Downtown Sarasota sees its first Black-owned business
Unemployment & local businesses By ABC7 Staff | March 17, 2021 at 2:07 AM EDT - Updated March 17 at 6:04 AM
SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Despite the leisure and hospitality industry still struggling during the coronavirus pandemic, Florida’s unemployment rate continues to improve as vaccinations increase and people return to the workforce.
The state Department of Economic Opportunity reported Monday that Florida’s unemployment rate decreased to 4.8% in January, down 0.3 percentage points from a revised December rate.
Manatee County had a 4.4% unemployment rate, while Sarasota County came in at 4.3%, But for some this year in Sarasota County, it has been a golden opportunity. Especially for Newtown native and barber Dennis Ford, also known as Hootie, keeps his customers happy, one fade at a time. Ford opened up Mankind Barber Lounge seven months ago, making him the owner of the first Black-owned business in downtown Saraso