Media Contact:
Laura Byrnes, APR, CPRC
Director of Communications
O: 352.291.9559 | M: 352.816.1264
[email protected]
OCALA, Fla. (March 13, 2023) – The jobless rate in the CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion region was 3.3% in January, up 0.4 percentage point over the month and 1.3 percentage points lower than the region’s year ago rate of 4.6%. The labor force was 216,178, up 4,039 (+1.9%) over the year. There were 7,214 unemployed residents in the region, an increase of 962 compared to December, but a drop of 2,649 compared to January 2022.
According to preliminary employment data released today by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, there were 208,964 employed across the region, an increase of 6,688 compared to the same time last year.
Levy County continued to post the lowest unemployment rate in the region at 3.1%, an uptick of 0.4 percentage point over the month and 1.2% lower than the previous January. Marion County followed at 3.2%, an increase of 0.5 percentage point over the month and down 1.2% over the year. Citrus County’s rate, at 3.9%, also increased over the month by 0.5 percentage point and dropped by 1.5% compared to January 2022.
Statewide, jobless rates rose slightly in 65 counties, and were unchanged in two.
Dale French, CareerSource CLM’s executive vice president, said, “This is exactly what we expected to see after the seasonal holiday hires and is perfectly normal.”
“That said, the region’s unemployment rate is still extremely low and businesses continue to expand, which contributes to economic recovery,” French said. Over the year employment in the Ocala Metropolitan Area, which includes all of Marion County, grew by 4.4% and it grew by 3.5% in the Homosassa metro area, which cover Citrus County.
Several industry sectors – financial activities, government, other services, and professional and business services – grew faster in the Ocala metro area than statewide over the year. No industries lost jobs.
“We continue to see strong and sustained job gains over the year, along with a steady stream of new career opportunities,” French said. “In today’s labor market, no one who wants good, gainful employment needs to go without a job.”
French pointed out that last month CareerSource CLM joined community partners to hold job fairs for businesses hiring welders, fabricators, and CDL drivers as well as other specialized careers.
More job fairs are being planned for the spring and summer, including ones for youth/young adults as well as for mature workers.
Information about fee-free job fairs, hiring events and other job seeker and employer services are available at careersourceclm.com or by calling 800-434-JOBS (5627).
State and local employment reports for February 2023 are scheduled for release on March 24.
For more details, access DEO’s employment summary for the region here: January 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 $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 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.