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Jobless Rate Zooms To 13-Year High

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By MICHAEL SASSO

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 20, 2008

TAMPA - Florida's unemployment rate hit 6.5 percent last month, the highest in 13 years.

New state data released Friday show Florida's unemployment rate jumped to 6.5 percent in August from 6.2 percent in July. A year ago, Florida's jobless rate was 4.2 percent, according to the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation.

The August unemployment rate was the highest since January 1995, when it also was 6.5 percent.

The state lost 99,100 nonagricultural jobs between August 2007 and last month, an employment growth rate of minus 1.2 percent. That lags the United States overall, which had a growth rate of minus 0.2 percent last month. The hard-hit construction industry led the way in Florida losses, shedding 76,400 jobs in the past year.

Locally, the unemployment rate in Hillsborough County last month was 6.7 percent, up from 6.5 percent in July and 4.3 percent in August 2007.

The rate in Pinellas County rose to 6.6 percent last month from 6.2 percent in July and 4.2 percent a year ago.

In Pasco County, the jobless rate was 7.9 percent in August, compared with 7.6 percent in July and 5.2 percent a year ago.
Government data show new applications for unemployment benefits rose unexpectedly last week because of the impact of Hurricane Gustav.

The Labor Department reported Thursday that nationwide initial jobless claims rose to a seasonally adjusted 455,000, up 10,000 from the prior week. Analysts had expected claims to fall to 440,000.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. Reporter Michael Sasso can be reached at (813) 259-7865 or msasso@tampatrib.com.

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