After some really good employment numbers around the first of the year, we’ve been seeing some softer data lately.
The Savannah metro area (Chatham, Bryan and Effingham counties) had 159,200 jobs in April, up almost exactly 1 percent from a year ago, according to estimates released last week by the Georgia Department of Labor.
We need to be adding jobs at a higher rate than that just to keep up with population growth.
The Savannah economy typically continues to add jobs through May, then the summer slowdown begins. That’s the typical seasonal pattern.
Given some of the recent soft numbers, it’s conceivable that by midsummer we’ll be at the same level of employment as last year.
If you don’t trust the Georgia Department of Labor’s estimates, consider the actual number of claims for unemployment insurance in April.
Statewide, unemployment claims were down about 10 percent compared to April 2012. But Savannah metro area claims were up 13 percent year-over-year.
That’s a striking number — perhaps the worst single data point of the year so far.
On the one hand, the weakening numbers are no surprise. Some of us have been warning about the impending fiscal drag from the sequester, which will have a disproportionate effect in smaller metro areas with large federal facilities such as Savannah and Hinesville.
On the other hand, the weaker numbers seem at odds with all the investment and active construction that we’re seeing around town right now.
The April estimate for the local unemployment rate will be released later this week. We’ll be looking closely at the numbers.
Historic Savannah Foundation hosts open house, accepts bids for historic 19th century home
What a treat it was on Sunday to walk through the P.J. O’Connor House at the northwest corner of Lincoln and 32nd streets.
I’ve lived two blocks away for more than 16 years, but had never gotten inside one of the neighborhood’s most beautiful but most rundown structures.
Fortunately, the 2,300-square-foot home built in 1885 retains many original details.
The Historic Savannah Foundation acquired the property through its innovative and effective revolving fund. HSF is now accepting bids from those with viable plans to renovate the two-story home, which some of you might remember because of the latticework that once covered the porches.
A relative of famed author Flannery O’Connor, Patrick Joseph O’Connor, was an attorney and alderman who also was the national head of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
More than three dozen people had already viewed the P.J. O’Connor house when I dropped by on Sunday. Look for a good turnout for HSF’s final open house from 3-7 p.m. Wednesday.
You can find out more about the bid process via http://www.myHSF.org.
City Talk appears every Sunday and Tuesday. Bill Dawers can be reached via billdawers@comcast.net and http://www.billdawers.com. Send mail to 10 E. 32nd St., Savannah, GA 31401.