Economic Development in Charlotte County: Training Grows as Florida Adds Jobs

October 19th, 2026

Florida’s unemployment rate fell for the fourth straight month in September. The industries adding jobs line up closely with the ones driving economic development in Charlotte County: aviation, advanced manufacturing and logistics.

Economic development Charlotte County

FloridaCommerce reported a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 4.4% for September. That was down from 4.5% in August and 4.8% in May. Florida’s labor force grew by 21,000 people over the year, reaching 11.1 million.

Where Florida added jobs

Over the past 12 months, Florida added:

• 8,300 jobs in transportation and utilities
• 3,300 jobs in construction
• 2,100 jobs in manufacturing

These are statewide figures, not Charlotte County totals. Still, they point to sectors where technical skills are in demand and where local training investments are growing. Statewide, education and health services added the most jobs over the year, while financial activities, government and information declined.

For employers weighing a location, the question isn’t only how many people are working. It’s whether the right skills are available, or can be developed, close to where the work happens. Charlotte County is answering that question with two training facilities at Punta Gorda Airport.

Aviation maintenance training at Punta Gorda Airport

Charlotte Technical College opened its Aviation Training Facility in March 2026, near the PGD Air Center in the airport’s aviation expansion area. The 19,420-square-foot building includes a 10,000-square-foot hangar, classrooms and specialized labs.

Students train hands-on for careers as Aviation Maintenance General Technicians and Aviation Powerplant Maintenance Technicians. They learn in an airport setting, alongside the aviation businesses that need those skills.

The project was a partnership among Charlotte County Public Schools, Charlotte Technical College, the Charlotte County Airport Authority and community partners.

Advanced manufacturing center underway

Charlotte County Public Schools broke ground in June 2026 on the Southwest Florida Advanced Manufacturing Training Center. The center is an extension of Charlotte Technical College inside Enterprise Charlotte Airport Park.

A $1.75 million state appropriation funded the first phase. The district later secured additional state funding for a welding training facility at the center. The center will serve high school students and adult learners interested in aerospace, advanced manufacturing and related fields. It will offer hands-on instruction, industry-recognized credentials and direct connections to employers.

Construction is scheduled for completion before the 2027–28 school year.

What it means for employers and site selectors

Training works best when employers help shape it. Companies that share their job requirements, preferred credentials and hiring plans help education partners build programs that match real openings. Internships, job shadows and guest instruction can also introduce students to careers they might not otherwise see.

For businesses considering a relocation or expansion, these facilities give Charlotte County a growing base of technical training in its target industries. That base sits next to an airport with room to grow.

The Charlotte County Economic Development Office helps companies and site selectors review workforce data, connect with training partners and explore available sites. Those conversations can start early, well before a final location decision. Visit cleared4takeoff.com to learn more.

FAQs

What was Florida’s unemployment rate in September 2026?

Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.4%, down from 4.5% in August. It was the fourth consecutive monthly decline.

What technical training is available near Punta Gorda Airport?

Charlotte Technical College’s Aviation Training Facility offers aviation maintenance training. The Southwest Florida Advanced Manufacturing Training Center, now under construction in Enterprise Charlotte Airport Park, will add advanced manufacturing and welding instruction.

Sources

1. FloridaCommerce, Monthly Data Releases
2. WUSF / News Service of Florida, Florida’s unemployment rate dips for the fourth consecutive month
3. Charlotte County Public Schools, Opening of Aviation Training Facility
4. Charlotte County Public Schools, Groundbreaking for Southwest Florida Advanced Manufacturing Training Center
5. Charlotte County Public Schools, Full Funding for 2026 Legislative Priorities