Although Florida’s unemployment rate is below the national average, there are still concerns that the state can continue meet the needs of the labor market, especially in rural areas. According to the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Florida needs to produce 1.7 million new jobs in the next 10 years. With this task at hand, the Chamber’s Foundation is leading a mission to fill the unemployment gap to uphold the state’s economic development. In their 2019 report, A Study of Unemployment of Floridians with a Disability, the Chamber’s Foundation reports that “there are more than 2.9 million Floridians of typical working age who are not in the labor force. Of those, one out of every 4 of them have a disability. Incorporating those who are currently not in the labor force who want to work would have substantial economic benefits both to those individuals and to the state of Florida.”

employU is on a mission to provide opportunities to rural residents who face significant challenges, like lack of transportation, to entering the workforce. With our 21^st office opening in Lake City, we hope to not only play a crucial role in stimulating Columbia County’s overall economy, but to also have great impacts for local residents and businesses.

Columbia County was added to the employU service area last year, and now wit our new office in Lake City we are working to expand the services provided to this community. To celebrate the grand opening of this office, now located at 125 SW Midtown Place, Suite 105, Lake City, FL 32025, we hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on October 15, 2019. The Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce along with area residents and business leaders welcomed us to the community. We look forward to building a foundation of support for the community through establishing strong partnerships with local leaders and residents.