In July of 2020, the US Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission to assist with regional economic recovery and resilience-building efforts. The Northeast Georgia COVID-19 Impact Assessment, completed December 2020, is one of the first steps toward preparing an economic recovery and resilience plan to guide those efforts.
The Impact Assessment includes individual county assessments and key takeaways, including:
- Clarke and Oconee counties have had the largest sales tax declines in the region (-4.7% and -3.2%, respectively). Greene County declined 2.7%, likely due to the loss of tourism and extended closure of the Ritz-Carlton due to COVID-19.
- Although initial unemployment claims in the region remain above pre-pandemic levels, the number of new claims have decreased each month since April.
- For the first time since January 2020, job postings in Northeast Georgia exceeded that of last October. However, average monthly postings remain about 10% lower than last year.
- Most of Northeast Georgia’s low-income job loss is in Clarke, Newton, and Walton counties.
This assessment was prepared in partnership with the Georgia Tech Center for Economic Development Research. CLICK HERE to view the full document.
