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. Please contact Jannet Walsh, Community Relations/Communications Manager at Workforce Connection, for additional information at 352-873-7939 ext. 1234 or e-mail jwalsh@clmworkforce.com.

Unemployment Rates Up in Counties, Region, State and Nation

Todays release of unemployment data for Citrus, Levy and Marion

Counties from the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation (AWI) indicated

increased unemployment rates in the three counties, region, state and nation for

January 2010. Part of the increase can be attributed to adjustments that are

made every March by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

and AWI using revised historical data.

Workforce Connections Region, including Citrus, Levy and Marion

Counties, posted a 15.1 percent unemployment rate, up one percent from last

month, the highest in a series since 1990, according to Rebecca Rust, AWI's

chief economist during todays conference call. The State of Floridas rate

inched up from 11.7 percent to 11.9 percent in January 2010, the same rate as of

May 1975 and highest in the recorded series. The nations current unemployment

rate is 10.6 percent for January 2010, up from 9.7 percent in December 2009. All

current unemployment rates for local, state and nation include statistical

revisions.

Marion County posted a 15.4 percent unemployment rate for January

2010, an increase of one percent, including benchmark revisions of .4 percent

and a 1 percent increase from December 2009. The Ocala Metropolitan

Statistical Area (MSA) is currently ranked second highest in Florida for

unemployment. The Ocala metro areas December 2009 nonagricultural

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employment was revised downward by just over 6,000 jobs primarily due

to changes in education/health services and construction.

Citrus County followed with a rate of 14.6 percent, an increase of .1

percent from the previous month. Levy County increased to 14.3 percent, an

increase of .9 percent from December 2009.

Rusty Skinner, Workforce Connection Chief Executive Officer, stated,

The biggest issue is the kick-up of .4 percent in Marion County from refinement

of statistics. The scattered unemployment in January is possibly due to seasonal

or holiday work and permanent drop of jobs, causing an increase of one

percentage point. In Marion County we had a slight expansion of the labor force,

but shrinking of employment. Total unemployment jumped more than 1,400, but

its hard to tell the precise reason of the change. This could be a result of the

Christmas hiring. We will be able better assess in March when February

statistics are available, he added.

On a positive note, the state has released federal funding for the Florida

Back to Work Program. In our region, this will result in approximately 200 new

people employed in the next few weeks, stated Skinner.

Workforce was Floridas first region to execute the program, using federal

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) for subsidized employment

with a pilot program for a Department of Children and Families Call Center hiring

76 temporary employees.

The number of individuals without jobs in Marion County increased from

19,357 to 20,783 from December to January. The number of unemployed

individuals increased from 7,652 to 8,316 in Citrus County and from 2,203 to

2,375 in Levy County.

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Effective March 2010, Workforce will utilize a more strategic approach to job

fairs. Instead of general job fairs that have been held the second Tuesday of the

month, Workforce is scheduling four job fairs or talent showcases over the next

six months that focus on specific industry sectors. The events focus on graduates

of Workforce-sponsored training programs, will be preceded by free employability

skills training and resume clinics in collaboration with Monster, an online

employment website, and Central Florida Community College.

Workforce also hosts employer spotlights for area employers that are

expanding. These customized recruitment events help connect employers with

qualified candidates for their specific industry and required job skills.

To get a full copy of the January Unemployment Data or to find out more

about upcoming job fairs 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.

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