Hometown Mobile: Thursday's updates

Initial unemployment insurance claims soar again in July

	July 2009	June 2009	July 2008	July vs. June %	7/09 vs 7/08 %
Bartow	1,616	1,251	745	+29.2%	+116.9%
Chattooga	155	159	105	-2.5%	+47.6%
Floyd	1,584	1,453	931	+9.0%	+70.1%
Gordon	1,061	1,089	806	-2.6%	+31.6%
Polk	640	540	391	+18.%	+63.7%
Georgia	93,988	88,756	59,165	+5.9%	+58.9%

Source: Georgia Department of Labor

-Overview: The job spiral continues: July looks like another rough month for Georgia's labor force. The first-time unemployment claims report for the month is out and shows a 58.9 percent year-over-year increase for the state--and a nearly 70 percent jump for the five-county Northwest Georgia market.

-More than 5,000 people filed first-time claims from five-county region last month vs. 2,978 a year earlier and about 4,500 in June.

-The silver lining: The July-vs.-June increase was 12.5 percent in the region with slight decreases reported in Chattooga and Gordon counties.

-Compared to July 2008, Floyd saw a 70.1 percent increase (1,584 vs. 931).

-Bartow was again in triple digits, with claims rising 116.9 percent, or from 745 in July 2008 to 1,616 last month.

-Gordon County saw 1,061 new filers last month vs. 806 a year earlier.

-Polk County's claims, 640, were up 63.7 percent from June 2008.

Georgia Department of Labor Commissioner Michael L. Thurmond -The state perspective: Most of the initial claims were filed by laid-off workers in manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, construction, and administrative and support services. "The July jobless claims report presents a classic good news/bad news scenario," said State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond. "Fewer Georgians are being laid off, but a rising number of laid-off workers are remaining unemployed for longer periods of time."

-Help on the job front: The Northwest Georgia/Shorter College Job and Career Fair is set for Sept. 24, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at The Forum. Joining Shorter are the Georgia Department of Labor, The Forum and nearly three dozen local and regional employers. The job fair is free to participants and businesses. For more, please click: http://nwgashortercollegejobfair.eventbrite.com/.

Healthcare

-Gingrey healthcare meeting set for 3 this afternoon in Rome: The session goes from 3 to 4:30 p.m., at the Rome Civic Center. Next up:

-Aug. 19: Cedartown: 2 to 3:30 p.m., in the commissioners' room of the Georgia State Patrol in Cedartown. (Corrected)

-Aug. 20: Kennesaw, 6:30-8 p.m., Ben Robertson Community Center.

-Aug. 25: Summerville, 12:30-2 p.m., Chattooga County Library.

-Aug. 25: Cartersville, 3-4:30 p.m., Bartow Senior Center, 102 Zena Drive.

-About the meetings: As some healthcare meetings have gotten almost hostile, extra precautions are being taken. Some security is planned.

Health:

- Sept. 12/Third Annual Pink ride set: Donations are sought for the Third Annual Pink Ride, a trail ride to help funds to help cure the cancers that target women. The first ride raised more than $8,000; last year, the total was $13,000 and this year's goal is $20,000. Riders will cross through Berry College's wildlife preserve, departing from the Western Rome Saddle Club. Click www.westernsaddleclub.org