State jobless rate hits 7.8 percent in July
ATLANTA — Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for July was 7.8 percent, up four-tenths of a percentage point from 7.4 percent in June, the Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday. The rate in July last year was 8.3 percent.
“The July rate increase is primarily due to temporary seasonal layoffs in local government and manufacturing,” said Labor Commissioner Mark Butler.
Savannah gained 2,300 jobs from July 2013 to this year, up from 160,800 jobs to 163,100, an increase of 1.4 percent.
Hinesville gained 300 jobs, up from 19,200 to 19,500, an in crease of 16 percent.
The number of new unemployment claims in Savannah was down 347 year to year, from 1,418 to 1,071.
In Hinesville, 52 fewer new claims were filed, down from 225 to 173.
Statewide, there were 4,098,400 jobs in Georgia in July, 12,800 fewer than in June, with the bulk of the loss in local government educational services.
“The positive news is that Georgia’s private sector employers created 8,200 jobs in July, with the growth coming in several industries,” Butler said. “And, the over-the-year growth continues to be strong, as we had 83,300 more jobs than in July of 2013.”
Hospice launches annual food drive
Gentiva Hospice’s Savannah and Statesboro locations are having a food drive to benefit America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia.
Staff members will blanket the Savannah and Statesboro areas throughout this month, distributing food collection bags and gathering donations for the food bank as part of the company’s tenth annual food drive.
Last year’s food drive gathered more than 377,000 pounds of goods across the country.
For more information, call 912-352-8200.
Huffington Post likes Bluffton
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — Huffington Post’s “So Over the Beach? 10 Amazing Non-Beach Alternatives for a Summer Getaway” July feature named Bluffton, S.C., No. 1 on its top 10 list of summer getaway destinations.
The feature showcased the town of Bluffton and the Inn at Palmetto Bluff.
“Situated along the May River and bursting with Southern charm, Bluffton’s part of a peaceful, beautiful region along the South Carolina coast known as Carolina Lowcountry,” the item reported.
It went on to say Palmetto Bluff is noted for its beautiful inn, picturesque village, private homes, 18-hole golf course and recreation facilities.
ON THE WEB
Pooler saw a few more businesses open up in the last month with more construction underway. Go to savannahnow.com/exchange to see a slideshow of all businesses that have opened in Pooler so far in 2014.
