Preliminary unadjusted January unemployment rates in Gordon County rose 1.1 percent to 14.2 percent, up from 13.1 percent in December.
“The combination of declining employment along with an increase in the number of unemployed residents resulted in slight growth in the civilian labor force and an increase in the unemployment rate,” said Ralph Towler, labor market analyst with the Georgia Department of Labor's Office of Workforce Information and Analysis in Atlanta.
Towler also said that seasonal factors played a roll in the increasing employments number, including post-holiday layoffs. However, Prime Outlets General Manager Janet Paulsen said while the outlet had many seasonal employees it wouldn’t be possible for her to pin down the exact number.
Total employment in the county fell to 21,037 in January, down from 21,241 in December. The total number of unemployed people in the county rose to 3,480 in January compared to 3,192.
“The whole economic situation has been challenging for everyone,” said Jimmy Phillips, president of the Gordon County Chamber of Commerce. “I am hoping this is the bottom of the decline for everybody.”
Phillips said with companies expanding or brining in new facilities, Gordon County’s economic outlook could improve in the next 12 to 18 months.
Phillips referenced the LG Hausys project, which will bring in 80 jobs, after the facility is built in Adairsville. Also, Shaw is expected to bring in 175 jobs, and Engineering Floors on McDaniel station Road is projected to bring in another 300 in the next 12 to 18.
“There are some very good projects coming in and we are optimistic,” Phillips said.
Did the Chamber or Gordon Co. Building Authority even ask these companies to offer them to Our workers?
After all, these companies are building on Gordon county land. Using Gordon County natural resources.The County is giving them Gordon County taxbreaks. It would make sense that You guys would ask them to offer jobs to Our unemployed first !! Wouldnt it??