Media Contact:
Laura Byrnes, APR, CPRC
Director of Communications
O: 352.291.9559 | M: 352.816.1264
[email protected]
OCALA, Fla. (Aug. 18, 2023) – The jobless rate in the CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion region was 4.0% in July, up 0.2 percentage point over the month and 0.3 percentage point greater than the region’s rate from the previous year. The labor force was 221,628, expanding by 7,232 for a 3.4% increase over the year.
According to preliminary employment data released today by the Florida Department of Commerce, formerly the Department of Economic Opportunity, there were 212,716 employed across the region, a decrease of 743 over the month but up 6,328 compared to July 2022. There were 8,912 unemployed residents, 375 more than the previous month and 904 more than a year ago when the rate was 3.7%.
Levy County tied with Marion County with an unemployment rate of 3.8%, up 0.3 percentage point over the month with 666 unemployed. With 5,883 unemployed, Marion County’s jobless rate increased 0.1 percentage point compared to June’s rate. Citrus County had 2,363 unemployed and posted a 0.3-point increase to 4.6%. Florida’s not seasonally adjusted jobless rate, which matches how the county rates are measured, ticked up 0.1 percentage point to 3.1%.
Rusty Skinner, CareerSource CLM’s chief executive officer, said, “The report shows the continued impact of summer workforce transitions- students graduating and other seasonal adjustments.”
Skinner said that there are plenty of employment opportunities in the region and noted that job fairs will take place in Citrus County on Aug. 31 from 2-4 p.m. at the Realtor’s Association of Citrus County in Lecanto and on Sept. 27 from 3-5 p.m. at the College of Central’s Florida’s Klein Conference Center in Ocala.
In July, nonfarm employment in the Ocala Metropolitan Statistical Area, which covers all of Marion County, was 117,700, an increase of 2,400 jobs (+2.1%) over the year.
The Ocala MSA was tied for the highest and fastest annual job growth compared to all the metro areas in the state in Information. Government and Other Services sectors grew as fast or faster in the metro area than elsewhere in the state as well.
Other industries gaining jobs over the year were Education and Health Services; Trade, Transportation, and Utilities; Professional and Business Services; and Leisure and Hospitality.
Mining, Logging and Construction, as well as Manufacturing, lost jobs over the year and Financial Activities remained unchanged.
Nonfarm jobs in the Homosassa Springs metro area, which covers all of Citrus County, hit 35,300, an increase of 1,400 jobs (+4.1%) over the year. Government jobs grew faster than statewide over the year.
The employment summary for August will be released on Friday, Sept. 15.
For more details about July’s jobs numbers, access Department of Commerce’s employment summary for the region here: July 2023 Employment Overview
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Looking for a New Career? Here’s Help
CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion offers in-person job fairs, hiring events, workshops and facilities for job searches, training grants for eligible candidates, career development and one-on-one consulting – all at no charge to those seeking employment. Call 800-434-JOBS (5627) or visit careersourceclm.com to learn more. Career Centers are open for self-service and in-person assistance weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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CareerSource CLM also provides fee-free services to help build and sustain businesses in today’s challenging marketplace. Services include recruitment, assessment, screening, and referrals of qualified job candidates; logistics, coordination, and promotion of customized hiring events; and grants and incentives for training new hires and existing employees. Call 800-746-9950 to learn more.
CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion is a member of CareerSource Florida and a proud partner of the American Job Center network. CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion is supported by the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and other agencies as part of awards totaling $8.2 million (revised annually). Unless otherwise stipulated, all statements, news releases, requests for proposals, bid solicitations and other applicable documents are fully funded from federal sources.
CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion is a member of CareerSource Florida and a proud partner of the American Job Center network. CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion is supported by the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and other agencies as part of awards totaling $6.9 million (revised annually). Unless otherwise stipulated, all statements, news releases, requests for proposals, bid solicitations and other applicable documents are fully funded from federal sources.
CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities and in Spanish. All voice telephone numbers listed above may be reached by persons using TTY/TDD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711. If you need accommodations, call 800-434-5627, ext. 7878 or e-mail [email protected]. Please make request at least three business days in advance. Stay connected with CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.