Construction continues to add jobs, helps keep unemployment low in SWFL

In Southwest Florida, the construction industry continues to bang out jobs.

In July, the sector created more than 4,900 jobs over the year in the region, mostly in Lee and Collier counties, according to the latest report by FloridaCommerce.

Lee gained 3,100, and Collier sprouted 1,600.

Charlotte County added another 200 to the tally.

The Southwest Florida region is made up of three metros, essentially Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties. Combined, they added 14,600 jobs over the year – a 2.8% increase.

Besides construction, the largest gains in the trio of counties came from:

• Leisure and Hospitality (+3,200)
• Government (+2,200)
• Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+2,100)
• Education and Health Services (+1,600)

"Other Services" added another 1,100 jobs. This category includes such professionals as hair stylists, auto mechanics and clergy.

Three industries lost jobs over the year:

• Financial Activities (-500)
• Manufacturing (-200)
• Information (-100)

Notably, Lee shed 300 jobs in manufacturing, but Collier added 100 in the sector, lessening the blow.

In July, Collier had the fastest annual job growth in leisure and hospitality (+8.3%) in the state.

In Lee, the construction, government and leisure and hospitality industries grew as fast or faster thanstatewide.

Regionally, the unemployment rate continued to edge up, rising to 3.9%. That compared to 3.5% a month ago, and 3.3% a year ago.

Economists consider a jobless rate of 4% to 5% "full employment," as there are always workers between jobs and businesses in flux. So overall the job market remains strong in Southwest Florida.

Earlier: Jobless rates edge up in Southwest Florida with shift to slower season

And: Unemployment remains low across SWFL, Collier leads in adding jobs

Unemployment rates rise, but remain low

Collier continued to boast the lowest unemployment rate in the five-county region.

Here's a look at the rates for July, compared to the same month last year, by county:

• Charlotte: 4.4%, up from 3.9%
• Collier: 3.7%, up from 3.3%
• Glades: 5.1%, up from 4.6%
• Hendry: 6.6%, up from 5.7%
• Lee: 3.9%, up from 3.6%

The data for Southwest Florida now includes Monroe County, although it's usually classified as part of South Florida. The recent shift is due to a realignment and consolidation of the state's network of workforce development boards that operate under the CareerSource name.

In July, Monroe continued to have the lowest unemployment rate in the state – at 2.4%.

Hendry still had the highest.

Statewide, the unemployment rate stood at 3.8%.

While more of the region's employers seemed to take a bit of a hiatus on hiring earlier this year, it doesn't seem to be the case as much anymore, said Amy Hanna-Eckenrode, communications director for CareerSource Southwest Florida .

"There are more people working," she said. "Employers are starting to show that interest again in filling their talent banks."

Many businesses are still looking for workers in the region, especially in the construction industry, she said.

Recent job fairs held by CareerSource Southwest Florida in Punta Gorda and Fort Myers drew so much interest from employers there wasn't enough room to fit them all, she said.

She noted the event in Punta Gorda last week attracted more than 100 job candidates, as well.

"That's amazing. Compared to what we had been getting," Hanna-Eckenrode said.

In part, she said, it reflects demand by new residents looking for jobs.

In the six counties, including Monroe, the labor force grew to nearly 721,800 in July, up by 4,963 (+0.7%) over the year. There were 27,867 unemployed residents.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Construction continues to add jobs, helps keep unemployment low in SWFL