The team at Workforce Connection of Citrus • Levy • Marion has compiled unemployment figures by industry and wages for the three county area. Click 2010-august-worforce-data to download the one page report.

Our partners at Workforce Connection have released details on the latest drop in unemployment rate. Read their release below:

Today’s release of unemployment data for Citrus, Levy and Marion Counties from the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation (AWI) indicated decreases in unemployment rates in the three counties, region, state and nation for May 2010.

Workforce Connection’s Region, including Citrus, Levy and Marion Counties, posted a 13.2 percent unemployment rate, down .4 percent from last month. The State of Florida’s rate inched down from .3 percent to 11.7 percent in May 2010. The nation’s current unemployment rate is 9.7 percent for May 2010, edging down from 9.9 percent in April 2010.

Marion County posted a 13.6 percent unemployment rate for May 2010, a decrease of .3 percent from April 2010. The Ocala Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is currently ranked fourth highest in Florida for unemployment. The Ocala metro area’s May 2010 nonagricultural employment increased by 700 jobs or .8 percent from the previous month.

Citrus County followed with a rate of 12.7 percent, a decrease of .3 percent from the previous month. Levy County posted 12.4 percent, a decrease of .2 percent from April 2010.

Rusty Skinner, Workforce Connection Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Compared with April, the reduction in unemployment appears to be the result of expansion of employment in the government sector.  This sector grew by 600 jobs in May, but leisure and hospitality as well as education and health services declined 100 jobs each in May.”

“In both Marion and Citrus Counties, there was expansion of the labor force and employment, that appear to have driven the reduction in unemployment.  This trend for the third month is a very promising trend in that it would indicate a level of recovery.  This is a cautious statement because of the short period that we are looking at.  It is, however, a positive sign given our past.  Coupled with a reduction in layoff activity and more job listings, I am optimistic over the indication,” said Skinner.

“Levy County’s reduction is not as attributable and may be the result of workers dropping out of the workforce as there was no expansion of either the workforce or employment.  The three month view makes this uncertain since last month’s reduction appeared to be a result of expansion in workforce and employment,“ said Skinner.

The number of individuals without jobs in Marion County decreased from 18,712 to 18,328 from April to May. The number of unemployed individuals decreased from 7,408 to 7,248 in Citrus County and from 2,099 to 2,046 in Levy County.

The overall traffic at Workforce centers in May 2010 was 8,242, an additional 111 visitors from April 2010. There were 1,584 job orders, employers seeking to fill positions, requested in May 2010, with a total of 14,916 for the year.

To get a full copy of the May 2010 Unemployment Data or to find out more about upcoming events and services, go to www.clmworkforce.com or call toll free 1-800-434-JOBS and speak to a Workforce Representative.

Workforce Connection is a member of the Employ Florida network of workforce services and resources. Workforce Connection is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.  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, please call 352-840-5700, ext. 7878 or e-mail accommodations@clmworkforce.com. Please make request at least three business days in advance.

The Marion County Commission partnered with the EDC to contract National Site Location Consultant John Rhodes of  Moran, Stahl & Boyer to produce a Business Park Study and and marketing plan to further the EDC’s business recruitment and expansion efforts. Rhodes presented his initial findings at the EDC Quarterly Luncheon today. You may download his presentation, 2010-rhodes-pp-for-june-luncheon.

This unique project will serve 665 individuals over a two-year period.  Through  business and community partners, Workforce Connection plans to provide training, support services and placement assistance to the unemployed, low-income residents, high school dropouts and offenders. A variety of training tracks in the green jobs areas will be provided over the next two years. Training areas include energy-efficient building construction and retrofitting, solar installation, bio-fuel manufacturing and distribution, energy efficient assessment, green manufacturing, recycling and sustainable agriculture.

This project not only serves 665 individuals, it is designed to improve the economic and quality of life of West Ocala. This grant will also support current efforts by the City of Ocala including the implementation of the Enterprise Zone.

Workforce Connection, serving Citrus, Levy and Marion Counties, is the first Workforce Board in Florida to access special stimulus funds for subsidized employment. The pilot program with the Florida Department of Children and Families Call Center that funded 76 new temporary jobs in our region is being expanded to include private employers in addition to not-for-profit and public sector employers.

Florida Back to Work is a viable way to create new jobs as we face tremendous unemployment in our region. Funding comes from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds, available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s (ARRA) Emergency Contingency Fund (ECF). Florida can provide up to $200 million in additional one-time, non-recurring federal funds for jobs for Florida’s neediest citizens. Positions can be funded through September 30, 2010.

Private, public and not-for-profit employers can participate in the unique grant funding to subsidize up to 100 percent of the wages and up to 80 percent of the non-wage costs through September 30, 2010 for eligible low income applicants. Eighty percent of some benefits may be able to be reimbursed. Workforce will reimburse employers for monthly wages and applicable benefits paid during the previous month.

Job candidates eligible for the employment program will include parents with a child younger than 18 whose family income is less than 200% of federal poverty level in the last 30 days. Applicants must be enrolled on www.EmployFlorida.com to apply for jobs . Workforce will screen applicants for eligibility and skills to meet employer needs.

Download the FACT SHEET, and call Workforce if you need more information at 352-873-7939, ext. 1606.

Congratulations are in order for Hugh Dailey, President/CEO of Community Bank & Trust of Florida and EDC Vice Chair of Finance.  Dailey was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s Jacksonville Branch for a two-year term which began on December 10, 2009.

For more details on this prestigious honor, click here.

The United States Senate Youth Program offers an annual opportunity for students to have an in-depth view of the federal government.  Washington Week, as the program is called, is an intensive educational program for youth to understand the federal government and who directs it.  Only two student leaders from each state are selected each year (only 104 from across the nation).

Following an intensive all day interview and evaluation process, MTI student Regerio Burton was selected as one of two students representing Florida.  The selected delegates will travel to Washington D.C. in March where they will hear major policy addresses by Senators, Cabinet Members, officials from the Departments of State and Defense and directors of other federal agencies.  The student delegates will also meet with a Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

All transportation, hotel and meal expenses are provided by The Hearst Foundations. In addition, each delegate is awarded a $5,000 college scholarship for undergraduate studies and are encouraged to pursue coursework in history and political science.

At Marion Technical Institute, Burton is a junior enrolled in the Law and Government program and serves as president of the MTI Student Council.  Burton is a native-born Ocalean and involved in many activities, including participating in Vanguard’s Navy ROTC.  Burton was nominated by Mrs. Lynch, his MTI Law and Government teacher, and MTI principal, Mark Vianello.  Mrs. Lynch stated, “Rejerio is an outstanding young man who will represent the state of Florida with the highest integrity.  I am very proud of him and excited for this once in a lifetime opportunity.” The US Senate Youth Program is highly competitive and is merit-based.  The students chosen are consistently of the highest quality in the nation. Mark Vianello, MTI principal, is very enthusiastic about Burton’s accomplishments and the school’s new law program.  “This is a  tremendous achievement for Rejerio and for our program, school, and community.  Regerio represents our community well and is a shining example of Marion County’s youth.”