37,700.
Tourism impact numbers climb by nearly 3% to $112.23 million
The economic impact of visitors to Rome/Floyd County increased to $112.23 million in 2007, up $3.05 million from 2006, according to the Travel Industry Association of America report.
"The increase in spending from visitors to our area is in direct correlation to the variety of tourism products we are so fortunate to have," said Lisa Smith, executive director of the Greater Rome Convention and Visitors Bureau. "The support of our tourism partners in the arts, education, government, recreation, medical and hospitality industries and facilities strive to make Rome and Floyd County a desirable destination to visit." Says the report:
>Direct expenditures, including lodging, food, transportation, recreation, entertainment and incidentals, were up 2.85 percent.
>1,260 Rome/Floyd County residents worked in travel-related jobs in 2007 and payroll for those employees rose 3 percent, to $22.79 million.
?Tax revenue rose 3.6 percent, to $3.36 million, and tax revenue generated for the state rose 1.5 percent, to $4.09 million.
In a planning session held Wednesday, goals and initiatives were set by the CVB board. They include support and assistance with product and infrastructure development; an increased sales effort with direct and co-op participation in trade shows; and enhanced Web marketing and services.
One tourism indicator to watch in coming weeks: the overall impact of the NAIA football championship coming to Barron Stadium on Dec. 20. The teams, colleges and fans are expected to keep the travel industry busy for three to four days if not more. Plus the championship returns in December 2009.
Thursday's Buzz:
>Dempsey-Puckett forum to be rebroadcast tonight at 7: The forum between state Rep. Katie Dempsey, R-Rome, and Democratic challenger Bob Puckett will be broadcast again tonight at 7 p.m. on WGPB 97.7 FM.
>Forum audio now available: An on-demand copy also is posted on the station's Web site: www.gpb.org/wgpb.
>Smith taking a big leap for Sexual Assault Center> Buzz
>Harbin honored for specialized diabetes treatment> Health
>Hawthorne joins Heyman HospiceCare at Floyd> Health
>Floyd calls media conference for 10 a.m. Monday: Details not being released in advance. We'll have updates Monday morning.
>Shannon Park, Scout Hut closing for improvements: The Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority is closing Shannon Park and the Shannon Scout Hut facility for SPLOST renovations and construction starting Monday, Oct. 6,. Areas where access is closed will be fenced off until the facility reopens. The public will still have access to ball fields. Construction will include an addition to the Scout Hut, renovations to the existing facility, park improvements and paving the parking lot.
>'Ride' portion of Rome 'n Ride for the Children set for Oct. 4> Click RnR
>Highlands' students receive Coca-Cola Scholars scholarships> Campus
>RLT's 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' opens Oct. 17 at the DeSoto> Arts
Weather Center
>Another beautiful fall day with a high of 81, low near 52. Our low this morning: 48 degrees at 6 a.m.
>Extended forecast, EarthWatch and more> Weather Center
Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable, brought to you by Riverside Toyota:
> Recruiting, like everything else in college football, is totally out of control
>Coming Friday: This week's edition of Norman's No-Nos.
>Click Norman Arey
The Football Report, brought to you by PrintWorks
>John McClellan's high school picks: First-time threat for Rome? Undefeated Pepperell vs. unbeaten Gordon Central; Model to test emotional Adairsville.
>Shorter College: The Hawks open their home season at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. This also is homecoming weekend.
>Your complete guide> Football Report
Downtown Headlines
>What's ahead this weekend? Check Bryan Mullins' mullinsmania report.
>Closer look at ACC meeting details for new jazz bar, Rome City Market
>Museum, in addition to free admission days, adds tea; seek volunteers
>For more, click Downtown Headlines
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