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Unemployment rises in Florida, Palm Beach County

By Palm Beach Business.com

DELRAY BEACH — Florida’s unemployment rate bounced higher in July as the state lost jobs, the Department of Economic Opportunity reported Friday. Unemployment rates for Palm Beach and Broward counties also moved higher, according to the same report.

Florida’s rate moved to a seasonally adjusted 8.8 percent from 8.6 percent in June. Despite the bump, the rate remains substantially lower than the 10.6 percent DEO recorded for July 2011.

The actual number of Floridians out of work: 816,000, compared with 797,000 in June and 982,000 a year earlier.

DEO reported that the state lost 3,300 jobs in July.

In Palm Beach County, the jobless rate jumped to 9.8 percent from 9.2 percent in June but well below the 11.5 percent reported in July 2011. County statistics are not adjusted for seasonal factors that typically affect the job market.

“Area employment is traditionally slower in the summer months and this seasonal trend is reflected in the July results,” Workforce Alliance CEO Steve Craig said. Workforce Alliance administers the state’s jobs programs in Palm Beach County. “However, there is some good news — the county led the state in the number of new construction jobs, plus we gained 3,900 jobs overall and added 3,500 job openings compared to last year.”

In Broward County, the jobless rate moved to 8.1 percent in July from 7.8 percent a month earlier; a year ago the Broward rate sat at 9.7 percent.

Statewide, professional and business services added 41,600 jobs during the 12 months through July; construction shed 16,900 jobs during that same period.

In Palm Beach County, professional and business services added 3,700 jobs in the 12 months through July, while leisure and hospitality lost 6,800 jobs in that time.