The Center issued its 2000 Summer Quarter Forecast noting that job growth, the Georgia GSP and housing starts will continue to grow, but at a slower pace. A drop in economic activity, however, is not expected through the end of 2002.

After tallying up 150,000 new jobs in 1999, the state is expected to average 113,700 this year with further slowing to 71,000 in 2201 and 64,200 in 2002. Georgia's unemployment rate was at 4% in 1999 and has dropped to 3.6% this year. That rate is expected to rise to 3.8% next year and back to 4% in 2002.

Atlanta, which accounts for much of the job gain in the state numbers, created a healthy 106,400 new jobs in 1999 and forecasters project 85,600 new jobs for the current year. Estimates for new jobs in the metro area for the next two years are 55,500 and 51,775 respectively. High-tech employment growth should remain strong, although gains will not be as robust as the past two years.