The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) announced today that 120,139 laid-off workers filed first-time claims for state unemployment insurance benefits in January, an increase of 80.7 percent from January of 2008.

The metropolitan areas with the highest percentage of increase in claims are Dalton, up 164.7 percent; Brunswick, up 163.7 percent; and Rome, up 153.4 percent. The areas with the smallest increase in claims are Columbus, up 21 percent; Valdosta, up 35.4 percent; and Savannah, up 39.1 percent.

"We are witnessing the emergence of a ‘Darwinian’ job market," said State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond. "The growing number of layoffs has created a surplus of jobseekers who are talented, experienced, educated, and well-trained. In this challenging environment, the most successful jobseekers will be those who demonstrate the highest levels of persistence, determination, and above all, flexibility when looking for work."

Most of the state initial claims were filed by laid-off workers in manufacturing, trade, administrative services, including temporary employment agencies, and construction. And, the number of jobless workers receiving unemployment insurance benefits rose 92 percent over the year, from 95,870 in January of 2008 to 183,829 in January of 2009.

Also, in January, the GDOL processed 14,205 first-time claims for federal extended unemployment benefits, bringing the total to 125,589 since the federal program began in Georgia in July 2008. Federal extended benefits are available to jobless workers who have exhausted regular state unemployment compensation.

Thurmond urged jobseekers to continue to look for work, explore training and education opportunities and to make full use of the department’s reemployment services available at the 53 Georgia Department of Labor Career Centers around the state. The locations of the career centers may be accessed via the internet at www.dol.state.ga.us.

Georgia labor market data are also available at www.dol.state.ga.us.

PRESS RELEASE, GA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

	Georgia UI Initial Claims
	Metro Area		# Increase		% Increase		January 2008		January 2009
	Dalton		5,762		164.7%		3,498		9,260
	Brunswick		709		163.7%		433		1,142
	Rome		1,841		153.4%		1,200		3,041
	Athens		899		84.3%		1,067		1,966
	Atlanta		19,973		80.0%		24,965		44,938
	Augusta		1,444		79.1%		1,825		3,269
	Albany		686		76.1%		902		1,588
	Warner Robins		395		62.1%		636		1,031
	Hinesville		135		61.1%		221		356
	Gainesville		866		58.3%		1,485		2,351
	Macon		786		41.1%		1,913		2,699
	Savannah		642		39.1%		1,640		2,282
	Valdosta		386		35.4%		1,089		1,475
	Columbus		421		21.0%		2,004		2,425