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Georgia's jobless rate hits 7%, highest in 16 years
Source: Georgia Department of Labor
Georgia's unemployment rate hit 7 percent in October, the highest it has been since April 1992. That's a jump of 2.5 percentage points from October 2007. 
"Georgia's economy is being slammed by a deteriorating job market," said Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond. "In each of the last three months, the state has experienced increasing job losses and 70-plus percent over-the-year increases in the number of workers filing initial unemployment insurance claims." Some 343,093 Georgians are looking for work--and that's before the layoffs announced this week. Compared to last year, the number of payroll jobs decreased 61,300 or 1.5 percent--the largest October-to-October decline ever recorded. The manufacturing, construction, retail trade and private employment agencies were especially hard hit, according to the state labor report.
+Local focus: The October jobless rate for area counties should be out within a week. In September, Floyd's unemployment rate was 6.8 percent; Bartow was 7.2 percent; Gordon, 7.7 percent; and Polk, 6.5 percent.
Furloughs proposed to save jobs at Coosa Valley Technical College:
A series of monthly one-day furloughs for employees of Coosa Valley Technical College is being proposed by president Dr. Craig McDaniel to help the college meet mandated spending cuts. The proposal would become an action plan if a 10 percent cut is required, says McDaniel. The alternative: 12 layoffs, something staffers and faculty have asked him to avoid.
>The health department had a furlough day Monday> Health
Georgia State analyst--'proper recovery' won't happen until 2011: Dr. Rajeev Dhawan ofGeorgia State, in his "Forecast of the Nation" analysis, concludes: "Growth will technically turn positive in the third quarter of 2009 ... but, the growth rate will remain far below its potential of 3 percent, and it will be 2011 before the economy experiences a 'proper recovery.'"> Full report
Second 'Partners in Prosperity' program on the way: The minutes from Monday's Rome City Commission meeting contain details about the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce's second Partners in Prosperity program proposal. City Manager John Bennett said the program would cover five years, beginning in 2010. The chamber is seeking $40,000 a year from the city ($200, 000 overall). Bennett recommended the proposal be accepted with "the understanding that the $40,000 will have to be appropriated annually by the Rome City Commission." The money would be split from the general fund and the Water and Sewer Fund. Commissioners unanimously agreed. (Click Minutes)
-The first partners campaign launched four years had a goal of raising $1.8 million; instead, more than $2.1 million was pledged. For more, click> Chamber
-Chamber's Dec. 4 Business after Hours at Mount Berry Square: The event runs from 5:30 until 7 .p.m. in the banquet room (entrance near Belk). To register, write Lfields@romega.com. Also: December's SpeedNetworking will be held at 3 p.m. Dec. 4 at the chamber. Write: LPratt@romega.com.
New Century Bank office in Calhoun opens Dec. 17: Look for Century Bank of Georgia's new Calhoun office on Ga. 53 to open Dec. 17. It will be a full-service location with drive-ins and an ATM machine. It replaces the office behind it.
-Market slides below 8,000: Track today's actions> Google Finance
Great American Smoke Out: Health centers, schools go tobacco free> Health
On the Dining & Drink Guide: Two wine tastings, one beer tasting this weekend in North Georgia> D&D
Early voting today through Friday at administration building:
You can vote in the Dec. 2 runoff now through Friday, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., at the county administration building, 12 E. Fourth St., second floor. Advance voting starts Monday and continues through Nov. 26 at the administration building and at Rome Civic Center, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Precincts will be open Dec. 2 from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. For more, click Runoff
>Copy of Bartow's sample ballot (same races as Floyd)> Ballot
>Rally for Senate runoff is Saturday; more meeting updates> Politics
Santa, Mrs. Claus due at Saturday's Noon Optimist Pancake Breakfast: That's in addition to the all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, the sheriff's Kid ID initiative and Martha's Finest. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities remain. For more, click Optimist.
Updated WeatherCenter / brought to you by Roman Court
-Sunny with a high of 60 and a low near 30.
-Weekend: Sunny, clear and cool. Highs in the 50s, lows in the 30s.
-Click WeatherCenter
Downtown Headlines
-Bryan Mullins of MullinsMania.com checks in on this week's top downtown performances. Plus: Chamber tech/entrepreneur seminar today; freebie at the museum Saturday > Downtown Headlines
Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable / brought to you by Riverside Toyota
-Top two Heisman candidates go head-to-head this weekend; Spurrier staying put. Click Arey
The Football Report/ Brought to you by Printworks
>John McClellan looks at round two of the high school playoffs and what he sees happening this Friday night:
-Rome at Sandy Creek
-Cartersville at Gainesville
-Calhoun hosts Westminster
-Pepperell at Callaway
-For more, please see The Football Report
Shorter vs. U of the Cumberlands in playoffs Saturday
-Shorter v. Cumberlands game day notes now posted> Notes
-NAIA's top two rushing offenses clash in Saturday's game> Hawks
-For radio and Web cast coverage: The Football Report
-For more on Shorter, click Hawks
-Check the NAIA pairings> NAIA
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