INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The number of unemployed residents in Indian River County jumped in July to 14.9 percent from 14.2 percent the month before, placing the county fourth in the state for out of work residents, according to figures released by the Agency for Workforce Innovation.
The jump represented an increase from 8,839 unemployed in the county in June to 9,331 in July out of a potential workforce of 62,583. In July of last year unemployment in Indian River County stood at 14.7 percent. Overall in the state, unemployment rose slightly in July to 11.5 percent, a 0.1 percent increase from the month before.
Hendry County (19.7 percent) had the highest unemployment rate in Florida in July followed by Flagler County (15.6 percent), St. Lucie County (15.2 percent), Indian River County (14.9 percent) and Okeechobee County (14.6 percent). Most of those counties have seasonal declines in agriculture and related industries. There are 49 Florida counties with double-digit unemployment rates in July, up from 46 the previous month.
Walton County has the state’s lowest unemployment rate (7.5 percent), followed by Liberty (7.6 percent); Monroe and Okaloosa counties (7.9 percent each), Lafayette County (8.2 percent); and Franklin County (8.4 percent). Those counties have high proportions of government employment and seasonal increases in tourism.
County Commissioner Peter O’Bryan has said getting Indian River County residents back to work is one of his top priorities. O’Bryan is up for re-election after winning the primary. He faces challengers in the November general election.
“I hope to get back in there, creating jobs and getting our economy going,” he said.
The news isn’t all bleak. The County Commissioners recently voted to provide nearly $400,000 in employment grants to a pair of companies, they hope will be doing business in the county.
AlgaGen LLC, a biotech company currently based on Oslo Road by I-95, and an unnamed software development firm which is considering starting up at an industrial park in Sebastian, each received unanimous votes of approval to receive the grants.
AlgaGen qualified for $36,000 in grant funding for bringing in six jobs that will pay at least the county’s median salary. The company is considering moving to the Historic Archie Smith Fish House in Sebastian and hiring 10 people. Of those employees, six would earn at least the county’s median salary of $35,880.
The yet-to-be-named software company is seeking to buy a company specializing in network monitoring software from a North Carolina-based business.
The new software company is considering setting up operations in Indian River County, among other options, and is expecting to create 57 jobs – 55 of which would qualify for $363,000 in county grant dollars. Those jobs would be created over a three-year period.
