Unemployment in the Sarasota-Manatee region fell back down to its October level in December, as the state economy continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The area’s unemployment rate was 4.7% in the last month of 2020, down a few percentage points from 5.1% in November. The rate was also 4.7% for both Sarasota and Manatee counties individually; Manatee’s rate was 5% in November and Sarasota’s was 4.8%.
Combined, the region had 17,054 people seeking work in December. Nonagricultural employment in the region was 307,600, a decrease of 11,400 jobs compared to December 2019. Back then, the local unemployment rate was 2.6%.
Jen Zak, communications director for workforce and educational services provider CareerSource Suncoast, said that her organization has job opportunities for people seeking work, including funding from a national emergency grant that allows them to pay for someone to work for four months at one of several humanitarian organizations.
Holiday food resources available in the Suncoast (Source: KAUZ) By ABC7 Staff | December 18, 2020 at 11:14 AM EST - Updated December 23 at 9:29 AM
SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - The holidays can be a financially difficult time for all and you donât need to bear the burden alone. There are multiple resources across the Suncoast that can help you with food for the holidays.
MANATEE COUNTY: Meals on Wheels of Manatee County has a list of resources and food banks on their website. https://mealsonwheelsplus.org/ Animals need food too! Animal Services in Manatee County is offering free pet food to help residents keep their dogs & cats in their homes. Call 941-742-5933 to set up a pickup time .
$59,583 from
Edward Henry Lyman Charitable Fund of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, in support of the maintenance, repair and general costs of the Food Bank s fleet of vehicles; $73,000 from
Share Our Strength, in support of the sackpack and school pantry programs in DeSoto County; and $105,000 from
The Stone Foundation, in support of the Mobile Farm Market, backpack and veterans’ assistance programs.
… Wawa Foundation has awarded a $3,000 grant to
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast for its Decisions to Win program in Charlotte, Collier, Lee, Manatee and Sarasota counties.
The goal of the DTW one-to-one mentoring initiative is to help at-risk high school students remain in school, earn promotion to the next grade level and graduate from high school. DTW serves students in grades 10 through 12.