The Cape Coral–Fort Myers metro area’s education and health services sector added 2,000 jobs over the year in July, while the Naples–Marco Island area added 900 jobs, according to data from the Florida Department of Commerce. The Cape Coral–Fort Myers private sector employment rose by 1,600 jobs, or 0.6%, and Naples–Marco Island’s employment increased by 1,200 jobs, or 0.8%. The Cape Coral–Fort Myers labor force grew by 940, or 0.3%, over the year, while Naples–Marco Island’s declined by 397, or 0.2%. Unemployment was 4.5% in Cape Coral–Fort Myers and 4.3% in Naples–Marco Island. Florida’s July unemployment rate was 3.7%, remaining lower than the national rate for 57 straight months.
