During the month of December Florida’s unemployment rate rose almost a half percent to the highest it has been since 2004. The 4.7 percent jobless rate is said to be a result of the housing crisis. As a result the construction industry has had to do away with more than 20,000 jobs in Florida since the beginning of 2007. With 6 of the state’s counties making it onto the list of the US cities with the highest foreclosure rates, this comes as no surprise.
The 3.3 percent decrease in construction jobs experienced made December the 10th consecutive month that employment in the industry was lower than the same month of the previous year. The last time this happened in Florida was 1992. Through out the country December marked an increase in unemployment, as the national average went from 4.7 percent to 5 percent. This was the largest one-month gain since October 2001.
Sic counties in Florida had jobless rates of 6 percent of higher. These counties were Hendry, Hernando, Flagler, St. Lucie, Charlotte, and Indian River. Although the housing market has played a large part in area unemployment, several of these areas were effected by normal seasonal issues in agricultural employment.
Although there is no telling when the housing crisis will finally let up, there will be several new opportunities coming soon for those looking for Florida jobs. For starters, after a year of advertising to South Floridians to visit there near by locations, despite having none, Kohl’s has announced that they will be opening their Boynton Beach location sometime in April. The discount retailer says that this moment there are no immediate plans for the creation of more stores in the area, but that this first location will create 150 new Florida jobs. At this time there are 23 Kohl’s in Florida and 958 locations nationwide. Those interested in working at Kohl’s newest location can either apply on their website, www.kohlscareers.com, or call 877-639-5645.
Also planning on creating new Florida jobs in the near future is Toronto based soft drink producer Cott Corp. Cott will be opening their US corporate headquarters in Tampa, bringing with them 100 new jobs. The company, which prides its self on being “green”, has went to great lengths to make their new 60,000 square foot HQ earth friendly with PVC and Chlorine free carpet and chair made from 30 percent post-consumer content among other things. Governor Charlie Crist says that Cott is “serving as a model for businesses around the state.” He went on to say that the company would be assisting in “driving Florida’s economy with innovative business development and excellent products while preserving our natural resources by implementing green initiatives.
