Gov. Scott: Florida Continues to Lead Nation’s Largest States in Job Growth

Governor Rick Scott today announced that Florida added jobs at a faster rate than the 10 largest states in the nation over the last year. Florida had the second-fastest annual private-sector job growth rate out of all the states in the nation, behind Utah. For 62 consecutive months, Florida’s private-sector job growth rate, which is 3 percent, has outpaced the nation’s rate, which is 1.8 percent. Since December 2010, Florida businesses have created 1,377,100 private-sector jobs.
Governor Scott said, “I am proud to announce today that Florida led the nation’s largest states in job creation over the past year. We have spent the past six and a half years working to make it easier for businesses to grow in our state, including recently establishing the new $85 million Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to attract more companies to Florida. It is clear that this work has helped Florida’s economy outperform our top competitors and create new opportunities for our families. I took this message on an economic development mission this week, and met with Connecticut and New York business leaders to tell them why they should relocate their operations to Florida. We will continue to do all we can to send a message across the country that Florida is the best place for job creators and families to succeed.”
In the last year, Florida businesses created more jobs in the professional and business services industry, with 52,900 new jobs, and more jobs in the trade, transportation and utilities industry, with 30,900 new jobs, than any other state. The state also had the second-highest over-the-year job gains among all states in both the construction and the manufacturing industries.
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Cissy Proctor said, “Florida’s astounding job growth across multiple industries proves that our business-friendly focus is working. We have fostered an environment that sets hardworking Floridians up for success. Our state continues to beat the nation so that Florida families can flourish.”