2 months ago
Many Central Georgians took this first Monday in September off in celebration of Labor Day.
With 72 percent of Georgia's counties seeing double digit unemployment, this weekend was not a holiday for everyone, and some were determined to take a break this Labor Day, even if the economy is not giving them one.
Kevin Hooper said a little time off at Arrowhead Park this Labor Day weekend was exactly what his family needed, and these past couple days of camping, boating, and fishing helped to take his mind off work.
"We probably all need to be working," said Hooper. "But you do got to take a little time off every once in a while."
Owner of an Industrial construction company, Hooper said the economy has not treated his business very well. In June Hooper was forced to lay off 11 workers, nearly half his staff.
"For the last six months we've just been working week to week more or less," said Hooper. "We won't have anything for next week, and all of a sudden you get a little bit of work and it's enough to keep a few people busy."
According to the State Department of Labor, Georgia lost nearly 200,000 jobs since last July. Most of those losses come from manufacturing, transportation, and like Hooper's business, construction.
While spending their holiday out on the lake, some said a day created as a tribute to America's workers seems almost pointless when so many are out of work.
"You know it's sad for people that don't really have jobs and have to do unemployment," said Terry Taylor, of Lizella. "Some can't even get unemployment.""When you're working blue collar jobs or the factories," said Stacey Fuller, of Lizella. "Sometimes the economy forces businesses to cut them and they have to get rid of the people that were last hired."
Hooper said business seems to be picking up though, and is determined to make the best of things when work starts again Tuesday.
"You gotta take the good with the bad," said Hooper. "And sometimes you just have to make some good out of bad.
