Metro Atlanta unemployment jumps to 10.4 percent in August
Metro Atlanta’s unemployment rate shot up to 10.4 percent in August, from 10.1 percent in July, the state labor department said Thursday.
The number of unemployed workers in the metro area increased to 275,215 — up 6,163, the labor department said.
The metro rate is well above the state’s — 10 percent — or the nation’s — 9.6 percent.
“Many employers are reluctant to hire because of the costs and risks associated with bringing on new employees,” Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond said in a statement.
A total of 34,027 laid-off workers in metro Atlanta filed initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits in August, the labor department said. That was an increase of 16.1 percent from July.
Most of the first-time claims were filed in wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing, administrative and support services, and construction, the labor department said.
There was one positive number in the report — the number of payroll jobs increased in August by 14,800. It now totals 2,268,500 in the metro area.
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111 comments Add your comment
Kevin
September 23rd, 2010
9:48 am
Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond cited “costs and risks associated with bringing on new employees” as a hindrance to job growth.
How do you reduce cost and risk to employers? Get government off their back.
What is BO’s strategy? Demonize business owners as greedy, evil people and add cost and risk to companies in the form of mandates.
And we wonder why companies aren’t hiring . . .
Steve
September 23rd, 2010
9:53 am
“Just Telling The Truth”: That IS a good part of the problem. When I moved to Atlanta in 1999, I was able to come here without a job and with a little over a thousand dollars in my pocket because I knew I would be employed within three weeks. You can’t have that mentality anymore. People these days need to get a job FIRST, THEN move here. If you have been here for more than two months, you need to go back to where you came from or at least back to where your support network might be. I really don’t care if that sounds harsh. We already subsidize enough people in Atlanta who have a projects mentality; we don’t need to be adding out-of-staters to their ranks.
Tracy
September 23rd, 2010
10:03 am
People aren’t avoiding hiring because “the government is on their back”. That’s blind thoughtless rhetoric. It’s also easy to be proven as absolute false (I know, you hate facts Kevin).
Clinton threw more government on business owner’s backs. The unemployment rate dropped despite it. W Bush removed some of the government from the owner’s backs. The unemployment increased.
Your comment, as stated, is void of fact and a cheap slogan passed around like a middle school false rumor.
A portion of our jobs are going overseas and advancing technology is slowly replacing the need for an actual human. Due to us having a consumer based economy, trends in unemployment can lead to nasty spikes down and up.
It is our fault.
September 23rd, 2010
10:04 am
We are the cause of the unemployment. We are use to buying everything that is cheep and do not look for the American made products. If we want our jobs back, we have to demand that the products be made in our country. Try going to wal.mart and filling your buggy with made in the USA products. People like Sam Walton and the likes, started out by destroying all of the small businesses that made the products that we needed. They got other countries with cheep labor to make the products and sell them at much lower price. The American producers go out and the junk gets put on the shelves.
When we start wanting tomake this country better, we have to pay the price to have our needed products made by us at our small shops and sold in the local stores.
Have you ever wondered how a product that should sell for $100.00 can be sold for $29.99 at wal-mart. how much labor cost went into that product. We have to stop the labor unions from demanding outraugous pay and make our product at a fair price and sold in our stores.
Untill we come to that fact, where are any of the jobs comming from, You cannot make a paycheck if there is not a need for your labor?
NCR
September 23rd, 2010
10:04 am
I’ve lived in Atlanta for over 30 years now, but frankly I’m getting more and more fed up with this place, and am making plans for the day I leave. It was such a beautiful place back then, just about 2 million people. You could get around so easily. Now it’s nothing but traffic and immigrants everywhere. Bleh. What a turd. On top of that, there’s no more jobs here either. What a joke.
Anyone bother to read anymore?
September 23rd, 2010
10:04 am
Kevin, if no companies were hiring, the National unemployment rate would be higher. I believe the article is talking specifically about Georgia. You should be asking is what are our elected leaders that represent Georgia planning to do. Unless of course you are going to commend Obama on his performance in keeping the unemployment rate low in Iowa.
Fuzzy Logic
September 23rd, 2010
10:05 am
“Hey I know the answer…..let’s spend more of our future with another stimilus….we won’t have to pay it off but we’ll ruin our kids and grandkids futures…”
So you think our kids and grandkids should go without adequate food, shelter, education, etc. now, while they’re young and vulnerable, so they won’t have to pay higher taxes as capable, independent adults?
Anyone bother to read anymore?
September 23rd, 2010
10:10 am
Hey Fuzzy, are you directing that question specifically to the “leaders” here in Georiga? Again, Georgias unemployment rate is a direct result of the leadership IN Georgia and not due to the circumstances OUTSIDE of Georgia. Step out of the tunnel son, it’s affecting your vision.
Larry Woods
September 23rd, 2010
10:10 am
While I understand criticism comes with the position, the current economic morass this country is in certainly is not of his creation. As an African American male I am blessed to be employed for more reason than this space will allow me room to explain. Yet,as a people generally; and as men specifically,we are truly the last to be hired and the first to be fired, so for those in the throes of the drama being unemployed can bring you have my prayers and my hope for you that things will turn around soon. As Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., asked many, many years ago: “‘What’s in your hands?’”Use your god-given gifts and become your own boss! This is still America!!
fired(most of time unjustly)
Buzz G
September 23rd, 2010
10:17 am
Didn’t the Democrats pass the stimulus in order to reduce unemployment? Another one trillion dollars in debt for our children and grand children and nothing to show for it but a tee shirt? No wonder the Tea Party has become such a force to be reckoned with. Someone has to stop this nonsense.
Anyone bother to read anymore?
September 23rd, 2010
10:21 am
Your right Buzz, and since Georgias Unemployment is currently 10.4% vs. the national rate of 9.6% maybe we should start right here in our own state. isn’t Georgia one of the places that keeps chanting “Less Government and More Personal Responsibilty” If that’s the case, why do you keep looking outside of Georgia for blame or solutions?
Fuzzy Logic
September 23rd, 2010
10:23 am
“Hey Fuzzy, are you directing that question specifically to the ‘leaders’ here in Georiga?”
What? I’m directing my question at “Mark in Woodstock” and other dittoheads who are outraged over the speculated taxation of our kids and grandkids as adults, but seemingly content with their living in poverty and going without basic necessities as children.
Ahnald
September 23rd, 2010
10:26 am
The Detroit comments are dead on…who cares if they are racist or not, and please, lets pray Roy Barnes is not elected Governor
M
September 23rd, 2010
10:27 am
How about this for a stimulus package? Since 70% of our economy is consumer driven, the stimulus package should be directed to the working people. The package would temporary eliminate federal income taxes or SSI for 2011, regardless of income. You receive your paycheck, and the only mandatory deductions are for state income tax.
For those of you who think this is a bad stimulus package, and the government should be responsible for the redistribution our hard earned money, there will be a provision for you to donate part of you income to pay for the stimulus package.
Anyone bother to read anymore?
September 23rd, 2010
10:28 am
Sorry Fuzzy, I should pay attention to my own screen name. lol! Carry on.
Ahnald
September 23rd, 2010
10:32 am
Obamo is taking a great country down the drain, simple as that…his wife hates white people, Reverend Jerimiah is the real Obama
Anyone bother to read anymore?
September 23rd, 2010
10:33 am
As I stated earlier, I’m not a supporter of Obama, however, for all of those who continue to beat the “failed stimulus and it’s Obamas fault” drum in regard to Georgias unemployment rate. I’m assuming you are also going to give him credit for the the unemployment rates in the following states:
1 NORTH DAKOTA 3.7
2 SOUTH DAKOTA 4.5
3 NEBRASKA 4.6
4 NEW HAMPSHIRE 5.7
Perhaps you can tell me what these states did in order to to be worthy of such gifts from Obama? Maybe we can find out and Georgia will once again be at 5% or lower unemployment.
Na
September 23rd, 2010
10:35 am
the unemployment rate is high
it effects the middle class ( the group that Obama is saving)
It effects all the people who voted for him and voted against him.
It is possible to fix this but it starts at the top.
Congress and the President.
Lower corporate taxes to be competitive with other countries.
Make this country business friendly.
Attract businesses
This adds jobs
Jobs create income
Income allow people to buy things and pay for health coverage and retirement.
Income creates more tax dollars
Tax dollars pay for all of the governement programs.
New Congress, New President, make America Great Again.
This is not as hard as it seems.
Obama asked in an interview tell me what to cut in government spending.
Also not that hard
Read all the stupid things added to all bills passed in Congress—— dump them—— save money—- save your children’s future.
Anyone bother to read anymore?
September 23rd, 2010
10:39 am
Here are some more states that seem to have been blessed by Obama and are enjoying substantially lower unemployment rates than the great state of Georgia:
7 KANSAS 6.6
8 IOWA 6.8
8 WYOMING 6.8
10 MINNESOTA 7.0
10 OKLAHOMA 7.0
So again, are you really naive enough to believe that Georgias troubles are the result of the current administration, OR, could it be that Georgias problems are actually the result of it’s own shortsightedness and greed?
chris
September 23rd, 2010
10:40 am
I did what the tea partiers suggested do.. vote all the incumbants out.. in the case of georgia.. THEY ARE ALL REPUBLICANS…
Atlanta is the next detroit.. hell detroit probably has a more diversified economy than atlanta.. our main economic driver here is vacant retail, warehouses, and houses.. oh yeah, the drug trade and coffee shops..
tim
September 23rd, 2010
10:41 am
The recovery summer is over. Now, we have the @!#% fall. One of these days…
Joe
September 23rd, 2010
10:42 am
TOM:
= Typical Obama Moron
dilly t
September 23rd, 2010
10:43 am
Well, well, well, what a mess. Let’s see how many of you kool-aid drinking “party” folk will keep dismissing the sins of your party (right and left) simply because you are unable to call out your own.
Time to stop voting “party” and start voting American. Till then you’ll have a fiscally irresposible right and a fiscally clueless left.
Time to send a message and KICK THEM ALL OUT and take back control.
Anyone bother to read anymore?
September 23rd, 2010
10:44 am
Right there with ya dilly!
buckheadbob
September 23rd, 2010
10:46 am
I agree dilly, both sides have sent us down the drain. They are only taking care of themselves and theirs, and we are funding it. The party approach makes us nothing more than pawns.
Joe
September 23rd, 2010
10:50 am
Real American:
Yeah once again blame it on the Republicans and the melt down. Correct me if I’m wrong but wasn’t it the Dems that shot down all the warnings given by the Reps about the financial problems looming? When they tried to address it with new legislation it was voted down time after time by the house controlled Dems. Haven’t the Dems been in control of the House and Senate the past 4 years???? And when did the melt down begin? 4 years ago??? Nobody seems to remeber this.
suze
September 23rd, 2010
10:52 am
Right on Dilly! I realized some time ago that the party approach to politics was a handicap that kept objectivity and honesty out of our consciousness, afterall, you can’t call out “family”.
Ahnald
September 23rd, 2010
10:55 am
Please let me wake up…and Obama is long gone, please
rpt
September 23rd, 2010
10:56 am
Bush and the republicans were my boys. Then I gave them the eyeball test; no drilling on our soil, no securing of the border, no dropping of entitlements, no cuts to any department, etc. etc. I had to ask myself, just what exactly is a republican anymore, Democrat “light”? I’m done with the parties.
Yurtle_the_Turtle
September 23rd, 2010
11:02 am
The problem is that King Obama hasn’t created enough Federal jobs to keep us all employed. Since he and his minions hate Capitalism so much, and the Democratic answer to problems is never creative and only “more taxes” and “tax the wealthy”, then he can create even more mindless Federal jobs to keep us employed and under his control.
Paul
September 23rd, 2010
11:03 am
It’s all by design folks. Put on Obama’s global governance glasses for a moment and you will see that high unemployement is part of his overarching plan to get Americans more and more dependent on the guberment. So far, his plan is working to perfection. And as long as he can continue to snow the American people – and that hasn’t been too difficult to date- he will continue to push jobs overseas and take hard earned money from hard workers and give it to people with their hand out…
Not going to get any better until Obama’s short term gig at the White House is over.
Paul
September 23rd, 2010
11:07 am
Na – you’re exactly right. You’ve outlined all the common sense things Obama should do to spur the economy. But those are all things in support of free enterprise. Obama doesn’t believe in free enterprise or small government. So he’s going to raise taxes, increase spending and push toward his radical policies of cap and trade, amnesty, global governance – that all go against the American way and will continue to push up unemployment to record levels…
keith
September 23rd, 2010
11:08 am
It appears the “hope” train does not have the steam to make it through even one term. Empty promises and poor actions equal agony for hard working Americans. The progressive movement is taking it’s toll on our financial and civil liberties.Give small business owners tax breaks that are proven to grow the economy and fix this mess!
Anyone bother to read anymore?
September 23rd, 2010
11:16 am
Aaaaand we’re right back in the Obama sandbox. I’ll try to explain it one more time to the Myopic posters here. If, as you say, Obama has destroyed the country and that there are NO jobs out there, Why then is the National unemployment rate lower than Georgias? Why then, are there many other states that have lower unemployment rates than Georgia? Why then do keep you your head in the sand and refuse to acknowledge that whether a state does well or a state does poorly, it has very LITTLE to do with whichever President is in the White House, and has very MUCH to do with how the states govern themselves?
If your only argument is to bash Obama and say nothing about the internal policies and actions that brought Georgia to 10.6% unemployment, then you truly are part of the problem!
tired of no job
September 23rd, 2010
11:23 am
To God I hate this place- you are SO RIGHT!!!! My husband and I hated it also. After 14 months with no job offers at all we moved out of the state to another state which actually has jobs. My husband was offered two great jobs within one week of looking!!!!! It appears that people are leaving Atlanta Metro in droves due to the lack of jobs there. Try renting a moving truck!!! We had a very hard time getting a truck due to all of the people moving out of Georgia.
Yurtle_the_Turtle
September 23rd, 2010
11:24 am
I would have liked to see two types of Healthcare proposed by Washington, with a choice offered to the public (I know, choice and Democrats don’t mix but I’m fantasying here). The first option would be the Obama/Pelosi “choice” of government healthcare, with all the taxes and poor provisions. The liberal and unwashed hordes would love to be taken care of by Big Brother. They could then run it like the do with Social Security and Medicare. The second option would be one in which mirrored a plan in which you get to choose your healthcare provider, had government rebates to help fund your choice, taxed through employer-based selection processes, included “catastrophic-health care” options, and generally allowed you to choose or save for what you wanted to pay for. I wonder which plan would be more popular and broke by the end of a 20 year trial?
Anyone bother to read anymore?
September 23rd, 2010
11:27 am
Hey Tired, congrats! But wait! How is it your husband found a job in another state? You must have moved to a state that was recognized as a sovreignty, and therefore not beholden to Obamas life sucking, business killing ways that we poor folks here in Georgia are still required to suffer under. After all, that;s what most of these posts are inferring. Could it be that you moved to a state that actually takes care of it’s residents and governs in a way that benefits all who live there?
Mike
September 23rd, 2010
11:32 am
Our local unemployment rate has less to do with Obama and more to do with the idiot Governor and the rest of the state politicians who have done nothing to help improve the water situation, our education system, and our infrastructure.
Anyone bother to read anymore?
September 23rd, 2010
11:33 am
FINALLY! Thank you Mike!
Laid Off Teacher
September 23rd, 2010
11:33 am
@outspoken1: Your solution doesn’t include anything for the already-rich, ergo it has no chance…. it makes sense and has made sense since it was first floated before Madoff and Wall Street made off with all of our tax dollars…. this is a blueprint for healing the economy that makes sense, and so it has a snowball’s chance in hell of being enacted…
SW
September 23rd, 2010
11:35 am
To the Atlantan that wrote Georgia should be more like Texas. Let me enlighten you. I moved to Texas several years ago with my spouse from that area. Prior to my arrival I had a great corporate job that allowed for growth with outstanding benefits. I was told that moving to Texas would be great and my standard of living would not change. Instead I found nothing but low paying short term contract jobs with little or no benefits vacation never and the need to be bilingual. It’s like living in a foreign country inside the United States. The illegal Hispanic population soars and there is no push here to stop it. At one point on the local news there was a story on illegal day laborers shown with a microwave, fans and bedding waiting for someone to come by and pick them up for a days work (electricity paid for by city and residents). Sure you pay no state tax but if you buy a home you pay 3-4(k) a year in property tax not including college district and school taxes and you are taxed beyond belief on everything else. The schools are slow and behind the times. When we moved here my child at age 16 had enough high school credit to graduate and when I wanted to move back I found that my other child would be held back a year or more for not having enough credits to graduate. So I hope GA is never like Texas.
M
September 23rd, 2010
11:38 am
RPT, I am with you. I am looking at the Libertarian party for leadership.
Fuzzy Logic
September 23rd, 2010
11:42 am
I’ll never understand why Republicans, who interpret the Bible literally, dismiss “hope” as such a quaint, irrational feeling.
tired of no job
September 23rd, 2010
11:49 am
To Anyone bother to read anymore- yes we did move to a state that takes care of it’s own and governs in a way that benefits it’s people. Also, an added bonus of NO State Tax here and NO taxes on groceries!!!
I am not saying that the problems are all Obama’s fault, actually the current problems are alot of people’s fault beginning with NAFTA!!! This is what started the downfall in our country. This was the beginning of the end for Americans to have jobs, it has gotten worse since then and if I recall Clinton was responsible for that one.
Liberalism is a mental disorder
September 23rd, 2010
11:51 am
Fuzzy Logic – “I’ll never understand why Republicans, who interpret the Bible literally, dismiss “hope” as such a quaint, irrational feeling.”
You misunderstand. Its not that hope is dismissed as irrational. Its the object of the hope that is the question. If your hope in something or someone that is a lie, what good is it? The fact of the matter is that hope in Obama is false hope.
nobama
September 23rd, 2010
11:54 am
Nobama DID bring us hope & change….I don’t know about you but I have no hope that things will change. He never said what kind of change. The Detroit comment is NOT racist & if you think it is then that is your issue.
Anyone bother to read anymore?
September 23rd, 2010
11:55 am
Lib, I agree. However, hope or no hope in Obama has no bearing on the reason why Georgias unemployment rate is higher than the national rate as well as many other states. So the argument is moot to begin with.
Mike
September 23rd, 2010
11:56 am
TO Anyone bother to read anymore… there is not point in trying to explain anything to these people. Georgians are just too stupid to understand. Probably has something to do with our crappy education system.
Anyone bother to read anymore?
September 23rd, 2010
11:58 am
Sooooo nobama, how is it again that Obama is the cause of the unemployment situation in Georgia? Since the article is talking about GA vs. National, I’d be curious as to your rationale. If you can’t answer without facts or cutesy names for Obama, then it would be best if you shut up and let the grown ups talk.
Anyone bother to read anymore?
September 23rd, 2010
12:01 pm
And yes Mike, I agree. Like I said before, I’m not a huge fan of Obama, but I refuse to randomly assign blame. The same way that I can’t point at the dealer who sold me the car when I get into an accident caused by my own stupidity or negligence.