Employment & the economy
(Updated) First-time unemployment claims soar again in March
| March 09 | February 09 | March 08 | March v. February | March 09 v. March 08 | |
| Bartow | 1,402 | 1,075 | 496 | 30.4% | 182.7% |
| Chattooga | 138 | 129 | 64 | 7.0% | 115.6% |
| Floyd | 2,659 | 1,354 | 835 | 96.4% | 218.4% |
| Gordon | 1,456 | 1,354 | 644 | 7.5% | 126.1% |
| Polk | 1,650 | 1,188 | 584 | 38.9% | 182.5% |
| Georgia | 96,306 | 86,519 | 42,530 | 11.3% | 126.3% |
Source: Georgia Department of Labor
Ugly. That's the only way to describe the first-time unemployment insurance claims received throughout the region and the state last month. The worst locally was in Floyd County where 2,659 claims were filed, almost double February' s 1,354 and more than triple the 835 claims filed in March 2008, state Labor Department records show. Both Goody's and Circuit City closed in Rome last month.
Bartow, Gordon and Polk all saw claims in the 1,400- to 1,650-range. Bartow and Polk saw almost 1,000 or more additional claims than in March 2008. Floyd, Bartow, Gordon and Polk posted year-over-year increases that matched or topped the statewide average of 126.3 percent. Chattooga's March-to-March change was 115.6 percent.
What's sad is that three more layoffs have been announced since the end of March:
-390 jobs at the Shaw plant in Calhoun.
-80 jobs at HON Company in Cedartown.
-As many as 80 jobs at Super Kmart in Rome.
From the state: The metropolitan areas with the highest percentage of increase in claims are Gainesville, up 249.4 percent; Rome, up 218.4 percent; and Brunswick, up 185.0 percent. Most of the state initial claims were filed by laid-off workers in manufacturing, trade, construction and administrative and support services.
>Job search: Try CareerBuilders (click) or the chamber site (click)
Kmart changes spark new round of 'what ifs': As Super Kmart prepares to become a "Big K," idling up to 80 workers and opening all those aisles of food for unspecified purposes, local retailers are predicting a Sears-to-Kmart switch/blend is on the way. That, in turn, would open the Sears anchor slot at Mount Berry Square. There is no confirmations from any of the parties about such a move.
But helping fuel the speculation: the soon-to-be available square feet in the Rome Kmart store. According to the Sears Holding Co. Web site, a supercenter has 140,000 to 190,000 square feet vs. 100,000 to 120,000 for a Big K. It also carries 100,000 types of items vs. 100,000 to 150,000 for a supercenter. The Big K format "focuses on three distinct businesses - home fashions, children's apparel and consumables - and features an expanded food area known as the 'Pantry.' " So the question is what fills that extra shelf space.
The other issue is what would a Sears exit do to the mall? For one, it would create a second anchor vacancy. The first was the former Proffitt's location that also housed a second Belk site after those two retailers merged. It all winds back into the state of commercial real estate as the mall is in the hands of a receiver--Jones Lang LaSalle--while the Etowah strip center adjoining Big K was sold under force in February.
Rome Braves open 2009 season in Charleston tonight:
-The Rome Braves open the 2009 season in Charleston vs. the Riverdogs. JB 
Smith will debut as the new voice of the Braves, joined by Randy Davis for the first few games. Pregame is set for 6:45 p.m. on WLAQ and 95.7 The Ridge.
-The Rome Braves roster> Hometown Baselines.
-Meet the 2009 Riverdogs> Charleston
-Radio, Web cast: You can hear the game live on WLAQ 1410 AM, The Ridge 95.7 FM and on the Web cast links found on both stations' Web sites.
-Meet JB Smith, the new voice of the Rome Braves> JB
-Game highlights tonight: Check back with Hometown Baselines around 10 this evening for links to the box score and game details.
Community Banking Month idea is one to grow on: Greater Rome Bank is observing Community Banking Month with an idea that can "produce" a bit of interest. The bank is giving away seeds to customers as part of the month-long celebration. On the package, customers find these buzz words: "growing a better community for us all." Next up: The bank is giving away reusable shopping bags on Wednesday, April 22--Earth Day--with the kicker: "We've always been green."
Meet Shane's founder Shane Thompson Tuesday: The restaurant at RiverWalk celebrates its first birthday on Tuesday with company founder Shane Thompson making a visit between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
State revenue collections down 14.5% last month vs. March 2008: Net revenue collections for March 2009 were $987,986,000 compared to $1,155,087,000 for March 2008, a decrease of $167,101,000 or 14.5 percent. The percentage decrease year-to-date for FY09 compared to FY08 is 8.0 percent, according to Gov. Sonny Perdue's office. Click Report.
Thursday's Buzz:
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Kayla Rampley, a junior at Pepperell High School, has been elected the Georgia Future Business Leaders of America State Reporter for the 2009-10 school year. The election was held at the Georgia Leadership Conference in Atlanta; more than 3,000 attended. Rampley is a member of the PHS chapter and she helped PHS achieve Gold Chapter status> Floyd
Fair association donates $1,900 for school arts supplies
Dan Caesar, president of the Coosa Valley Fair Association, presents a check to Scott Moody for $1,900. It is a grant for the art departments of all county schools to help purchase supplies. The fair association and Exchange Club support school arts each year. Last year's fair featured one of the largest displays of art from Floyd and Rome City schools. (Media release)
-Area churches continue Holy Week services> Click
-St. Mary's Knights prepare for Night at the Rome Braves> Knights
-Today's calendar> Click
-Updated/Stargazer's newsletter now posted> Click Stargazers
-Updated/Latest library newsletter now posted> Link
Follow The Masters via the official site> The Masters
WeatherCenter/brought to you by Roman Court
-Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Winds to 15 mph.
-Thursday night: 40% chance of showers, thunderstorms. Low of 56.
-Friday: 80% chance of showers, thunderstorms. High of 73.
-Friday night: 40% chance of rain, low of 52. Gusts to 25 mph.
-Saturday: Sunny and 70; low of 45.
-Sunday: Partly sunny, 69; low of 51; 50% chance of rain
-For more, click WeatherCenter
Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable / brought to you by Riverside Toyota
-Quincy Carter takes a pay cut; will anyone be left to play college basketball in '10? > Click Arey
Rome Braves preseason updates (click Sports)
-Meet the 2009 Rome Braves
-K-Man's countdown-to-the-home-opener photo of the day> Clock
-First photos of the new season from Mills Fitzner> Click
-Top of the seventh: Rome Braves ready for 2009 season
-Former Braves catcher Javy Lopez to throw first pitch Opening Night.
-Single ticket sales under way at State Mutual Stadium
Downtown Headlines
-What's ahead in downtown Rome. Plus: The downtown entertainment buzz from Bryan Mullins of Mullinsmania.com> Click Downtown
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