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.
For instant updates, follow me on Twitter.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
111 comments Add your comment
Lou
September 23rd, 2010
12:03 pm
Remember DOL Commissioner Thurmond is running for the Senate. A trub blue blood Democrat up and down the line, so how if you elect this guy he will bring jobs back. He supports the current policy of jobs disincentives and he’ll be in lockstep with the Dems in Washington. If he was a labor commissioner that created jobs, that would be a different matter.
Fuzzy Logic
September 23rd, 2010
12:04 pm
“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.”
“The fact of the matter” is really just your opinion. A lot of people would argue the same thing about the Bible, heaven, Ayn Rand, supply-side economics. Stop being so myopic; not everything is black and white and simple.
Anyone bother to read anymore?
September 23rd, 2010
12:07 pm
But it is Fuzzy, we have a high unemployment rate in Georgia because everyone said that it’s Obamas fault.;) Perhaps we should move to the Midwest, because it appears that they the magic potion to thwart Obamas evil plans. How else could you account for their low unemployment and stable housing market?
because 'hope' is only a word
September 23rd, 2010
12:19 pm
Obama gives great speeches. He really does. Only problem is that he has done NOTHING to improve the economy and has never had a concrete plan for anything. His economic advisors are all quiting because they know he is ruining our country and doesn’t have a workable plan. He and his liberal cronies have wasted trillions of dollars and created the largest deficit in history. We can not sustain it much longer.
His health care plan will bankrupt us for a lot of different reasons. Many businesses simply can not afford it and will go under or stop hiring as a result. Unemployment will remain high as long as we continue to pay unemployment for 99 weeks – and not just for the obvious reasons. Businesses unemployment rates (the amount they pay into unemployment) have skyrocketed making it too expensive and risky to hire people. Add in the mandatory health insurance and ‘taxes on the rich’ and business just have too many reasons to NOT hire people.
After 26 weeks of unemployment, maybe the government should still pay something. However taking it out of the unemployment fund creates MORE unemployment.
Obama and other politicians come up with these knee jerk plans without thinking them through.
Kick them out in November.
James B.
September 23rd, 2010
12:32 pm
outspoken1, you know 40,000,000 x 1,000,000 = 40,000,000,000,000. Which is 40 trillon. So for 40 trillon you can fix the economy? Wow, you’re the biggest big spender of them all. They could sure use you in Washington!
Wikipedia
September 23rd, 2010
12:39 pm
The following statements are missing citations:
“Only problem is that he has done NOTHING to improve the economy and has never had a concrete plan for anything.”
“His economic advisors are all quiting because they know he is ruining our country and doesn’t have a workable plan.”
“His health care plan will bankrupt us for a lot of different reasons. Many businesses simply can not afford it and will go under or stop hiring as a result.”
“Unemployment will remain high as long as we continue to pay unemployment for 99 weeks – and not just for the obvious reasons.”
“Businesses unemployment rates (the amount they pay into unemployment) have skyrocketed making it too expensive and risky to hire people.”
“However taking it out of the unemployment fund creates MORE unemployment.”
Tracy
September 23rd, 2010
12:58 pm
It’s funny how anti-big government advocates are now wanting big governemnt to get into the “private’” sector’s business to create jobs. It’s funny how they want big government to control each state’s right to control it’s deficits and job creations. THis article is about Georgia so wee need to hold Perdue accountable. Nothing new b/c we been dealing with it all of our lives. Let’s look at how Perdue spent the money given in the recovery act: $2.2 Billions in eduacation. I see the new schools being built and I see after school programs. he spent $1.9 Billion on Health / Human services. I read and article about the increase on people washing their hands (particularly Atlanta). maybe some of that money went to reseach of CDC. Also have to fight the flu. $991 Million spent on transportation: definately see the roads being worked on. HERO is able to continue its service to assiting roadside service to stranded motorists. Perdue allocated $366 Million on jobs. Jobs wasn’t a big focus of his. In fact energy / environment came before employment. Only areas receiving less money than employment is public safety and housing/ community. Outside of education, I see Perdue giving more money to potential “private” sectors industries than I see ” Public”. You ask him “why is that”, not Pres. Obama. For some people, Pres. Obama will always be the reason why bad stuff happen and the reason why his success will be overlooked
DO THE MATH
September 23rd, 2010
1:07 pm
‘Kate So we’ve had the blame-fest.
Now what are the solutions?
What could Georgia be doing to increase employment and economic growth? What would you do if you were in charge?’
Well for starters:
1- Build a new large international airport between Savannah and Brunswick to Relieve some pressure on Hartsfield -this would create a massive construction project followed by employment opportunities in and around the Airport that would support over 30,000 new jobs and bring additional tourism to Georgia’s coast …..it would also teeup the possibility of a rapid rail connection between the airport’s
2- Build additional state prisons to eliminate early release ….this creates construction jobs and leaves behind permanent jobs while improving safety in our state
3- Build additional jails where needed , this creates construction jobs and leaves behind permanent jobs while improving safety in our cities
4- build two incredible state run casinos, one north of Savannah and of the other just south of Brunswick. This would create construction jobs, create thousands of jobs, be self funding (taxpayers would not be on the hook for salaries and benefits), and revenue generating (pumping profits back into the community and the state, perhaps even funding the creation of additional trauma centers across the state ) this has the added benefit of drawing more tourism to Georgia and perhaps even wealthier retirees who might have opted for Las Vegas instead .
5-If the state passed a law that said any homeowner can put a wind turbine on their residential property regardless of covenants, (and, if Georgia would provide a tax incentive to individuals who installed aGeorgia manufactured wind turbine on their property) you would see companies that build residential wind turbines startup, or move to Georgia, potentially creating thousands of new jobs in the manufacture -delivery -installation -and maintenance of the turbines.
Lots more where those came from….
bev
September 23rd, 2010
1:11 pm
ATTN: Outspoken1 – I fully agree with your plan and will pass it on!!
The Labor Guy
September 23rd, 2010
3:17 pm
ONE of the biggest things affecting high unemployment rates in Georgia is the constant extending of Unemployment benefits. Finding jobs for those who REALLY want to work is what I do for living and I’m telling you that there are available jobs out there. I have completely lost count of first-hand stories of individuals who simply WILL NOT look for a job as long as they can continue collecting an unemployment check – which can easily amount to over $1,400 a month.
Yes, you may say “Who can live off of $1,400 a month?” It’s not just the $1,400 per month they are getting. Many are receiving other government subsidies (rent/mortgage assistance, free child care, no-cost job training, food assistance, etc.) and will continue to do so AS LONG AS THEY ARE UNEMPLOYED. So much consensus is “Why should I run out and find a job because if I do I will lose all of these extra benefits I’m receiving for NOT having a job”.
Change is hard
September 23rd, 2010
4:48 pm
Yes we can—hope and change!