(OCALA, Fla.) - Workforce Connection`s regional unemployment rate was 10.1 percent in August, down 0.5 percent over the month and down 2.5 percent from one year ago. Out of an expanded labor force of 208,671 there were 21,105 jobless, a drop of 885 over the month and 5,243 fewer than the same time last year. The August 2012 unemployment rates, released Friday by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, were 10.1 percent in Marion County, down 0.5 percent over the month; 10.3 percent in Citrus County, down 0.6 percent; and 9.7 percent in Levy County, down 0.6 percent. Florida`s not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 9.0 percent in August, down 0.3 percent, and the United States rate was 8.2 percent, down 0.4 percent.
At the same time, the number of those with jobs in August increased by 2,665 to 187,566. Workforce Connection CEO Rusty Skinner said that across-the-region expansion of the labor force and increase in the number of those with jobs coupled with the drop in the number of unemployed shows strong movement and belies the notion that the lower unemployment rate reflects discouraged job seekers giving up looking for work. "Seeing this type of improvement across all three areas - expansion of the labor force and employment, combined with a drop in the number of unemployed - is a very positive movement," Skinner said. "While understanding that this is a single month positive across all three, it does provide optimism for our economy and employment." In August, all 67 counties had declines in their unemployment rate over the year. Over the month, 66 counties had declines in their unemployment rates (due to seasonal factors) and one remained unchanged.
Across the region, the labor force grew by 1,780 to 208,671, the number of unemployed dropped by 885 and the number of those with jobs increased by 2,665 to 187,566 over the month. Here is the breakdown for each county: · Citrus County`s labor force increased by 1,094 over the month to 56,846, the number of employed rose 1,315 to 51,012 and those without jobs dropped by 221 to 5,834. One year ago, there were 7,071 unemployed. · Levy County`s labor force increased by 23 to 16,805, employment is up by 121 jobs to 15,167 and the number of unemployed fell by 98 to 1,638. In August 2011, there were 2,009 jobless. · Marion County`s labor force grew by 663 to 135,020, the number with jobs increased by 1,229 to 121,387 and those unemployed dropped by 566 to 13,633. In August 2011, there were 17,268 without jobs. Among Florida`s 67 counties, Marion County`s unemployment rate ranked 15th, Citrus County`s held at 12th and Levy County dropped back one place to 19th. The Ocala Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) remained the fifth highest among the state`s 23 MSAs, behind Palm Coast with 12.4 percent, Sebastian-Vero Beach with 11.9 percent, Port St. Lucie with 11.4 percent and Lakeland-Winter Haven at 10.2 percent. In August, nonagricultural employment in the Ocala Metropolitan Statistical Area was 92,200, an increase of 1.9 percent or 1,700 jobs over the year. That outpaced the state`s growth rate of 1.2 percent. Seven major industries gained jobs over the year, led by education and health services (+700 jobs); leisure and hospitality (+500 jobs each); professional and business services (+400 jobs); manufacturing (+200 jobs); and trade, transportation, and utilities, financial activities, and other services (+100 jobs each).
Two industries that lost jobs over the year were mining, logging, and construction (-300 jobs) and government (-100 jobs). Information remained unchanged over the year. In August, Workforce Connection ranked fifth for job placements among the state`s regional workforce boards with 844 placements. Since January, Workforce Connection has helped 5,487 job seekers find local employment, including 1,247 who had been receiving reemployment assistance (unemployment compensation). Also in August, more employers posted more open positions in the three-county region than they did a year ago. Last month, 562 employers posted open job orders with Workforce Connection totaling 1,685 jobs. That compares to 372 employers with 891 job openings in August 2011, for a 51 percent increase in the number of employers and an 89 percent increase in the number of open positions. Rebecca Rusty, DEO`s chief economist, cited a number of signs of improvement in Florida`s economic conditions: · Florida`s unemployment rate was down 1.7 percentage points from the August 2011 rate of 10.5 percent. It was the 21st consecutive month of over-the-year declines in Florida`s unemployment rate. The current unemployment rate was down 2.6 percentage points from the recent recession peak rate of 11.4 percent reached in January and February 2010.
Seven out of ten major industries gained jobs over the year.
Florida`s annual job growth rate has been positive for the past 25 months. Prior to this, the state had been losing jobs for three years. Florida`s online job ads were up 14.4 percent over the year. Initial claims for Reemployment Assistance were down 9.9 percent from a year ago.
Florida housing starts were up 4.2 percent over the month and 33.7 percent over the year, reaching a level of 3,882 in July 2012.
· Florida median home prices were up 7.8 percent over the year. Workforce Connection is the local, business-led organization dedicated to connecting qualified workers with local employers in Citrus, Levy and Marion counties through cost-effective, high-quality employment, training and education services in collaboration with business, community, education, economic development and government partners. On average, 36,000 job seekers and 1,500 businesses receive services at no charge each year.
To obtain a full copy of the August 2012 unemployment reports or to find out more about upcoming events and services, visit ww.clmworkforce.com or call 1-800-434-JOBS, ext. 1234. | 
