The Naples-Marco Island metro area had the fastest year-over-year manufacturing job growth among all state metros in April, according to data from the Florida Department of Commerce. The Naples area added 200 jobs each in manufacturing, construction, trade, transportation and utilities and education and health services. The Cape Coral-Fort Myers metro’s education and health services sector gained 1,700 jobs. Despite sector gains, overall private sector employment declined in Southwest Florida, down 2,200 jobs in the Naples area and 1,400 jobs in Cape Coral-Fort Myers. Labor force participation also dropped in both areas. Unemployment in April rose to 3.5% in Naples and 3.7% in Cape Coral-Fort Myers.
