Ocala MSA information industry growth rate continues to lead state
(OCALA, Fla.) – For the fifth consecutive month, the unemployment rate continued to tumble in the Workforce Connection region of Citrus, Levy and Marion counties, falling in April to 9.6 percent – the first time it has hit single digits since November 2008 when it was 9.7 percent. Last year at the same time, the regional unemployment rate was 11.7 percent, and it was 12.7 percent in April 2010.
The Ocala Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) dropped from the second highest unemployment rate in Florida to fourth highest. It also continued to lead the state with the highest growth rate over the year in the information industry and ranked fourth for the second consecutive month in manufacturing.
The April 2012 unemployment rates, released by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, were 9.7 percent in Marion County, down over the month from 10.3 percent; 9.6 percent in Citrus County, dropping from 10.1 percent; and 8.9 percent in Levy County, down from 9.4 percent.
The not seasonally adjusted rate for Florida is 8.3 percent and 7.7 percent for the United States. Out of a labor force of 203,007, there were 19,495 unemployed, down 1,183 in the number of jobless in March and a drop of 4,410 since the same time last year. At the same time, the drop in unemployment numbers were accompanied by contraction of the labor force and job growth and employment were slightly less than in March in both Citrus and Levy counties.
Rusty Skinner, CEO of Workforce Connection said this sort of month-to-month “bounce in data is something that we have experienced before, but I do not feel that it is discouraging.” “For the second month in a row, we have seen employment expansion in Marion County and, most importantly, an expansion of our employment in manufacturing,” Skinner said. “This is a good sign for the economy in Marion County. Another positive is growth in information sector jobs.”
Here’s how each county’s employment numbers stacked up: · Citrus County’s labor force dropped by 363 to 54,896, the number of employed fell by 11 to 49,634 while those without jobs dropped by 352 to 5,262. The unemployment rate in April 2011 was 11.3 percent. · Levy County’s labor force shrank by 133 to 16,771, employment is down by 49 jobs to 15,278 and the number of unemployed dropped by 84 to 1,493. The unemployment rate one year ago was 10.5 percent. ·
Marion County’s labor force decreased by 300 to 131,340, the number of employed rose by 512 to 118,600 and those without jobs fell by 812 to 12,740. The unemployment rate fell over the year from 11.9 percent. While the regional labor force shrank by 740, that tracks a drop of 28,000 in the statewide labor force, according to Rebecca Rust, DEO’s chief economist.
Rust noted that while a portion of the drop may be due to discouraged job seekers leaving the labor market, she cited Moody’s Analytics research showing that 60 percent of those who dropped out of the labor force were employed. “A discouraged worker would be those who did not have a job before dropping out,” Rust said, adding that the shrinkage in the labor force “likely means employees have entered retirement.”
Rust said that other factors impacting the labor force include those leaving jobs voluntarily due to disability or to pursue higher education. The percentage of job leavers – 7.9 percent in April – had been rising steadily since January when it was 7.3 percent, hitting a high of 8.7 percent in March.
In contrast, the percentage of job losers fell to 54.5 percent in April, down over the month from 54.7 percent and a drop of 2.5 percentage points since January. Statewide, the unemployment rate dropped in 65 of Florida’s 67 counties, and remained unchanged in the others.
“That’s a good sign for local areas,” Rust said. Marion County’s unemployment rate dropped from seventh to ninth place, Citrus County fell to 11th from 10th and Levy County also dropped one rank to 17th. The Ocala MSA fell two notches to post the fourth highest unemployment rate, behind Palm Coast with 11.6 percent and Sebastian- Vero Beach and Port St. Lucie, both with 9.8 percent.
Four major industries gained jobs over the year, led by education and health services (+400 jobs), manufacturing (+200 jobs); and information and leisure and hospitality (+100 jobs each). The Ocala MSA’s 6.7 percent growth rate in information led all regions in the state and the Ocala MSA ranked fourth in manufacturing growth rate of 3.1 percent. Job gains were offset by losses in trade, transportation and utilities (-500); mining, logging and construction (-400 jobs); and government (-200 jobs) Financial services, professional and business services, and other services remained unchanged over the year. What’s most important is looking at longterm trends,” Rust said.
“Long-term trends do track – if unemployment goes down, jobs will go up. Month-to-month, it’s not going to track every month.” For the Ocala MSA the labor force expanded six times since January 2011 for an increase of 3,805 and contracted six times for a decrease of 3,648. The number with jobs rose eight times (+5,239) and dipped down four times (-2,103) for a net gain of 3,136; and those without jobs dropped nine times (-4,542) and rose just three times (+1,563) reducing the number of unemployed by 2,979.
Workforce Connection is among the top 10 ranked regional workforce boards for reported job placements in March and April, placing 1,543 individuals of which 306 were receiving unemployment compensation. “With every job placement, we are advancing workforce and economic development goals to strengthen Florida’s economy,” said Chris Hart IV, President/CEO of Workforce Florida Inc., the state’s chief workforce policy organization. “Economic success starts at the regional level and I commend boards statewide and their frontline staff for maintaining a strong focus on jobs.” Since November, when the state’s 24 regional workforce boards began reporting placements, Workforce Connection has found jobs for 3,121 of which 755 or 24 percent had been collecting unemployment compensation.
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 April 2012 unemployment reports or to find out more about upcoming events and services, visit www.clmworkforce.com or call 1-800-434- JOBS, ext. 1234
