The most recent unemployment data from the State of Florida indicated that 64 of the 67 Florida counties reported increases in the unemployment rate in January 2008. The Citrus, Levy and Marion County Workforce Region had an unemployment increase from 5.5% to 5.9% or 12,516 unemployed residents. Slightly worse than Marion was Citrus County at 6.3 %, then Marion County at 5.8% and Levy County at 5.1%.
 
Five hundred net jobs have been lost in the Ocala Metropolitan Statistical Area from January 2007 to January 2008. The highest job loss has been in the category of Natural Resources, Mining and Construction (1200 jobs lost); followed by Professional and Business Services (400 jobs lost); and Manufacturing (300 jobs lost). Areas that have shown job growth through the year are wholesale trade; transportation, warehousing and utilities; education and health services; leisure and hospitality; other services; and government.
 

 
To review information on the state or local unemployment picture, go to www.labormarketinfo.com