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Unemployment In Florida Jumps In July, Tops U.S. Average

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By MICHAEL SASSO

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 15, 2008

TAMPA - Florida's unemployment rate increased in July to 6.1 percent, a level not seen in the state since January 1995.

Once again, job losses in construction contributed most to the high unemployment rate, but significant numbers of jobs also were lost in manufacturing, employment services, automotive sales and other industries.

Florida's unemployment rate rose 0.6 percentage points in July, with a June rate of 5.5 percent. July's 6.1-percent unemployment rate is up 2 percentage points from the July 2007 rate of 4.1 percent, according to figures out today from the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation.

By comparison, the overall U.S. unemployment rate was 5.7 percent in July.

Hillsborough County's unemployment rose to 6.5 percent in July, up from 5.8 percent in June and 4.3 percent a year ago. Pinellas County's rate rose to 6.2 percent in July, up from 5.5 percent in June and 4.2 percent in July 2007. In Pasco County, the unemployment rate was 7.5 percent in July, up from 6.8 percent in June and 5.2 percent in July 2007.

Florida shed 96,800 jobs in the year that ended with July. The hard-hit construction industry lost 13.4 percent of its jobs in that period, shedding 79,200.

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

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