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Laura Byrnes, APR, CPRC, FCWP
Director of Communications
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OCALA, Fla. (Sept. 20, 2024) – The jobless rate in the CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion region was 4.8% in August, down 0.1 percentage point over the month and 0.4 percentage point greater than the region’s year ago rate of 4.4%. Out of a labor force 219,353, there were 10,422 unemployed residents in the region, a decrease of 379 compared to July and 809 more over the year.
According to preliminary employment data released today by FloridaCommerce, there were 208,911 employed across the region, up 781 over the month and 2,130 fewer than the same time last year.
Levy County continued to post the lowest jobless rate in the region at 4.2%, down 0.2 percentage point over the month and nearly the same as the year ago rate of 4.1%. Marion County followed with 4.6%, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point compared to July and greater than the year ago rate of 4.1%. Citrus County reported a 5.5% unemployment rate, a decrease of 0.4 percentage point over the month and up from the year ago rate of 5.1%.
Rusty Skinner, CareerSource CLM’s chief executive officer, said that generally area workforce statistics are driven by Marion County. Not so for the August report.
“In an interesting break, Citrus and Levy counties show improvements in all three areas – Labor Force, Employment and Unemployment. Both show growth in the areas of labor force and employment and reductions in the number of unemployed, bringing their positions close to their performance of August 2023.
“Marion County, on the other hand, shows a shrinking in Labor Force and number of employed, but shows a reduction in the number unemployed,” Skinner said. “Normally we would expect seasonal hiring to commence in August and carryover into September, so this is somewhat puzzling for Marion.”
Skinner said that the improvement in Citrus County could be fostered by the opening of major retail businesses, such as Target, while Levy County “would appear solely driven by seasonal hiring.”
Citrus County’s labor force in August was 50,007, an increase of 751 over the month and a drop of 538 compared to the same time last year. The county had 47,276 employed, a bump of 923 compared to July and 666 fewer over the year. There were 2,731 unemployed, a drop of 172 compared to the previous month and 128 more over the year.
Levy County had a labor force of 17,451 which was an increase of 110 over the previous month and 105 fewer than the same time last year. There were 16,715 residents employed in July, an increase of 132 over the month and down 122 compared to August 2023. There were 736 unemployed, down 22 compared to the previous month and 17 more over the year.
Marion County’s labor force was 152,395, a contraction of 459 over the month and drop of 658 compared to August 2023. There were 144,920 employed, down 274 compared to July and a decrease of 1,342 compared to the same time last year. The county had 6,975 unemployed in in August, down 185 since July and up 684 over the year.
Compared to August 2023, the unemployment rate increased in 66 counties and dropped in one. Over the month, the rate rose in one county, remained the same in 13 counties and fell in 23 including in Citrus, Levy and Marion counties.
Skinner noted that CareerSource CLM continues to offer myriad opportunities for job seekers in all three counties including the Marion County Fall Job Fair Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 3-5 p.m. at the College of Central Florida’s Klein Conference Center in Ocala and annual Paychecks for Patriots job fairs slated to take place Nov. 12 at the Realtors Association of Citrus County in Lecanto and on Nov. 19 at CF’s Klein Conference Center.
“We have 40 area businesses lined up for Wednesday’s job fair in Marion County – which, like all our services and events, is free and open to any job seeker in our three-county region,” Skinner said. “Opportunities range from entry-level to seasoned professional, and all employers have immediate, multiple jobs to fill.”
In August, nonfarm employment in the Ocala Metropolitan Statistical Area, which covers all of Marion County, was 121,600, an increase of 2,000 jobs over the year for a 1.7% growth rate.
Job growth rates for Mining, Logging and Construction (+6.3%); Other Services +5.4%); Education and Health Services (+3.5%): and Leisure and Hospitality (+2.9%) industries grew faster in the Ocala metro area than statewide over the year.
Industries gaining jobs over the year were Education and Health Services (+700 jobs); Mining, Logging and Construction (+600 jobs); Leisure and Hospitality (+400 jobs); Government (+300 jobs); Other Services (+200 jobs); and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+100 jobs).
Industries losing jobs were Manufacturing (-200 jobs) and Information (-100 jobs).
Professional and Business Services as well as Financial Activities industries were unchanged in jobs over the year.
Nonagricultural employment in the Homosassa Springs MSA, which encompasses all Citrus County, was 36,000, an increase of 300 jobs over the year for a +1.2 annual growth rate. The Government sector was unchanged compared to August 2023.
Information about fee-free job fairs, hiring events and other job seeker and employer services is available at careersourceclm.com or by calling 800-434-JOBS (5627).
State and local employment reports for September 2024 are scheduled for release on Oct. 18.
For more details, access FloridaCommerce’s Florida Insight employment information for CareerSource CLM Region 10: August 2024 Employment Data
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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 $15.4 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.