Jobless rate drops slightly in four counties, state; still in double digits
| | Aug. 2009 Employed | Aug. 2009 Unemployed | Aug. 2009 % jobless | July 2009 % jobless | Aug. 2008 % jobless |
| Bartow | 39,905 | 5,989 | 13.0% | 12.5% | 7.5% |
| Chattooga | 9,455 | 1,276 | 11.9% | 12.3% | 8.2% |
| Floyd | 43,838 | 5,499 | 11.1% | 11.3% | 7.0% |
| Gordon | 22,284 | 3,396 | 13.2% | 13.8% | 7.5% |
| Polk | 18,999 | 2,338 | 11.0% | 12.2% | 6.6% |
| State | 4,269,873 | 484,264 | 10.2% | 10.5% | 6.7% |
Source: Georgia Department of Labor
At least 2,000 and perhaps twice that many people are due at Shorter College's
career and job fair hosted with the the Georgia Department of Labor today from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at The Forum. Based on the August jobless reports, the chance to meet with 65-plus potential employers is critical.
While the August jobless rate dropped slightly in Floyd, Gordon, Polk and Chattooga counties as well as the state, the numbers are still in the double digits--at least 11 percent in Polk to 13 percent in Bartow County, the only community to see an increase between July and August in Northwest Georgia.
Plus, the labor department included a grim caveat in the monthly job report when it came to a dip in unemployment. "The reduction in the rate is primarily due to work force shrinkage." Here's why:
-The number of payroll jobs in metro Rome was 39,500 in August, a loss of 1,800, or 4.4 percent, from 41,300 in August 2008.
-Statewide, the number of payroll jobs in August decreased 238,200, or 5.8 percent, from August 2008.
-The over-the-year losses came in trade, transportation and warehousing, manufacturing, professional and business services, including temporary employment agencies, and construction.
-Healthcare and private educational services showed a combined increase of 13,400 jobs.
-Today's job fair notes:
-The event is free and open to all. At least 65 employers are expected.
-Downtown parking could be tight, especially between 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Developing story: Hometown Headlines is pursuing reports of two big changes in the Rome/Floyd County market, both related. We'll have details later today.
Another new Web 'media' coming to Northwest Georgia? Several local Twitter accounts gained a new follower Wednesday, "It's Local." The account (www.twitter.com/itslocal), appears to be a prelude for an online information service in LaFayette, Summerville and eventually Rome. The backers are K&E Equity Management Inc. The corporate officers: Katie and Ellery Durgin of Summerville.
Operation Shop Pink coming to Prime Outlets in Calhoun: Breast Cancer Awareness Month begins a week from today and you'll be reading about programs to raise funds for cancer research. A new one is Operation Shop Pink at the Prime Outlets in Calhoun. You can purchase a Shop Pink card at the outlet office for $2 and then use it at outlet merchants for additional savings in October. Proceeds from the card sale go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Click Shop Pink
Dining for a cause/Parkinson Disease 'Spirit' Night at Chick-Fil-A Dwarf House tonight: 10 percent of the proceeds between 5 and 9 p.m. go toward the Northwest Georgia Parkinson Disease Association. Due: The Chick-fil-A Cow.
-Later today: Regional updates on public health restaurant scores.
-Later today: What's ahead at the North Georgia wineries.
Thursday's Buzz:
-Synovus, parent company of Citizens First Bank and GB & T, has completed a $600 million underwritten public offering of 150 million shares of common stock at $4 per share. The net proceeds are expected to be $570.5 million> Synovus
-Darlington to name new middle school Thursday: Look for updates around 9 p.m. Also: Alumni Weekend 2009> Details
-Nine presentations at Georgia Independent Schools Association's conference will be led by Darlington faculty, staff members. The conference will be hosted Nov. 1-2 at Darlington> Link
-Pepperell's Morgan selected for Senate Youth Program: Aaron Morgan, a senior at Pepperell High School, has been selected to represent Floyd County Schools in the United States Senate Youth Program. > Details
-Berry on-campus farmer's market Sept. 26 open to all> CH
-Halloween safety tips from Floyd EMS> Hometown Kids
-RACA to showcase antique musical instruments Oct. 1-23: The Rome Area Council for the Arts will display antique musical instruments in honor of the Rome Symphony Orchestra. There will be a rare E-Flat bass trumpet (collection of Richard Prior, Conductor of RSO) and a violin form Barbara Beninato's grandmother. The reception is Oct. 1, 6-8 p.m.. It is free and open to all.
-Unity Christian's first Lions Run nets $42,000: The first Lions Run fund raiser at Unity Christian School has been a huge success. As of Monday morning, the students had received more than $42,000 worth of pledges. The money will fund various athletic opportunities at UCS> Details
Double take: Customers walking into Appalachian Grill on Wednesday were greeted with a sandwich board advertising "After the Flood" drink specials. Among the choices: "Noah's Ark," a concoction of "sex on the beach" mix, vodka and orange juice. Something that potent gives new meaning to the phrase "two by two . . ."
Your latest forecast:
-Thursday: 30% chance of rain; high, 86; low, 68.
-Friday: 50%, then 40% chance of rain; high, 88; low, 69.
-Your extended forecast> Weather / Local radar> Radar
High School Football> Football Report
-John McClellan's high school picks for this Friday.
-Unbeatens face off: Chattooga at Armuchee.
-Pepperell gets easy win over Gordon Central; Calhoun cruises past Coosa.
-Rome faces tight road game; more woes for Darlington.
-Adairsville by 13 over Model; rough night for Woodland.
-Cartersville gets back in W column; Cedartown could drop fourth game.
Georgia High School Football Daily: Floods cause some games to be rescheduled including Cartersville at LaFayette, now 7:30 p.m. Saturday> Details
Norman Arey's Sports
-College Football Hall of Fame moves to where it belongs; just how bad is UGA's defense?> Arey
Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium updates> Sports:
-Upcoming events at State Mutual Stadium: Rummage sale Saturday.
-Mills Fitzner's pictures from the 2009 season> Gallery
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