Leading Question

Job openings are popping up in retail, leisure and hospitality, technology and nonprofit sectors. Hiring in the region, however, continues to lag behind other Florida markets, such as Jacksonville, Miami and Tampa Bay, says Judy Leppla, regional director of Florida for staffing firm Manpower Inc. Following are examples of four local organizations that are adding staff in the coming year.

Community CooperativeMinistries, Fort Myers
This not-for-profit organization plans to add three to four full-time workers and about 12 short-term, project workers next year. Full-time jobs range from hourly positions in its Hearts and Hands Montessori Preschool to development director and chief financial officer positions, with salaried positions ranging from $30,000 to $60,000. Funding from the United Way and Southwest Florida Community Foundation has provided seed money for some of the positions.

“As the community need is rising because other folks are getting laid off and losing businesses, the need for services in the not-for-profit sector is rising,” CEO Sarah Owen says.