Triple shot of improving employment news but . . .
-Rome/Floyd County sees 1,400-job spike in May.
-First-time jobless insurance claims tumble in Floyd, Bartow, Gordon Polk.
-Georgia's overall jobless rate drops slightly to 10.2%
Surprising surge in local jobs: More people were working in Rome/Floyd County last month than in any time in the past 13 months, the latest reports from the Georgia Department of Labor show. Rome/Floyd picked up 1,400 jobs between May 2009 and last month, boosting the labor force to 40,300. That's the highest since 40,100 jobs in December. But a caveat: That number could tumble as CCH Small Firm Services starts its nearly 400-job exodus from West Rome to Kennesaw this month and Pierre Foods idles 350 employees by August.
| May 2010 | April 2010 | May 2009 | 12-month change | |
| Bartow | 620 | 823 | 1,069 | Down 42.0% |
| Chattooga | 97 | 114 | 95 | Up 2.1% |
| Floyd | 789 | 864 | 1,024 | Down 22.9% |
| Gordon | 442 | 614 | 1,010 | Down 56.2% |
| Polk | 289 | 435 | 491 | Down 41.1% |
| Georgia | 57,919 | 60,661 | 75,436 | Down 23.2 |
Source: Georgia Department of Labor
Big year-over-year drop in first-time jobless claims in most counties: The second dose of good news comes from a look at first-time unemployment insurance benefit claims filed with the labor department. Gordon County reported a 56.2 percent drop--568 claims--in May compared to the same month last year. Floyd posted nearly a 23 percent drop while Bartow saw a 42 percent drop and Polk County was down 41.1 percent. Chattooga saw a slight 2.1 percent bump. Statewide reduction: 23.2 percent.
State's jobless rate drops slightly in May, from 10.3% to 10.2%:
-Fourth month of improving numbers but . . . : Georgia's job market showed a modest improvement for the fourth consecutive month. The number of payroll jobs in May increased 24,700, from 3,818,700 in April to 3,843,400. But, the number of jobs remains less than in May 2009, when there were 3,911,400 payroll jobs, 1.7 percent, or 68,000 more than this year.
-Says Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond:"It's disturbing that the number of long-term unemployed Georgia workers is growing by the thousands," said State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond. "There are some signs of improvement in the job market, but we must have robust private sector job creation before our economy will fully recover."
-Where job loses came from: Most were filed in wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing, construction, and administrative and support services.
Politics
-June 24/Rome/Floyd TEA Party 2010 Eggs & Issues candidates forum for County Commission and School Board candidates. 7-9 a.m., The Palladium.
-New today: Natalie Simms' profiles of House District 15 candidates Paul Battles and Hayden Collins. Both Republicans, no Democratic opposition. The district primarily is in Cartersville. Profiles.
-Latest updates on candidate forums. Click forums.
In memoriam
-Rome man nicknamed 'The Runner' dies: Peter M. Jordan was perhaps the best known man that few really new in Greater Rome. Rain, snow or sunshine, Jordan could be found running the streets of Rome, usually in a black pair of shorts, his socks and shoes, and nothing else. He constantly waived at motorists on his routine runs. Jordan was found dead in his home Monday morning; a cause of death has not been determined as yet. Services are pending.
-Services today for former Calhoun officer killed in Afghanistan: Services for Calhoun Police Officer Wayne Willard are scheduled for 5 p.m. Trinity Baptist Church at 1170 Rome Road, SW, Calhoun for a 5 p.m. service. A civilian contractor, he was killed in Afghanistan on June 7 during a terrorist attack. Obituary.
Business
-Pokey's on the move at Armuchee Village: Pokey's Hometown Sports has moved more toward the center of Armuchee Village near the entrance area that gets customers to Kangaroo Jake's and other businesses in the foyer.
-Social media opens new doors for ribbon cuttings: It used to be that stuffy newspaper editors rejected "handshake" photos such as ribbon cuttings at new businesses around town. "Free advertising" was the most quoted reason. These days, thanks to Facebook, you can bypass traditional media via social media. Example: Wednesday's ceremony by the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce at the new Cartridge World store at Riverwalk (that's Ernie Studard doing the honors in this chamber photo). Click Facebook
-Tonight/Chamber's business after hours at DocuTeam, 213 Broad St., 5:30-7 p.m. Register: Click
Thursday's Buzz (subscribe here)
-Harbin Clinic Vein Center adds 'Veinwave' to treat spider veins. Health
-Downtown fountains closed for needed maintenance amid heat wave: "We hope to have it back up by the weekend if possible – we appreciate everyone's patience," said Blaine Williams, Assistant County Manager.
-Floyd police to enforce no-texting-while-driving law. Click
-Summer reading program could help with future college costs, too. Click
-July 22/Synovus, parent company of Citizens First and GB & T, will announce its second quarter results. Synovus
Your latest forecast:
-Thursday: High of 95, 20% chance of showers.
-Thursday night: Low of 67, 20% chance of showers.
-Friday: High of 94 with a 20% rain chance.
-Friday night: Low of 69; rain chance at 20 percent.
-Weekend overview: Highs of mid-90s, lows in upper 60s. Slight rain chance.
-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar
Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable. Arey
-The ACC may be balanced this year in football but that doesn't translate into strong.
Rome Braves. Sports
-Swept away: Savannah sweeps three games from Rome Braves. Wednesday's finale: 12-0 SandGnats.
-Tonight: Charleston RiverDogs vs. Rome, State Mutual Stadium.
-Mills Fitzner's home game photos. Click
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