Media Contact:Laura Byrnes, APR, CPRCDirector of CommunicationsO: 352.291.9559 | M: 352.816.1264[email protected]
OCALA, Fla. (Sept. 15, 2023) – The jobless rate in the CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion area was 4.1% in August, an uptick of 0.1 percentage point over the month and 0.3 percentage point greater than the area’s year ago rate. At 224,521, the labor force expanded by 8,591 over the year.
According to preliminary employment data released today by the Florida Department of Commerce, formerly the Department of Economic Opportunity, there were 215,235 employed across the three-county area, an increase of 2,506 over the month and 7,498 more than in August 2022. There were 9,286 unemployed residents, 375 more than the previous month and 1,094 more than a year ago when the rate was 3.8%.
Levy County tied with Marion County with an unemployment rate of 3.9%. For Levy County, the rate was unchanged over the month with 692 unemployed, up by just 21, but an increase of 280 to 17,005 in the number of those with jobs. Marion County notched an increase of 0.1 percentage point over the month with 6,075 unemployed, up by 194, with 147,783 employed for an increase of 511 compared to July. Citrus County posted a 0.2-point increase to 4.8% with 2,519 out of work, up 160, but saw 1,715 more employed at 50,447. Florida’s not seasonally adjusted jobless rate, which matches how the county rates are measured, held at 3.1%.
Dale French, CareerSource CLM’s executive vice president, said that while there was a small jump in jobless numbers, there were much larger increases in the labor force and labor force participation.
“What we are seeing is a large increase in workers moving to the area and reengagement of workers that may have been on the sidelines looking for better opportunities,” French said. “This is great news for local businesses that are in need of talent. Now is definitely a great time for anyone looking at re-entering the workforce or simply seeking a better opportunity.”
French added that one such opportunity is the regional fall job fair that takes place Sept. 27 from 3-5 p.m. at the College of Central’s Florida’s Klein Conference Center in Ocala. Register here: bit.ly/MARIONHIRED.
The fee-free event is open to any job seeker in the three-county region. To date, 30 businesses – all with immediate, multiple jobs to fill – plan to attend. Information, including a list of businesses, can be found at https://careersourceclm.com/event/marion-county-job-fair/.
In August, nonfarm employment in the Ocala Metropolitan Statistical Area, which covers all of Marion County, was 118,400, an increase of 1,900 jobs (+1.6%) over the year.
For the second consecutive month, the Ocala MSA tied for the highest and fastest annual job growth compared to all the metro areas in the state in Information, even though the number of jobs remained unchanged over the year. Government and Other Services sectors grew as fast or faster in the metro area than elsewhere in the state as well.
Industries gaining jobs over the year were Government, Education and Health Services; Trade, Transportation, and Utilities; and Other Services.
Financial Activities, Information, Leisure and Hospitality, and Professional Services industries were unchanged compared to August 2022. Mining, Logging and Construction and Manufacturing, lost jobs.
Nonfarm jobs in the Homosassa Springs metro area, which covers all of Citrus County, hit 36,700, an increase of 1,700 jobs (+4.9%) over the year. At 13.3%, Government jobs had the fastest annual growth rate compared to all metro areas in the state.
The employment summary for September 2023 will be released on Friday, Oct. 20.
For more details about August’s jobs numbers, access the Department of Commerce’s employment summary for the CSCLM area here: August 2023 Employment Overview
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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 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, YouTube and LinkedIn.