Media Contact:
Laura Byrnes, APR, CPRC
Director of Communications
O: 352.291.9559 | M: 352.816.1264
[email protected]
OCALA, Fla. (Oct. 20, 2023) – The jobless rate in the CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion area was 4.1% in September, unchanged over the month and 0.7 percentage point higher than the area’s year ago rate. At 225,391, the labor force expanded by 8,230 over the year.
According to preliminary employment data released today by FloridaCommerce, formerly the Department of Economic Opportunity, there were 216,161 employed residents across the three-county area, an increase of 975 over the month and 6,460 more than in September 2022. There were 9,222 unemployed, down 55 since August and 1,770 more than a year ago when the rate was 3.4%.
For the second consecutive month, Levy County tied with Marion County with an unemployment rate of 3.9% — the same rate as in August. Citrus County’s jobless rate of 4.8% was also unchanged over the month.
Citrus County had 50,299 workers, down 94 compared to August but up 2,331 over the year; there were 2,512 unemployed in September, only three more than the previous month and 518 more than a year ago.
Levy County had 17,308 employed, up 286 over the month and 496 more than in September 2022, and 705 unemployed which was 120 more than the previous month an increase of 145 over the year.
Marion County had 148,562 employed, an increase of 791 compared to August and 3,633 more than a year ago. The county had 6,005 unemployed, a decrease of 64 over the month and up 1,107 compared to September 2022.
Rusty Skinner, CEO of CareerSource CLM, said that the September report shows “several positive signs” for the three-county region.
“First, where there has been growth in people in the labor force, that increase has been absorbed in the job market,” he said, adding that “of course that’s not to say that everyone that entered the labor force in the last month found employment.”
A second positive indication from the report, according to Skinner, centers on the “relative stability of the labor force and employment in Citrus and Levy counties, which is a credit to the resiliency of their employer community after the effects of Hurricane Idalia …”
Skinner noted that CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion received support from Gov. DeSantis to assist any employee adversely affected by the storm, and he encouraged job seekers to visit the CareerSource CLM centers located in all three counties.
“While we realize that transportation is a challenge for many, we serve all three counties and employers are seeking skilled employees, regardless of where they live.”
Skinner pointed to the success of last month’s regional job fair that attracted more than 230 individuals vying to meet with 33 area businesses, all with immediate, multiple positions to fill.
He added that the annual Paychecks for Patriots job fair offers another opportunity for those looking for employment. Paychecks for Patriots is free and open to all general job seekers and features a variety of “veterans friendly” businesses eager to hire veterans and active service members as well as military families. It takes place Nov. 9 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Marion County Public Library Headquarters in Ocala.
In September, nonfarm employment in the Ocala Metropolitan Statistical Area, which covers all of Marion County, was 118,700, an increase of 1,800 jobs (+1.5%) over the year.
Industries gaining jobs over the year were Education and Health Services (+800 jobs; Government (+800 jobs); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+400 jobs); Leisure and Hospitality (+100 jobs); and Other Services (+100 jobs). Government with an annual job growth rate of 5.3% and Other Services at 3.1% grew faster in the metro area than statewide over the year.
Industries losing jobs were Mining, Logging and Construction (-200 jobs) and Manufacturing (-200).
Financial Activities, Information, and Professional and Business Services were unchanged over the year.
Nonagricultural jobs in the Homosassa Springs MSA, which covers all of Citrus County, hit 36,500, an increase of 1,400 jobs (+4.0%) over the year. At 13.0%, Government jobs once again had the fastest annual growth rate compared to all metro areas in the state.
The employment summary for October 2023 will be released on Friday, Nov. 17.
For more details about September’s jobs numbers, access the FloridaCommerce employment summary for the CSCLM area here: September 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.
Searching for New Hires?
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 $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, Jobs352, YouTube and LinkedIn.