Economy runs on confidence - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Economy runs on confidence

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By Stephen Abel - bio | email
Amanda Mears Amanda Mears
Cynthia Drayton Cynthia Drayton
Owner Mark NeSmith with Manager Karen Crosby Owner Mark NeSmith with Manager Karen Crosby

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THOMASVILLE, GA (WALB) - The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down slightly Monday after a big drop Friday based on a disappointing jobs report.

We learned Friday the national unemployment rate rose slightly for the first time in 11 months.

We'll find out Georgia's latest rate next week.

Jobseeker Amanda Mears says even with two small kids at home and one more on the way, her confidence level remains high. "If I had to rate it on a scale of one to ten, it's about an eight. And that's only due to the fact of my current medical situation. But as far as the work and the skills, I'm pretty confident and also confident I'll be able to find work."

Mears says she is taking advantage of every service the Department of Labor offers.

"What we're seeing from most jobseekers is they are just anxious to get back into the market. And so in most cases they are looking diligently to find opportunities and we try to provide workshops and services in order to encourage and promote opportunities," said Thomasville GDOL Branch Manager Cynthia Drayton.

The owner of NeSmith Nursery in Thomasville, Mark NeSmith, is staying optimistic. "Our confidence level is up a little bit. I know there is a lot of gloom and doom out there in the media. And of course we would expect that with an election year. You got one side who is going to try to tell you how good things are and you have one side who is going to try to tell you how bad things are."

NeSmith says in his business, he needs to rely on the weather, which can be a little nerve racking. "Well I've been at it for 28 years so I guess you never get comfortable with it, but you know that it's there so you just deal with it as it comes. This year has been a little different year for us. We got a lot earlier start."

NeSmith says he is blessed to be located in the Thomas County area.

He says the community has not only helped him stay in business, but also to stay profitable.

While jobs were added nationally last month in health care, transportation and warehousing, and wholesale trade, construction employment declined.

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