The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) reported Thursday that the preliminary unadjusted unemployment rate in the metro Augusta area declined to 9.5 percent in August, down six-tenths of one percentage point from a revised 10.1 percent in July. The reduction in the rate is primarily due to work force shrinkage.

The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) reported Thursday that the preliminary unadjusted unemployment rate in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) declined to 10.3 percent in August, down seven-tenths of a percentage point from a revised 11.0 percent in July. The reduction in the rate is primarily due to work force shrinkage.

South Carolina’s unemployment rate dropped for the second month in a row in August, decreasing to 11.5 percent. The Employment Security Commission said Friday it had also revised the state’s July rate to 11.7 percent. It had been 11.8 percent, the first decline in more than a year and a half.

Forty-two states lost jobs last month, up from 29 in July, with the biggest payroll cuts coming in Texas, Michigan, Georgia and Ohio.

Unemployment numbers went down in Georgia last month, however slightly. The Georgia Department of Labor reported Thursday that the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined to 10.2 percent in August from a revised 10.3 percent in July.

Georgia will receive more than $21 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to support energy efficiency and conservation activities.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson has told a South Carolina audience that the federal bailout has failed to create jobs in America. The Post and Courier of Charleston reported that Jackson spoke with church members before delivering the sermon at Charity Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston on Sunday.

Georgia’s labor commissioner says 69,869 laid-off workers filed first-time claims for state unemployment insurance benefits in August.

Initial unemployment benefit claims expected Friday could shed light on whether the recession is loosening its grip in Georgia. Georgia Department of Labor officials will release data reflecting the number of laid-off workers who filed first-time claims for state unemployment insurance benefits in August.

White House economists say the Obama administration’s recovery efforts have saved or created more than a million jobs. President Barack Obama has promised that his $787 billion stimulus plan will create or save 3.5 million jobs by the end of next year. In its first report to Congress, the Council on Economic Advisers says the number is more than 1 million, and the stimulus has been the driving force.

With the unemployment rate now at 9.7 percent, the White House is continuing to predict that it will top 10 percent before the recovery sets in.

New jobless claims fell slightly last week while the number of people receiving unemployment benefits rose, a sign the job market’s recovery will be long and bumpy.

There are several business projects underway in the CSRA, right now. And, local officials say that could be a good sign the recession is clearing up a bit. Count on our Fraendy Clervaud. He has the story.

A joint venture by two fabric manufactures will add nearly 70 jobs to South Carolina. Company officials said Wednesday that Brazil-based Fitesa and London-based Fiberweb will build two assembly lines at an existing Simpsonville plant. The joint venture called FitesaFiberweb is investing $100 million.

The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) reported Friday that the preliminary unadjusted unemployment rate in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) rose to 11.1 percent in July, up four-tenths of one percentage point from a revised 10.7 percent in June.