Jobless rate falls in metro Savannah
ATLANTA — The preliminary unemployment rate in metro Savannah declined to 7.7 percent in November, down two-tenths of a percentage point from 7.9 percent in October, the Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday. The rate was 8.4 percent in November 2011.
The rate declined because of job growth and fewer new layoffs, represented by first-time claims for unemployment insurance benefits.
New jobs increased by 500 in metro Savannah, which includes Chatham, Effingham and Bryan counties. There were 154,800 jobs in November, up three-tenths of a percentage point, from 154,300 in October. The growth came in retail trade and was strong enough to offset losses in professional and business services.
In one year’s time, jobs were up in metro Savannah by 4,700, or 3.1 percent, from 150,100 in November 2011.
Metro Athens had the lowest area jobless rate at 6.2 percent, while metro Dalton had the highest at 11 percent.
Georgia labor market data are available at www.dol.state.ga.us.
Group to push for S.C. gas-tax increase
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A group has hired two lobbyists to push for an increase in South Carolina’s gas tax.
The State of Columbia reports the S.C. Alliance to Fix Our Roads says the increase is needed to fund nearly $50 billion in road construction and repairs that are needed in the next 20 years. The group previously focused on education but opted in September to shift its attention to lobbying.
Gov. Nikki Haley has said she is opposed to increasing the gas tax. Haley’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year includes using $14.3 million of general fund money to pay for things the gas tax normally funds, freeing up that gas tax money to pay for road improvements.
South Carolina’s 16-cents-a-gallon gas tax is the third-lowest in the country.
Cleaning service firms merge
Savannah-based Office Clean is merging with 360clean, a commercial cleaning company based in Charleston, S.C.
Office Clean founder and president David R. Boylston announced the merger in a letter to customers on Wednesday.
Boylston said the decision to merge with 360clean was made on Dec. 1, three months after Office Clean celebrated its 10th anniversary. 360clean, he said, has created a reputation for delivering consistent and quality services for medical facilities, banks, educational facilities, industrial facilities, churches, day care facilities, health clubs and auto dealerships.
Office Clean also bought the rights to provide 360cleaning services north to Macon and south as far as Fernadina Beach, Fla., Boylston said.
On Tuesday, Office Clean will change its name to 360clean, he said.