NEWS - Work Force Development

12/21/2009 - The jobless rates of Georgia and South Carolina rose in November from the previous month.
Georgia’s rate climbed more than 3 percentage points over October’s level and South Carolina’s rose a troublesome 12.3 percent.

The Savannah region showed a loss of 5,000 jobs compared to employment levels of November 2008, according to the Georgia Department of Labor, which said the numbers of employed residents went from 158,900 to 153,900.

Georgia’s statewide unemployment rate ended November at 10.2 percent, just slightly above the national average of 10 percent. Georgia had a jobless rate of 7.1 percent in November 2008.

The number of payroll jobs in November decreased 192,400, or 4.7 percent, from November of 2008. The metropolitan areas with the highest percentage of job losses during the same period are Dalton, down 7.4 percent; Macon, down 5.8 percent; Atlanta, Gainesville, and Valdosta, all down 4.9 percent. The metropolitan areas with the smallest perc entage of job losses are Columbus and Rome, down 2.2 percent. Only Hinesville showed an increase in jobs, up 400, or 2.1 percent.
To address rising unemployment,  the Georgia Department of Labor will host a Jobs Summit on Jan. 18 at the Georgia Tech Hotel and Convention Center.

In South Carolina, U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson said he is losing patience with the reluctance of Congress to focus on jobs. He said he wants tax cuts for businesses and families but made no mention of further federal stimulus spending to spur job growth.