Region’s jobless rate drops in June to 8.8% says CareerSource
The region’s labor force was 194,802, an increase of 926 since May and a loss of 7,341 over the year. There were 177,598 employed, representing a one-month increase of 5,386 and a drop of 15,680 compared to June 2019.
Nonfarm employment in the Ocala/Marion County metropolitan statistical area was 104,400, a decrease of 1,300 jobs (-1.2%) over the year.
The Ocala MSA had both the highest annual job growth and job growth rate in trade, transportation and utilities, at 300 jobs and 1.2%, compared to all the metro areas in the state.
In addition, mining, logging and construction grew faster in the metro area than statewide, adding 400 new jobs for a growth rate of 4.7% over the year.
According to the preliminary jobs report for June, released July 17, 2020 by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Levy County had the lowest jobless rate in the region at 7.5%, down 1.6% over the month; Marion County followed at 8.5%, a 2.2% drop; and Citrus County’s rate was 10.2%, down 3.1% from May. Florida’s not seasonally adjusted jobless rate – a measure that matches the way local rates are calculated – was 10.7%, down 2.8% over the month and an increase of 7.4% compared to June 2019. The nation’s jobless rate was 11.2%, down from 13% in May and up 7.4% over the year.
Rusty Skinner, chief executive officer for CareerSource CLM, said that the June report offers plenty of reason to be “cautiously optimistic.”
“This unemployment data for our three-county area shows a positive movement in all three counties,” Skinner said. “Labor Force and Employment have increased, while the number of our citizens that are unemployed has decreased. We should be positive about this movement in June, but also be cautiously optimistic. We continue to see major hiring in Marion County, as a result of its economic development efforts, and this likely affects all our counties.”
Skinner noted that that in addition to continuing to offer fee-free virtual assistance to businesses and job seekers and providing in-person services, by appointment only, at the region’s career centers, CareerSource CLM now offers virtual job fairs and hiring events.
“We had nearly 300 job seekers register for last month’s job fair, held via Zoom, and businesses are really embracing this option,” Skinner said. “At the same time, we continue to explore ways to offer training and certifications that serve both employers and candidates.” Other initiatives include a grant to place those laid off due to COVID-19 in paid positions with area nonprofits, and an Electronic Associate apprenticeship with Lockheed Martin.
Skinner reiterated that while none of the CareerSource Florida regions administer the state’s Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Insurance) program, staff has restricted ability to assist claimants.
“It’s often easier to work with us directly to get answers,” he said. “We can’t promise we’ll be able to solve all issues, and we can’t process or expedite payments, but we can help in spotting red flags which may be holding things up.”
Statewide, 63 counties including Citrus, Levy and Marion saw drops in unemployment, four counties experienced slight increases ranging from 0.1% to 0.3%.
Here’s a breakdown of region’s June jobs numbers by county:
Citrus County’s labor force shrank by 413 over the month to 45,375, the number of employed increased by 1,023 to 40,729 and the number of unemployed dropped by 1,436 to 4,646. Compared to June 2019, when the jobless rate was 5.1%, the labor force has contracted by 2,300, the number of employed has dropped by 4,501 and the number of unemployed increased by 2,201.
Levy County’s labor force expanded by 193 to 15,478, the number of those with jobs rose by 424 to 14,312 and the number of unemployed fell by 231 to 1,166. That’s an over-the-year drop of 1034 in the labor force, 1,516 fewer working and 982 more unemployed compared to when the rate was 4.1%.
Marion County’s labor force increased by 1,146 to 133,949, the number of those with jobs increased by 3,939 to 122,557 and the number of unemployed