Lots of help wanted in Naples

The good news: Naples is the top place in the U.S. for job growth through 2017.

The bad news: Naples needs a lot more workers.

Forbes magazine recently published a report by Moody's Analytics that forecasted 4.6% job growth in Naples through 2017. The report says the projected jobs boom is the result of a surging influx of retirees who will fuel construction, retail and health care.

But a quick check of the latest employment reports shows this might be a bit of a stretch. That's because labor shortages already are holding back certain areas of the economy, including construction and health care.

In the Naples area, the labor force totals 158,376 people. Of those, 150,011 are already employed, according to the latest data from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

At 5.3%, the Naples area's unemployment rate is getting close to what economists consider full employment. That's when all people who are able and willing to work are employed while those who are unemployed are in transition from one job to another.

Already, 6,000 people in Naples have been added to payrolls over the last year through June, a 4.8% increase. The upshot: If your business depends on plentiful labor during the busy winter season, better start hiring now.