The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) reported that the preliminary unadjusted unemployment rate in metro Savannah declined to 8.3 percent in April, down five-tenths of a percentage point from a revised 8.8 percent in March. Meanwhile, the number of unemployed workers in the metro area decreased to 14,618 down 806 from 15,424 in March. Metro Savannah’s job market also showed a modest improvement for the second consecutive month. The number of payroll jobs in metro Savannah increased 1,300, or nine-tenths of a percentage point, from 149,900 in March to 151,200. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined to 10.4 percent in April, down one-tenth of a percentage point from a revised 10.5 percent in March. This is the 31st consecutive month Georgia has exceeded the national rate, which is now 9.9 percent. The state’s April jobless rate was up 1.2 percentage points from 9.2 percent at this same time last year. The jobless rate in metro Savannah in April 2009 was 7.4 percent. Also in April, 1,977 laid-off workers in metro Savannah filed initial claims for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits, a decrease of 179, or 8.3 percent, from 2,156 filed in April 2009. Statewide, 60,661 laid-off workers filed initial claims, a decline of 23,685, or 28.1 percent, from 84,346 filed in April 2009. Most of the first time claims were filed in trade, manufacturing, construction, and administrative and support services. The state showed a modest increase in new jobs in April for the third consecutive month. The number of jobs increased 26,900, or seven-tenths of a percentage point, from 3,794,700 in March to 3,821,600. However, the number of jobs remains less than in April 2009, when there were 3,912,700 payroll jobs, 2.3 percent or 91,100 more than this year.

LS3P Associates Chosen to Conduct Northern Beaufort County Conference Center Charette (Beaufort, SC) – The Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB) Conference Center Committee has chosen LS3P Associates, Ltd. to conduct a public charette to help determine feasibility and potential locations of a conference center in Northern Beaufort County. LS3P Associates, Ltd. will be partnering with Ward Edwards and Hill Construction to guide and direct the charette process, develop programming and to recommend a preferred site for the location of a conference center. The VCB will be soliciting site submissions via advertising and public notices and the charette will be conducted in mid-late July, 2010. The Conference Center Committee, in conjunction with the Visitor & Convention Bureau evaluated five proposals to select a firm for developing and conducting the charette services, along with providing a list of potential conference center locations. The VCB Conference Center Committee members scored the proposals according to criteria as set forth in the RFP. The group led by LS3P was the unanimous choice among the committee, chosen for their proven ability in conducting charettes for varied project types and clients, experience with the site selection and design of conference centers and knowledge of the Beaufort, Port Royal and Sea Islands area. The purpose of the charette is to assist the Conference Center Committee in soliciting public input while managing the process to yield the best results. The outcome of the charette is expected to produce the following results: Establish guiding principles and criteria for the conference center – ex. location, physical attributes, LEED Certified Building, etc. Prepare space needs program and appropriate size requirements for the facility. Evaluate and Rank prospective locations for the conference center. The estimated timeline is as follows: Public announcement for site submissions and qualifications: week of May 29 Public Charette and venue location: mid-late July, 2010 Charette findings and report: September 2010

Downturns in durable-goods manufacturing and finance and insurance and a continued contraction in construction were the leading contributors to the downturn in U.S. economic growth in 2009, according to preliminary statistics on the breakout of real gross domestic product (GDP) by industry from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The economic downturn was widespread: 15 of 22 industry groups contributed to the decline in real GDP growth.

Manufacturing value added—a measure of an industry’s contribution to GDP—fell 5.9 percent in 2009, a sharper decline than the 3.6 percent drop in 2008. Durable-goods manufacturing turned down for the first time since 2001, decreasing 7.5 percent after growing 0.3 percent in 2008. Nondurable-goods manufacturing fell 3.8 percent, a slower decline than the 8.2 percent drop in 2008.

Construction value added fell 9.9 percent in 2009, reflecting declines in residential and nonresidential activity. Construction contracted for the fifth consecutive year.

Finance and insurance value added dropped 2.7 percent in 2009, after increasing 3.2 percent in 2008.

Prices:

Declines in value added prices for mining and agriculture and a sharp deceleration in prices for nondurable-goods manufacturing were the largest contributors to the slowdown in the GDP price index for 2009. Value added prices measure changes in an industry’s labor and capital input prices, including profit margins.

Value added prices for mining fell sharply in 2009, decreasing 27.4 percent after increasing 26.4 percent in 2008, primarily reflecting decreases in prices for petroleum.

Value added prices for agriculture industries fell 20.1 percent in 2009, after increasing 1.4 percent in 2008, primarily reflecting decreases in prices for crops and livestock.

Growth in value added prices for finance and insurance and real estate partially offset the sharp declines in prices for mining and agriculture.

Other highlights:

The private goods-producing sector contracted for the second consecutive year, falling 5.3 percent in 2009 after decreasing 2.5 percent in 2008.

The private services-producing sector turned down, decreasing 1.9 percent. Real estate and rental and leasing was the largest contributor to the decline in this sector.

Value added growth for the Federal government and health care industries helped to partially offset the widespread economic downturn in 2009.

Information-communications-technology industries’ value added turned down in 2009, decreasing 0.1 percent after averaging double-digit growth from 1998 through 2007.

The Savannah Harbor Foundation in conjunction with the Coastal Jazz Association have announced the inaugural Savannah Wine & Jazz Fest, Saturday, June 5th, 1-7 pm. Proceeds from the event benefit Kids Cafe, a program of America's Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia, and the Coastal Jazz Association.

America's Second Harvest has been a leader in initiatives to reduce childhood hunger since establishing the Kids Cafe program in 1989. More than 1,800 local children who are at-risk for hunger receive a hot, nutritious, evening meal in a safe, nurturing environment through the program which is designed to assist these children in their personal and academic achievements and thereby end the cycle of poverty.

Event-goers will enjoy the beautiful riverside surrounds of the Westin's property, with breathtaking views of the city as they travel the world with Wine and Jazz.

The Savannah Wine & Jazz Fest promises the opportunity to sample & savor an expansive selection of wines spanning several continents and numerous vintages. Each sampling station affords an educational as well as a tasting opportunity. For those with even more refined tastes, the Connoisseur's Corner features only very high end wines.

Some of Savannah's finest Jazz musicians will be featured with multiple performances throughout the day, including:

Huxsie Scott

Eric Jones Trio

Gina Reneé

Ben Tucker Trio

Coastal Jazz Association All-Stars

Lavon Stevens Trio

Food selections from Aqua Star will be available as well as grill items.

Admission is $55/person (must be 21 or older) and includes a commemorative glass and unlimited tastings. Proceeds benefit local not-for-profits. The Westin has also extended a special room rate of $199 (includes breakfast for two) for those who choose to stay over.

For tickets, please call or visit the SCAD Box Office - 912.525.5050 or www.savannahboxoffice.com.

Additional info on bands and participating wineries will be posted at www.westinsavannah.com/winejazz.

Please no coolers or pets; lawn chairs permitted.