Southwest Florida's job market remains healthy, despite Hurricane Ian.

The region's unemployment rate fell to 2.7% in December.

That compared to 3.3% in November – and 2.6% a year ago.

The latest data, released Friday by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, shows total employment rose by 3.7% over the year in the three largest metro areas, made up of Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties.

The job count in the three counties grew by 18,900.

These five industries added the most jobs over the year:

• Education and health services (+6,200)

• Construction (+3,700)

• Trade, transportation and utilities (+3,000)

• Government (+2,000)

• Financial activities (+1,700)

The only industry losing jobs: Leisure and hospitality, or tourism (-500).

Earlier:New year offers new job opportunities in SWFL

More:Hurricane Ian: Ritz-Carlton latest resort to announce hundreds of layoffs in Southwest Florida

While Ian has taken a toll on tourism, the industry still employs 81,700 in the three metros – even with myriad storm-damaged coastal hotels and resorts still closed, as they repair, rebuild or rethink their future.

Tourism industry rebuilds

Although Lee suffered the most damage, its tourism industry gained 600 jobs over the year. Collier's lost 1,400 – with a few of its larger waterfront resorts in repair mode, including the Ritz-Carlton, Naples, and the LaPlaya.

The Ritz doesn't expect to reopen until mid-2023.

The LaPlaya plans a phased reopening starting in March.

"We are currently undergoing various restoration efforts to return LaPlaya back to its grandeur," said Alexandria Hurley, a resort spokeswoman, in an email.

In December, total employment grew to 305,700 in Lee County, hitting an all-time high, despite Ian. The county added 12,800 jobs over the year – gaining 2,600 in the private sector since Ian made landfall. No industries lost jobs.

In Collier, employers added 3,700 jobs over the year. Only the tourism industry lost jobs.

After reviewing the latest jobs report for the region, Amy Hanna-Eckenrode, communications manager for CareerSource Southwest Florida, described it as a breath of fresh air in challenging times.

"It has been a pleasant surprise to see the job numbers doing so well and to see them increasing. To actually see it on paper," she said.

CareerSource Southwest Florida matches job seekers with employers in the region – and there are still more jobs than job seekers.

Businesses are bouncing back

In the aftermath of Ian, it has been both refreshing and inspiring to see so many businesses getting back on their feet and moving forward again, Hanna-Eckenrode said.

"We are getting a lot of help at the state and federal level financially, and I think the businesses and the people are starting to feel that," she said. "That sense of encouragement, and a little bit of lightness about them."

The number of jobs added in education and health services is particularly encouraging, chipping away at the need for everything from teachers to nurses, to catch up and keep up with Southwest Florida's rapid population growth, and to replace retiring Baby Boomers, Hanna-Eckenrode said.

"A lot of the health care facilities, they have really been putting forth an effort with hiring events, recruitment events, with raising wages, with incentives. I'm hoping this is a sign that it's paying off for them," she said.

In Southwest Florida, employers are hiring across industries. Not only are jobs returning, but businesses continue to sprout – and expand – creating new jobs, as they did before Ian hit in September.

In Collier County, CareerSource Southwest Florida will hold its next job fair on Jan. 24 at its Naples Center, off Horseshoe Drive, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants include major employers, such as Arthrex and Collier County Public Schools, as well as a handful of smaller ones.

"We've just been so anxious for this day to arrive. To where we can shed our skin from Ian and say that's behind us. It's time to move forward and I think we're doing that," Hanna-Eckenrode said.

New opportunities arise

Besides the usual jobs, there are new opportunities created by Ian.

That includes temporary jobs in humanitarian, cleanup and restoration work that are still available through a National Dislocated Worker Grant program in Southwest Florida.

CareerSource Southwest Florida received the grant to help speed recovery from the catastrophic storm. The government-funded jobs could last for a year or possibly longer, designed to help workers who've permanently or temporarily lost their jobs to Ian.

Only non-profit organizations and government agencies can take advantage of the grant program, which covers 100% of the salary for job seekers impacted by Ian.

Nearly 60 employers have signed up to participate in the program, with dozens of workers hired since its launch in October.

There are still 280 jobs available for those who can qualify and want to take advantage of the program, including a few positions at CareerSource, Hanna-Eckenrode said.

"We still need people," she said.

In December, there were 18,019 unemployed residents in Southwest Florida, out of a labor force of 666,204.

The labor force grew by 22,614 over the year, up 3.5%.

The region's jobless rate came in slightly higher than the state's in December.

Statewide, unemployment stood at 2.2%, a half a percentage point lower.

Regionally, Collier had the lowest unemployment rate – at 2.2%. It was followed by Glades (2.3%), Lee (2.9%), Charlotte (3%), and Hendry (3.2%).

Economists consider an unemployment rate of 4% to 5% full employment, as there are always workers between jobs and businesses in flux.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Southwest Florida's job market is bouncing back from Hurricane Ian