Latest news with #BárbaraRiveraHolmes
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Department of Labor says Georgia added 6,900 jobs in March
Georgia's latest jobs report showed the rate held steady at 3.6% unemployment. According to the Georgia Department of Labor, the state added 6,900 jobs in March while the rate 'held steady.' 'Georgia's job market is full of opportunity, with nearly 5 million jobs and three openings for every Georgian,' Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes said in a statement. 'As labor commissioner, I'm committed to working alongside the governor, lawmakers, and job creators across the state to connect talent with opportunity and ensure Georgia remains the No. 1 state for business for years to come.' [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Study says high mortgage rates, lack of homes are 'challenges' for American Dream City of Woodstock announces paid parking coming to downtown in June Popular beach vacation spot can 'no longer be a Spring Break town' GDOL said the unemployment rate in Georgia was six-tenths lower than the national rate. In addition to the 6,900 jobs added in March, GDOL said there had been 23,100 jobs added over the year. Industries with the most month-over-month job gains were health care and social assistance, information, administrative and support services, management of companies and enterprises and durable goods manufacturing. However, month-over-month, job numbers fell in transportation and warehousing, accommodation and food services, professional, scientific and technical services, finance and insurance and arts, entertainment and recreation. In March, GDOL said the overall labor force was down 6,619 and down 2,928 over the past 12 months. The number of people working was down 6,654 in March and down 14,039 for the year as well. The number of unemployed people in Georgia reached 11,111 over the year, according to GDOL, while unemployment claims were down 1,168 to reach 19,296 in March. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bárbara Rivera Holmes sworn in as first Latina to lead Georgia Department of Labor
Bárbara Rivera Holmes, middle, is joined family, Gov. Brian Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp after her April 4 swearing-in ceremony as state labor commissioner. Stanley Dunlap/Georgia Recorder Former Albany Herald business reporter Bárbara Rivera Holmes became the first Hispanic woman to hold a statewide executive office position when she was sworn in Friday as state labor commissioner. During Friday's swearing-in ceremony Republican Gov. Brian Kemp trumpeted Holmes' groundbreaking accomplishment becoming Georgia's first Hispanic woman to become a constitutional officer. The former news reporter resigned as president and CEO of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce after being selected by Kemp to fill the remaining term of former Labor commissioner Bruce Thompson, who died in November following an eight-month battle with pancreatic cancer. 'Like I said last night when we announced the appointment of Bárbara Rivera Holmes to this position, I said that she was smart, accomplished and dedicated to growing opportunities for hard work of Georgians,' Kemp said. 'She also brings unique experience in economic development, especially in rural parts of our state, and education at the highest levels in our state will benefit all those who are looking for work.' Holmes will begin leading the Georgia Labor Department amid rising fears of a recession as President Donald Trump's administration levies historic tariffs that critics argue could raise the price of U.S. goods while disrupting the global economy. Her Labor Department predecessor, Thompson, spent a decade in the Senate prior to becoming labor commissioner in 2023, taking over a state agency that had struggled to process a surge of unemployment claims since the start of the pandemic. Late Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson honored by state senators for his service On Friday Holmes credited her family's sacrifices that included her grandparents in 1961 seeking political refuge from Cuba in America as driving force in her becoming the state's 11th labor commissioner. Holmes said Friday that she plans to run for a four-year term as labor commissioner when her current term ends in the 2026 election year. 'The Department of Labor is vital to our state's economy for supporting workforce development, job attainment, safe working conditions and the prosperity of our communities,' she said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New Labor Commissioner makes history as she promises to always put Georgia first
The state's new Labor Commissioner says she will always put Georgians first. Bárbara Rivera Holmes becomes the first Latina to hold statewide constitutional office in Georgia. The governor calls her appointment on Tuesday historic. 'I will advocate for good paying jobs that tap into our state's talent, ensure for safe working conditions and protect secure benefits,' Rivera said. Kemp said Holmes' experience including as president of the Albany Chamber of Commerce and serving on the state's board of regents prepares her to lead the Labor Department. TRENDING STORIES: State orders GA church daycare to shut down after director, 2 workers arrested Man accused of kidnapping Hall County girl pleads guilty to crimes against her Metro Atlanta man charged after missing 16-year-old girl found at hotel 'With her unique experience in both economic development especially in rural Georgia and education at the highest levels of our state she brings an unmatched combination of knowledge and ability to this role that will benefit all those looking for work,' Kemp said. In Georgia, the unemployment rate is 3.6%. That's holding steady and better than the national average of 4.1%. But that doesn't include most of the federal layoffs announced in February, including at the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control on Prevention. According to the Work Source Georgia website, listings show 296,000 openings across the state. Kemp said there are three jobs available for everyone looking for work. 'We continue to work on that team approach and continue to make Georgia the best place to live, work and raise a family,' Kemp said. Former Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson was also remembered on Tuesday. He passed away in November after a cancer fight.
