Chip Harp, Valdosta Today Editor:

ATLANTA — Despite news of a recovering economy, thousands of Georgians will spend the holidays in search of new jobs.

According to a report from the Workforce Division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, over 100 Georgia employers notified workers of plans to conduct layoffs or close facilities by the end of March of 2015.  This has already or will impact an estimated 10,000 Georgia workers.

The five largest layoffs announced this year involved World Airways (897 jobs based on Peachtree City), Macy’s (600 jobs based in Atlanta), Exelis (550 jobs based in Columbus), Emory-Adventist Hospital (517 jobs based in Atlanta), and Boeing (464 jobs based in Macon).  Further layoffs in 2015 already announced include Briggs & Stratton (400 jobs in McDonough), General Electric (250 jobs based in Duluth), and Nordstroms (174 jobs out of Buford).

Briggs & Stratton announced the closing of the Henry County plant last July.  It makes pressure washers, snow throwers, lawn mowers and small lawn and garden tractors there.  Nordstroms is closing its Mall of Georgia store in February.