Double dose of troubling economic news:
1) Jobless surge slows; unemployment still in 11.3-13.9% range
| July 2009 Employed | July 2009 Unemployed | July 2009 % jobless | June 2009 % jobless | July 2008 % jobless | |
| Bartow | 40,388 | 5,829 | 12.6% | 12.5% | 7.2% |
| Chattooga | 9,384 | 1,324 | 12.4% | 13.1% | 8.9% |
| Floyd | 43,932 | 5,613 | 11.3% | 11.3% | 7.2% |
| Gordon | 22,246 | 3,579 | 13.9% | 13.5% | 7.5% |
| Polk | 18.982 | 2,407 | 11.3% | 11.2% | 6.7% |
| State | 4,298,003 | 510,102 | 10.6% | 10.4% | 6.6% |
Source: Georgia Department of Labor
-The positive in the July jobless report is that the rise in unemployment slowed in three counties. Floyd stabilized at 11.3 percent; and Chattooga saw a meaningful decline.
-But don't tell that to Gordon County where the jobless rate climbed to 13.9 percent compared to the statewide average of 10.6 percent. In July 2008, Gordon's unemployment rate stood at 7.5 percent.
-In Bartow County, more than 5,800 people were jobless last month, 12.6 percent of the labor force. Bartow, like Polk, saw a slight increase in the jobless rate vs. June.
-State overview: The year-over-year losses came in manufacturing, trade, transportation and warehousing, professional and business services, including temporary employment agencies, and construction. Healthcare, private educational services, and local and state governmental education showed a combined increase of 19,600 jobs.
-What's next: Perhaps a state jobless rate of 11 percent in coming months, according to a state expert (below).
-Where to find help, hope: Shorter career fair set for Sept. 24> Details
2) GSU economist: Free fall over; 'tepid' recovery in 2011
Rajeev Dhawan, director of Georgia State's economic forecasting center, told an audience at Berry College last spring he wouldn't "sugar coat" his predictions. He didn't then or on Wednesday when he told an Atlanta audience to expect a "tepid" recovery in 2011. Some key points:
-The state's jobless rate will rise to 11 percent before recovering.
-Georgia's job losses will top 205,000 this calendar year with 44,000 more in 2010.
-We'll gain 60,000 jobs in 2011. But that means less than 25 percent of the jobs lost to the recession will come back in 2011.
-Of those 205,000 jobs lost this year, at least 130,000 of them will be Atlanta-based followed by another 22,000-plus in 2010.
-Citing 16 bank failures so far in Georgia, Dhawan says more are pending. Georgia accounts for 25 percent of the failed banks in U.S.
-The lack of housing starts, curtailed government spending on the state and local levels, and the economy overall will continue to hit Georgia, he says. Bright spots?:
-Something of a thaw beginning in the credit markets.
-A drop in unemployment insurance claims is being seen
-And there's an increase in consumer confidence.
-For expanded details, please click Economic Forecast
Health:
-Flu shots available Sept. 15-16; swine flu vaccinations on the way> Health
-CDC site features additional swine flu updates; map of outbreaks> Click
-Links to upcoming health events in our area> Healthy Living
Campus Headlines
-A look inside Welcome Week at Shorter College> Campus
-Shorter's annual convocation set for Friday> Details
-Berry welcomes students back for new, different year> Berry
-Shorter College's music department Faculty Arts Gala is Monday> Click
-Berry's Dr. Azar-Dickens goes for Ironman Triathlon Sunday> Campus
Dining & Drink
-Public health restaurant inspection scores for this week> Dining
-Ahead at North Georgia wineries: big event at Chateau Elan> Wine
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Today's Hometown updates:
-Natalie Simms is the editor on duty. She can be reached via all the normal Hometown e-mails or click here.
-What's ahead in downtown Rome.
-Bryan Mullins of MullinsMania.com on downtown entertainment.lus downtown en
Latest weather:
-Thursday: High of 87, low of 68. Rain chance: 60%
-Friday: High of 85, low of 67. Rain chance: 50%, then 20%.
-Your extended forecast> Weather / Local radar > Radar
-RiverDogs edge Braves again, 4-3.
-Braves in Charleston tonight, then Savannah through Sunday.
-Last home stand of the year: Aug. 31-Sept. 4.
-Mills Fitzner's latest game pictures> Gallery
-Rome Braves release 2010 season schedule> Sports
-'Softball Slam' coming to State Mutual Stadium Oct. 23-25> Sports
Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable
-Countdown to kickoff: Looking at the SEC East, there are no easy wins for anybody but neither are they anybody's patsy
-John McClellan's first full week of picks includes these previews:
-Look for wins for Pepperell, Calhoun, Cartersville, Armuchee, Chattooga, Cedartown, Coosa.
-Rome to lose nail-biter to East Paulding; Darlington, Model to start 0-1.
Today's Georgia High School Football Daily: Rome, Calhoun games rated among state's top 10 this week> Football Daily
Shorter Hawks football: 2009 schedule> Click Hawks
-Ready for the Hawks Nest? Check out new game-day idea> Click
-Hawks ready for season opener vs. Lenoir-Rhyne University> Details
-Hawks' game notes for Saturday's showdown> Click
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