Media Contact:
Laura Byrnes, APR, CPRC, FCWP
Director of Communications
O: 352.291.9559 | M: 352.816.1264
[email protected]
OCALA, Fla. (Aug. 16, 2024) – The jobless rate in the CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion region was 4.9% in July, up 0.4 percentage point over the month and 0.9 percentage point greater than the region’s year ago rate of 4.1%. The labor force was 219,011, virtually unchanged over the year. There were 10,831 unemployed residents in the region, an increase of 887 compared to June and up 1,872 over the year.
According to preliminary employment data released today by FloridaCommerce, there were 208,180 employed across the region, down 922 since June and 1,968 fewer than the same time last year.
Levy County continued to post the lowest jobless rate in the region at 4.4%, up 0.3 percentage point over the month and greater than the year ago rate of 3.9%. Marion County followed with 4.7%, also up 0.3 percentage point compared to June and greater than the year ago rate of 3.9%. Citrus County reported a 5.9% unemployment rate, an increase of 0.7 percentage point over the month and up from the year ago rate of 4.8% over the year.
“This month’s report shows an expanding labor force in Marion and Levy counties, driven by workers who are newly entering the workforce or those re-entering the workforce,” said Rusty Skinner, CareerSource CLM’s chief executive officer. “We see this energy in our offices, but especially in our hiring events, such as our job fairs. Citrus remains an enigma.
“While customers seeking employment show increases in our offices and at events, the overall labor force and employment has shrunk. This is puzzling as we see more career opportunities created, such as the recent opening of Target.”
Skinner noted that last month more than 130 job seekers attended a Summer Job Fair in Ocala along with 20 businesses. On Aug. 27, there will be a Citrus County Job Fair from 3-5 p.m. at the College of Central Florida’s campus in Lecanto. Additional events include the Marion County Fall Job Fair in September and the annual Paychecks for Patriots in November.
“These job fairs offer an array of opportunities and strong support by employers,” said Skinner, adding that all hiring events are free and open to anyone in the three-county region.
Citrus County’s labor force in July was 49,277, a contraction of 784 over the month and a dip of 162 over the year. The county had 46,373 employed, a decrease of 1,077 compared to the previous month and 677 fewer than the same time last year. There were 2,904 unemployed, an increase of 293 over the month and 515 more than in July 2023.
Levy County had a labor force of 17,339 which was a drop of 37 over the previous month and 71 less than the same time last year. There was 16,582 employed in June, a decrease of 18 over the month and down 153 compared to July 2023. There were 757 unemployed, up 55 compared to June and 82 more over the year.
Marion County’s labor force was 152,395, an expansion of 712 over the month and 137 more over the year. There were 145,225 employed, up 173 compared to June and down 1,138 compared to the same time last year. The county had 7,170 unemployed in July, 539 more than the previous month and 1,275 more than in July 2023.
In July, nonfarm employment in the Ocala Metropolitan Area, which covers all of Marion County, was 120,700, an increase of 2,000 jobs over the year for a 1.7% growth rate over the year.
At 3.5% job growth, the Education and Health Services industry grew faster in the metro area than statewide over the year adding 700 jobs for a total of 20,600.
Other industries gaining jobs over the year were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+600 jobs); Mining, Logging, and Construction (+500 jobs); Government (+300 jobs); Leisure and Hospitality (+100 jobs); and Other Services (+200 jobs).
Industries losing jobs were Manufacturing (-200 jobs) and Information (-100 jobs).
Professional and Business Services and Financial Activities industries were unchanged in jobs over the year.
The Homosassa Springs Metro Area, which encompasses all Citrus County, reported 35,000 nonagricultural employment and increase of 400 jobs (+1.2%) over the year. The Government sector was unchanged compared to July 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 August 2024 are scheduled for release on Sept. 20.
For more details, access FloridaCommerce’s Florida Insight employment information for CareerSource CLM region 10 here: July 2024 Employment Data
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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 $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.