Georgia jobless rate drops to 9 percent
ATLANTA – Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined to 9.0 percent in September, down two-tenths of a percentage point from 9.2 percent in August, the state Department of Labor announced Thursday. The jobless rate was 9.8 percent in September a year ago.
“The unemployment rate dropped in September because Georgia had the fewest new claims for unemployment insurance benefits in five years, since before the start of the Great Recession,” said Labor Commissioner Mark Butler.
The number of initial claims in September declined to 39,564, down by 6,161 from 45,725 in August, the fewest since 32,139 were filed in September 2007. Most of the decline came in administrative and support services, retail trade, health care and social assistance, educational services, and accommodations and food services.
The state lost 400 jobs from August to September but gained 61,800 jobs since the 3,877,600 in September of 2011. Growth sectors were professional and business services; trade, transportation, and warehousing; education and health care; leisure and hospitality; manufacturing; and technology.
Historical society gets digital grant
The Georgia Historical Society will digitize around 1,600 archival collection finding aids over the next two years to create a searchable online database to be hosted by the Digital Library of Georgia.
The National Historical Publications and Records Commission has awarded a $68,488 grant to the society to support the project.
Finding aids are documents that provide detailed information about the contents of individual archival collections, which in turn allows researchers better access to and understanding of the materials. Once the digital database is created, finding aids will be linked to existing online educational resources such as the New Georgia Encyclopedia and the historical society’s Today in Georgia History to provide the public with increased access and context.
Bluffton chamber to hold Lowcountry boil
BLUFFTON, S.C. — Presenting sponsor 98.7 The River, has partnered with the Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce on their inaugural Lowcountry Boil and BBQ event to be held Nov. 10 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Bluffton Oyster Factory Park on Wharf Street in Bluffton.
If it rains, the event will move to the Rotary Community Center at Oscar Frazier Community Park.
In addition to traditional Lowcountry boil, attendees will enjoy pulled pork BBQ, creamy cole slaw, seasoned potatoes, tossed salad and dinner rolls.
Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Children 12 and under are free.
For more information, call 843-757-1010 or go to www.blufftonchamberofcommerce.org
