Atlanta
(2008-09-17)
ATLANTA, GA
(WABE) -
Georgia's unemployment rate has grown to its highest level in 15 years.The state's jobless rate for August was 6-point-three percent.
Georgia's unemployment rate last month was only three-tenths of a percent higher than July but it was almost 2 percent higher than August of last year.
The difference, according to State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond, is the slumping credit and housing markets and high gas prices.
THURMOND: All the national and international economic issues that are making the economic environment difficult are coming home to roost here in Georgia. Lack of job creation, more people coming into the work force, increased layoffs and consequently more people looking for jobs than they are jobs to be filled.
Right now, there are more than 300 thousand Georgians unemployed looking for work. And Thurmond expects things will get worse before they get better. Atlanta lost more than 20 thousand jobs last month. Only 3 of Georgia's 11 metro areas added jobs in August. © Copyright 2009, WABE
