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

Unemployment edged up across Southwest Florida in June.

It's typical, with the usual downward shift to the slower season.

In four of five counties in the region, jobless rates rose by a few tenths of a percentage point over the year, according to a monthly report released Friday by FloridaCommerce.

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

• Charlotte: 3.9%, up from 3.5%
• Collier: 3.3%, up from 3.1%
• Glades: 4.6%, up from 4%
• Hendry: 5.6%, down from 5.8%
• Lee: 3.6%, up from 3.3%

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.

Although Hendry's unemployment improved, it still had the highest rate in the state.

Regionally, the unemployment rate stood at 3.5% in June, equal to the state's rate.

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The data for Southwest Florida included Monroe County for the first time, although it's usually viewed as part of South Florida. That's due to a realignment and consolidation of the state's network of workforce development boards that operate under the CareerSource name.

The goal of the restructuring is to maximize resources, to improve consistency and to increase efficiency, said Amy Hanna-Eckenrode, communications director for CareerSource Southwest Florida.

"We are very excited to have Monroe," she said. "We are just establishing two new offices, one in Key West and one in Tavernier, and our staff will cover the whole Keys."

Monroe had the lowest unemployment rate in the state in June – at 2.1% (compared to 2% a year ago).

In the six counties, the labor force grew to 719,790, up by 1,770 over the year. There were 25,182 unemployed residents.

"It just seems like more people are simply relocating to our area on a more permanent basis," Hanna-Eckenrode said. "There are snowbirds. There are vacationers, but the base seems to be increasing on a more permanent basis."

She added: "A lot of them are in the workforce."

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Collier's labor force increased by 1,801 over the year in June, but Lee's only grew by 53.

The Southwest Florida region is made up of three metros, essentially Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties. Combined, they added 11,300 jobs over the year.

The industries gaining the most jobs in those areas? Construction (+3,400); government (+2,200); leisure and hospitality (+1,800); trade, transportation, and utilities (+1,600); and education and health services (+1,300).

Only one sector lost jobs, financial activities (-100).

Collier added 5,100 jobs over the year, while Lee gained 5,500 and Charlotte netted 700.

The sectors creating the most jobs in each county? Leisure and hospitality in Collier (1,800), construction in Lee (+2,400), and government in Charlotte (+300).

Many businesses are still looking for workers in the region, especially in the construction industry, and trades such as plumbing or electrical services, Hanna-Eckenrode said.

CareerSource is hosting several hiring events in July and August. That includes one at its Immokalee center, on July 30, in partnership with Collier County government, the Collier Sheriff's Office, the Collier Clerk's Office, the Collier School District, and the City of Naples.

A Youth Career Day, for job exploration, is slated for July 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Fort Myers Housing Authority's offices off Renaissance Preserve Way in Fort Myers.

More information about these and other upcoming events can be found at: careersourcesouthwestflorida.com.