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Laura Byrnes, APR, CPRC, FCWP
Director of Communications
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OCALA, Fla. (Oct. 21, 2024) – The jobless rate in the CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion region was 4.7% in September, down 0.2 percentage point over the month and 0.5 percentage point greater than the region’s year ago rate of 4.2%. Out of a labor force 219,792, there were 10,245 unemployed residents in the region, a decrease of 187 compared to August and 904 more over the year.
According to preliminary employment data released Oct. 18 by FloridaCommerce, there were 209,547 employed across the region, up 680 over the month and 2,224 fewer than the same time last year.
Levy County continued to post the lowest jobless rate in the region at 4.1%, down 0.1 percentage point over the month and nearly the same as the year ago rate of 4.0%. Marion County followed with 4.4%, a decrease of 0.2 percentage point compared to August and greater than the year ago rate of 4.0%. Citrus County’s rate held over the month at 5.5%, up from the year ago rate of 5.1%.
Rusty Skinner, CareerSource CLM’s chief executive officer, said the report shows slight increases in labor force and employment in Levy and Marion counties but that Citrus County “continues to respond differently.”
“This creates an interesting picture when you compare the number drops in workforce and employment to the expansion of retail in the Black Diamond area,” he said. “A more detailed review to determine which sectors saw slight shrinkage in its workforce will help us define the cause. Next month’s report will give us a better picture of the impact of (Hurricane) Helene.”
Citrus County’s labor force in September was 49,850, a decrease of 176 over the month and down 407 compared to the same time last year. The county had 47,087 employed, a drop pf 211 compared to August and 625 fewer over the year. There were 2,763 unemployed, a slight increase of 35 over the month and 218 compared to September 2023.
Levy County had a labor force of 17,747 which was an increase of 289 over the previous month and 79 fewer than the same time last year. There were 17,023 residents employed in September, an increase of 300 over the month and a dip of 87 compared to September 2023. There were 724 unemployed or 11 fewer than the previous month and just 8 more over the year.
Marion County’s labor force was 152,195, an expansion of 380 over the month and drop of 834 compared to September 2023. There were 145,437 employed, an increase of 591 compared to the previous month and a decrease of 1,512 compared to the same time last year. The county had 6,758 unemployed in September, down 211 since August and up 678 over the year.
Compared to September 2023, the unemployment rate increased in 63 counties and dropped in four. Over the month, the rate rose in four counties, remained the same in 12 counties including Citrus County, and fell in 51 including in Levy and Marion counties.
Skinner said that there are plenty of opportunities for those seeking employment, noting that more than 300 job seekers attended the Marion County Fall Job Fair last month and that 92% said they found an opportunity of interest in meeting with hiring representatives from more than 30 local businesses.
“We’re set to do that again in November with our Paychecks for Patriots job fairs,” Skinner said, adding that the events take place Nov. 12 from 2-4 p.m. at the Realtor’s Association of Citrus County in Lecanto, and on Nov. 19 from 2-4 p.m. at the College of Central Florida’s Klein Conference Center in Ocala.
While the job fairs are free and open to any job seeker in the region, priority access is given for the first hour to veterans, active service members and their military families.
In September, nonfarm employment in the Ocala Metropolitan Statistical Area, which covers all of Marion County, was 121,700, an increase of 1,800 jobs over the year for a 1.5% growth rate.
Job growth rates for Mining, Logging and Construction (+7.4%); Other Services +5.4%); Education and Health Services (+3.5%): and Leisure and Hospitality (+2.2%) industries grew faster in the Ocala metro area than statewide over the year.
Other Services also posted the third fastest annual job growth rate compared to all other metro areas in the state.
Industries gaining jobs over the year were Education and Health Services (+700 jobs); Mining, Logging and Construction (+700 jobs); Leisure and Hospitality (+300 jobs); Government (+300 jobs); Government (+200 jobs); Other Services (+200 jobs); and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+100 jobs).
Industries losing jobs were Professional and Business Services (-200 jobs); Manufacturing (-100 jobs); and Information (-100 jobs).
The Financial Activities industry was unchanged in jobs over the year.
Nonagricultural employment in the Homosassa Springs MSA, which encompasses all Citrus County, was 35,700, an increase of 400 jobs over the year for 1.2% annual growth rate. The Government sector was unchanged compared to September 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: September 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.