Economics

Publisher’s Note: ADP is a major employer in Augusta and has represented more than 26 million employees through payroll and HR-type services since 2010. Today, Dr. Simon Medcalfe utilizes their numbers as an alternative to Uncle Sam. Although the continued government shutdown has restricted timely economic data releases, there is still economic data to be found from other sources. The latest ADP report indicated that private employment fell by 32,000 in September (we do not have the official government data for September). This was on top of a smaller 3,000

Publisher’s Note: As you probably witnessed in the months following Helene’s wrath, workers were out and about helping rebuild. Damaged homes, businesses, and public infrastructure were getting rebuilt. Demand was created for construction, engineering, skilled trades, and logistical movers. Federal and relief funds stimulated recovery efforts, but how much? The numbers may surprise you. In terms of employment, both Columbia County in Georgia and Aiken County in South Carolina saw employment increase from December to March by 1.89% and 0.1% respectively. Moreover, March employment in both counties was higher than

After three consecutive months of job losses, employment rose by 800 in August from July. July’s number was revised upwards by 1,100, although it was still lower than June. Professional and Business services saw the largest increase in employment in August, at over 550. Manufacturing also saw a small increase, and manufacturing employment is the highest since November 2024 at 24,085. The government sector saw large employment losses in August across all three levels of government. Federal employment fell by 200 and has fallen by 500, or 6%, since February,