State jobless rate lowest
in four years
ATLANTA — Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined to 8.5 percent in November, down two-tenths of a percentage point from 8.7 percent in October. The rate was 9.5 percent in November a year ago.
“This is the lowest state unemployment rate in nearly four years, since it was 8.5 percent in January 2009,” said State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler. “Once again, the rate dropped because of continued job growth and fewer new layoffs.”
The number of jobs increased to 3,984,000, up by 9,600, or two-tenths of a percentage point, from 3,974,400 in October. The monthly growth came mostly in trade, transportation and warehousing, up 12,400; educational services, up 1,700; information services, up 1,600; local government, up 1,300; financial services, up 1,200; and manufacturing, up 600.
The number of initial unemployment insurance claims declined to 47,351, down by 4,114, or 8 percent, from 51,495 in October. This is the lowest number of claims for November in seven years.
The number of long-term unemployed workers declined to its lowest level in 32 months, dropping 4,100 from October to 202,600 in November.
Rayonier buys more timberland
Rayonier (NYSE:RYN) announced this week it has acquired about 62,600 acres of timberlands in East Texas for $88 million, or $1,406 per acre, and brings the company’s total ownership in Texas to more than 150,000 acres.
“These timberlands, located in one of the most competitive wood baskets in the Gulf States, significantly increase Rayonier’s landholdings in Texas and enable us to better support our existing paper, pulp and solid wood customers,” said Paul G. Boynton, chairman, president and CEO.
Rayonier owns, leases or manages about 2.7 million acres in 10 states in the U.S. and New Zealand.
Rayonier’s real estate subsidiary, TerraPointe, held a groundbreaking ceremony last week for Belfast Commerce Centre, an 1,100-acre industrial park in Bryan County.
Small business seminars set
Hancock Askew & Co. has announced a new seminar series for small business owners. Neville Stein, a CPA and partner at Hancock Askew, will present a bimonthly seminar throughout 2013.
The schedule includes:
Jan. 10: How to read a balance sheet;
March 21: How to read an income statement;
May 9: Income statement vs. cash flow statement: What and why the difference;
July 11: Strange world of debits and credits.
The seminars will be from noon to 1 p.m. in Hancock Askew’s building at 100 Riverview Drive. For more information or to register, contact Barbara Fierstein at 912-527-1337 or bfierstein@hancockaskew.com.