Media Contact:
Laura Byrnes, APR, CPRC
Director of Communications
O: 352.291.9559 | M: 352.816.1264
[email protected]
OCALA, Fla. (Nov. 18, 2022) – The unemployment rate in the CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion region was 3.4% in October, unchanged over the month and 0.8 percentage points lower than the region’s year ago rate of 4.2%. The labor force was 210,238, up 3,193 (+1.5%) over the year. There were 7,169 unemployed residents in the region.
According to preliminary employment data released today by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, there were 203,069 employed across the region, an increase of 4,638 compared to the same time last year. There were 1,445 fewer unemployed than in October 2021.
Levy County continued to post the lowest unemployment rate in the region at 2.9%, unchanged over the month and 0.7 percentage point lower than the previous October. Marion County followed at 3.3%, up 0.1 percent point compared to September and 0.8 percentage point lower over the year. Citrus County’s rate was 4.0%, the same as in September and 0.6 percentage point lower than the year ago rate.
Rusty Skinner, CareerSource CLM’s chief executive officer, said the report highlights continued job growth in both the Ocala and Homosassa Springs metro areas which cover all of Marion and Citrus counties. In the Ocala MSA, the mining, logging, and construction industry added 500 new jobs and grew by 5.7%, faster in the metro area than statewide over the year. In the Homosassa Springs metro area, 200 new government were added over the year for a 4.4% growth rate, the second fastest annual growth rate compared to all metro areas.
“The jobs are definitely there, and employers are actively hiring,” Skinner said. He pointed out that 20 top businesses, all with immediate jobs to fill, will take part in the 10th Annual Paychecks for Patriots job fair. The job fair, which was postponed earlier in the month due to Tropical Storm Nicole, has been rescheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 30 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Marion County Public Library headquarters in Ocala.
Veterans, military families, and active service members get priority access at 11 a.m. with open access to all job seekers beginning at 11:30 a.m. There is no charge to attend the job fair which is available to anyone in the three-county region.
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 November 2022 are scheduled for release on Dec. 16, 2022.
For more details, access DEO’s employment summary for the region here: October 2022 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.