First time unemployment benefits dropped sharply in August across Northwest Georgia, according to the Georgia Department of Labor.  In Chattooga County the drop was 35% and in Walker County claims dropped 45% over the month.  Catoosa County dropped by 39% but that was before the announcement from Shaw Industries that they would be closing the plant in Ringgold causing 430 people to be without a job.   Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond has announced that a job transition center will be opened in Ringgold this coming week to help displaced workers from the Shaw DX Spinning Plant.