EVOLVE Business and Professional Magazine August 2017 | Page 28

REGIONAL GROWTH ON THE RISE
D
by Robin King
uring what we nowadays call “the Great Recession,”
household wealth in our region suffered tremendously –
families’ net worth dropped 18%. We have come a long
way since then, and even though families are still recuperating
their wealth, drive around the County and look at what’s
happening on the streets: new construction, busy restaurants,
shoppers carrying bags. The economic engine is rumbling and the
region has a very positive outlook. And achieving that outlook
requires understanding our current situation and preparing our
workforce for the opportunities ahead.
Let’s start by looking at our current situation. Based on
Florida’s Department of Economic Opportunity’s employment
report for the month of May 2017, our unemployment rate is
approximately 4.3%. This represents 12,579 unemployed residents,
and presents evidence that our labor force has gained employment
consistently over the last five years.
| 28 | EVOLVE BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL MAGAZINE