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State Unemployment Rate Ties Record High
03/10/10 - 06:12 PM
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The unemployment office is packed after a peak in Florida’s jobless rates. The state released new numbers that reach beyond the national average of 9.7%.

“I think it just speaks to how severe that this recession truly is, that there’s a lot of people out of work, a lot of people struggling,” said Communications Director for the Gulf Coast Workforce Center, Maria Goodwin.

According to the Agency for Workforce Innovation, Florida’s January Unemployment Rate sits at 11.9%. That’s an increase from December and nearly 1 million jobs lost.

This region that includes Bay, Gulf and Franklin counties reflects the state’s trend. 11.9% here, really means about $12,000 people.

Denise Strausbaugh is one of them.

“I never thought it would get like this. I never thought I would have problems paying bills, that I never had problems paying before,” said Strausbaugh.

She was laid off after 12 years in the banking industry. A year ago she was counting money and now, she’s clicking through online job ads.

“It’s hard, a lot of people are not hiring, or they say you’re overqualified, you’re competing with 100-200 people every time you apply for a job, so it’s hard,” said Strausbaugh.

It’s a tough time, and that’s reflected in the state’s top industries, like construction, manufacturing, and tourism. In fact, it’s the highest hike in unemployment since 1975. That means these are record numbers, but the Workforce Center thinks it’s time for change.

“We’re anticipating next month’s numbers to come down some, because we have seen more job openings, and we have been more successful in getting people jobs,” said Goodwin.

Panama City may be a good place to be. It gained 200 jobs.

“We’re one of the only areas in the entire state that has gained jobs over the year,” said Goodwin.

With thousands in need there’s heavy competition. The Workforce Center says, for every 1 job on average about 6 people are applying.

“It can be very discouraging, and it’s hard, and just, keep us in your prayers,” said Strausbaugh.

Nearly 4000 people cycled through the local unemployment office in January and many of the unemployed, like Strausbaugh, have been able to find temporary work. Despite high unemployment rates, there’s high hope tor a long-term solution.

Today, Governor Crist signed an unemployment bill into law. It will spare businesses a tax increase that was previously scheduled for April. That can help create jobs, but it doesn’t change things for good. It’s only a delay.