Jobless rate drops to 5.5 percent in Savannah area
Metro Savannah’s unemployment rate for April was 5.5 percent, down from 5.8 percent in March, the Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday.
This is the lowest the rate has been since June 2008 when it was 5.3 percent. The rate in April 2014 was 6.5 percent.
The number of jobs in Savannah increased by 2,800, or 1.7 percent, in April to 171,700, up from 168,900 in March. Most of the gains came in professional and business services, leisure and hospitality and retail trade.
There was an over-the-year gain of 7,500 jobs, or 4.6 percent, from 164,200 in April 2014. Most of the growth came in professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, trade, transportation and warehousing, along with the goods-producing sector, which includes manufacturing and construction.
Initial unemployment claims declined by 135, or 15.8 percent, to 717 in April, down from 852 in March. Most of the decrease came in construction, accommodations and food services, retail trade and manufacturing. Over the year, claims were down by 189, or 20.9 percent, from 906 filed in April 2014.
Metro Gainesville had the lowest jobless rate at 4.7 percent; the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha and the River Valley regions had the highest at 7.3 percent.
The Rotary Club of Savannah steps up
The Rotary Club of Savannah collected $458 at a recent meeting to support the work of Step Up Savannah. The money will be directed to Step Up’s Neighborhood Leadership Academy’ mini-grant program.
The leadership academy, held at Savannah State University in the fall, is a 12-week program for adults who wish to broaden their understanding of community issues and develop effective advocacy skills.
For questions about Step Up or the Neighborhood Leadership Academy, call Kate Blair at 912-232-6747 or visit www.stepupsavannah.org
Educators invited to apply for inaugural fellowship
St. Andrew’s School has announced plans for a “Teach the Future Fellowship,” a fellowship program created for local educators from public and private K-12 schools.
Through a one-year commitment, accepted educators will attend a series of events focused on connecting schools with the growing technology and entrepreneurial community in the Coastal Empire.
They will establish a network of entrepreneurs who are able to open up the possibilities of what school can and should be to prepare students for their present and future potential. The program’s founding members include two educational leaders in the area alongside two board members from The Creative Coast.
Apply for the program by June 12 at www.teachthefuture.com.