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Greetings!
Your Workforce Connection board recently met in Lecanto and heard a presentation from Citrus County Administrator Brad Thorpe about plans to expand Port Citrus. We feel the project offers a lot of long term potential to grow industry in our whole area by offering transport services to industry in Citrus, Levy and Marion counties and beyond.
Port Citrus, located along the barge canal north of Crystal River, was added as Florida's 15th port earlier this year and last month, the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Council allocated $50,000 for a feasibility study, contingent on a match from Citrus County.
In the very near future, Workforce Connection's executive committee will consider the board's unanimous recommendation to help pay for that study out of our economic development fund. Similar support from the fund will be earmarked for projects in Levy and Marion counties.
Key to our interest in supporting the Port Citrus feasibility study is the need to, as Brad put it, "diversify the local economy and create new jobs." Estimates of up to 400 jobs with above-average wages would be created in the first five years of a public, lease-holder port.
Of course, as Brad pointed out, there's no one-size port that fits all and no one thinks Port Citrus will compete with deep water ports such as Port Everglades and Port Tampa. But along the M-10 Maritime Highway, stretching along the Gulf from Florida to Texas, there is a need for a hub port that can transfer cargo to and from deeper ports.
Simply put, it's important for us to be part of that system.
Rusty Skinner, CEO
Workforce Connection |
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Spotlight on Employer Success
Hollinswood Ranch: Working Hard to Get it Right
The Hollins family and Hollinswood Ranch have been a part of Citrus County since 1942. The ranch's cattle, timber and mining operations have provided generations of good jobs for the community.
When Hollinswood President Dixie Hollins needed an executive assistant, he originally culled through 200 resumes, and a year later had to start all over. This time, he turned to Workforce Connection.
"I was very impressed by the professionalism (and) time Workforce dedicated to this," Hollins said. "I ended up with someone who is a great fit."
His wife, Robyn Hollins, said she was amazed to discover the employer services are provided at no charge.
"I would be happy to pay," she said. "Workforce was a lifesaver for us and a time saver and a frustration saver."
Read the Success Story to learn why the Hollinses won't hesitate to pick up the phone and call on Workforce again.
Pictured: Hollinswood Ranch President Dixie Hollins and his executive assistant, Lisa McKeever. |
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Youth Build: Rising to New Heights
Walls up on second Phoenix Rising project
When a house is built with love and good intentions, it can't help but be a happy home. For 19-year-old Samantha Duncan, one of 20 young adults participating in the second Phoenix Rising Youth Build, the project provides an opportunity to "be helpful to the community and better myself in  a job and life skills."
Samantha is currently working on her high school diploma and plans to enroll in college to become a medial assistant.
Through Phoenix Rising, disadvantaged older youth obtain academic and construction skills, increase their self-esteem, and get a new perspective on life. The project also helps the community and provides a home for deserving homeowners.
For Deborah Daniels and her son, Michael -- who have put in more than 300 hours sweat equity helping build a home for another deserving family -- the project is nothing short of "amazing."
"It gives me faith in the human race again, faith that things will be better," Daniels said following the wall-raising ceremony on Oct. 4 for what will become her home.
The project was spearheaded by the Ocala Police Department and Chief Sam Williams in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Marion County, Workforce Connection, the City of Ocala, Henkels & McCoy and myriad other community partners. The first was completed in June and construction on a third begins in January.
Kathleen Woodring, Workforce's chief operating officer, noted that participation in the successful project is one way Workforce Connection collaborates with community partners to leverage resources in order to boost the economy and improve quality of life.
Workforce Connection supports Phoenix Rising by making employment and training components of the project a reality with funding from the US Department of Labor earmarked for training stipends and staff.
Follow the highlighted links to see more: Workforce Connection on YouTube, Star-Banner Photo Gallery, and Henkels & McCoy
Pictured above: Kathleen Woodring, COO of Workforce Connection, and Samantha Duncan, member of the Phoenix Rising Youth Build crew. |
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Grand Opening for Chiefland Center
Save the Date: Friday, November 4
Workforce Connection has hit the road to better serve employers and job seekers in Levy County. The "one-stop" resource center has moved from Bronson to 109 NW Third Ave., in Chiefland. The refurbished, 4,500-square foot center provides all services under one roof and features a computer lab, resource room and community meeting space.
A Grand Opening will take place Friday, Nov. 4 from 9-10 a.m. The program includes a flag raising ceremony (flag donated by one of Workforce's veterans representatives), tours of the facility and new Mobile Resource Unit and information about programs and services.
Click here for map and driving directions. |
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About Us
 Mission: Workforce Connection brings together citizens, employers and educational providers to develop programs to support high-quality education/training and employment services to meet regional workforce needs.
The regional workforce board sets policy and directs expenditures of more than $6 million in funds that underwrite services provided through the Workforce Connection offices.
Workforce Connection is the local, business-led organization that plans and coordinates quality employment and training services for businesses and individual career seekers in Citrus, Levy and Marion counties.
Each year, approximately 1,500 businesses and more than 36,000 career seekers receive services through the Workforce Connection. Services include professional and technical recruitment, training, targeted talent marketplaces (job fairs) and financial incentives.
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Employment Update
The unemployment rate for Workforce Connection's three-county region was 12.1 percent for September, down 1.4 percent over the year, according to data released Oct. 21 by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. Out of a labor force of 210,375, there were 185,005 employed, up 1,193, and 25,371 unemployed, a jobless drop of 574.
Total nonagricultural employment in the Marion County/Ocala Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) was up 700 jobs over the year. Significantly, Ocala's growth rate in education and health services, financial and other services exceeded the state's growth rate. That's the first time the Ocala Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) has experienced positive job growth since June 2007.
Read complete story
See latest Local and State reports |
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Submit Online Job Order
Let Workforce Connection help you with your workforce needs. Use the link to fill out our Online Job Order Form
You may also post jobs in the Employ Florida Marketplace (EFM). The state's premier job bank allows you to post job openings, review resumes and contact candidates directly.
For details about our employer services, offered at no charge, contact the Business Development Team at 352-873-7955, 800-746-9950 or send us an email |
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Energize the Economy
If this economy has taken a bite out of your bottom line, it's time to learn how to bite back at the Elephant Eaters of Ocala/Marion's "Energizing the Economy" seminar on Wednesday, Nov. 2 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Church @ the Springs. There is no charge to attend. Gain access to business resources that will help move your business forward with presentations from Brenda Chrisman, Workforce Connection's senior vice president of business development, as well as representatives from the Ocala/Marion County Economic Development Corporation, Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Ocala/Marion Chamber of Commerce, College of Central Florida and the Community Foundation to help you reinvent, manage and grow your business. |
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Minimum Wage Rises
Florida Minimum Wage will increase from $7.31 an hour to $7.67 beginning Jan. 1, 2012. The minimum wage applies to all employees in the state who are covered by the federal minimum wage.
Employers of "tipped employees" may count tips actually received as wages however, the employer must also pay "tipped employees" a direct wage. The direct hourly wage for tipped employees is expected to increase to $4.65 on Jan.1, 2012. |
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Power of One series:
Business Plans/Finance
Learn how to develop a business plan and explore financing options at the November Power of One program Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 11:30 a.m. at the Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce, 310 SE Third St., Ocala. There is no charge to attend. The program will be presented by Dr. Phil Geist of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The Power of One series is sponsored by the Chamber in partnership with Workforce Connection. To RSVP, call the chamber at 352-629-8051 or register online. |
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