Florida Unemployment Rate Rises To 5.5% In May

By MICHAEL SASSO | The Tampa Tribune
Published: June 20, 2008

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TAMPA - Florida's unemployment rate surged in May to 5.5 percent, its highest rate since January 2003.

New data from the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation on Friday shows the ranks of the unemployed rose a half percentage point in May, up from 5 percent in April.

Florida's unemployment rate now matches the nationwide rate, AWI says. A year ago, Florida's unemployment rate stood at 3.9 percent.

Meanwhile, Florida's economy continued to lose jobs, shedding 74,700 from May 2007 through May.

Once again, declines in construction led the way. The construction industry lost 77,200 jobs year-over-year, although those losses were partly offset by gains in industries including health care and education.

Reporter Michael Sasso can be reached at (813) 259-7865 or msasso@tampatrib.com.