Governor Sonny Perdue 'Cautiously Optimistic' Regarding Georgia Job Growth

Atlanta - Governor Sonny Perdue issued the following statement today regarding the decrease in first-time unemployment claims in Georgia:

“Georgia's economy is improving and more and more people are getting back to work.  The increase in employment shows that our economy is growing, but we should not be content until every willing worker has a job.  I am cautiously optimistic that more job growth is on its way.”   

The Georgia Department of Labor reported today that first-time unemployment claims, considered a leading economic indicator, decreased by 5.6% in September compared to August. 

The Georgia Department of Economic Development has announced 141 business location and expansion projects in the last 12 months – the highest total of any 12 month period in the department's history.  These announcements will create about 11,000 jobs and over $2 billion in capital investments.  From January to August, approximately 60,000 net new jobs were created in Georgia