Governor Rick Scott announced that Florida businesses have created 1,615,500 jobs since December 2010 with 20,000 private-sector jobs being added in August. Over the past year, 217,600 new private-sector jobs were created in Florida, and the state’s annual job growth rate has outpaced the nation for 76 of the past 77 months. [Read more…] about Gov. Scott: More than 1.6 Million Jobs Added Since December 2010
Florida Businesses
New Website Will Help Florida Businesses Prepare for Natural Disasters
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) today announced the launch of a new website, FloridaDisaster.biz, to help Florida businesses prepare for and recover from hurricanes and other disasters. By providing critical information before, during and after a disaster, the website will help businesses recover and get Floridians back to work following emergencies.
Features of the new website include:
- A disaster planning toolkit to help businesses prepare for hurricanes and other disasters;
- Critical disaster updates from the State Emergency Operations Center to keep businesses informed during emergencies; and
- A Business Damage Assessment Survey to help businesses get back up and running after an emergency.
[Read more…] about New Website Will Help Florida Businesses Prepare for Natural Disasters
Gov. Scott: Florida Businesses Created More Than 25,000 Private-Sector Jobs in February
Governor Rick Scott announced that Florida businesses created more than 25,000 private-sector jobs in February. Since December 2010, Florida businesses have created nearly 1.5 million jobs. Florida’s annual job growth rate of 2.2 percent continues to exceed the nation’s rate of 1.8 percent. Florida’s annual job growth rate has exceeded the nation’s rate for 70 of the past 71 months. The only month that Florida did not exceed the nation was a result of Hurricane Irma. Governor Scott made the announcement at the groundbreaking ceremony for a new development project in downtown Ocala, which will include a new Hilton Garden Inn, apartment complex and restaurants. This project will also create more than 280 jobs for Ocala families and help bring more visitors to Central Florida.
Governor Scott said, “I am proud to announce that Florida businesses created more than 25,000 new jobs last month, which means thousands of more opportunities are available for Floridians. Earlier this month, we concluded the 2018 legislative session by securing major initiatives that will help ensure this economic growth continues in Florida for years to come. This includes cutting taxes by nearly $550 million and ensuring Floridians have the opportunity to make it harder for politicians to raise taxes with a constitutional amendment on the November ballot. I am proud of the work we have done to encourage job growth, and we will not stop working until Florida is the best place in the nation to succeed.”
As of February, Florida’s unemployment rate remains low at 3.9 percent, a drop of 6.9 percentage points since December 2010. This drop is faster than the national decline of 5.2 percentage points. In the last year, 136,000 people entered Florida’s labor force, a growth of 1.4 percent, which is greater than the national labor force growth rate of 1.2 percent, and shows more Floridians are looking for and finding jobs across the state.
Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “We are proud that businesses are continuing to create jobs in Florida, and that our state’s unemployment rate remains low at 3.9 percent. The nearly 1.5 million jobs created under Governor Scott’s leadership demonstrate that the Sunshine State is the best place to live the American Dream.”
Other positive economic indicators include:
- Private-sector industries gaining the most jobs over-the-year were:
- Professional and business services with 46,900 new jobs;
- Construction with 31,700 new jobs;
- Leisure and hospitality with 25,600 new jobs;
- Education and health services with 18,500 new jobs; and
- Financial activities with 15,300 new jobs.
- Florida job postings showed 250,145 openings in February 2018.
To view the February 2018 employment data, click here.
Gov. Scott: Florida Businesses Created More Than 10,000 Private-Sector Jobs in January
Governor Rick Scott today announced that Florida businesses created more than 10,000 private-sector jobs in January. Since December 2010, Florida businesses have created nearly 1.5 million jobs, which includes more than 144,000 in the last year. Florida’s annual job growth rate of 1.9 percent continues to exceed the national rate of 1.7 percent. Florida’s annual job growth rate has exceeded the nation for 69 of the past 70 months. The only month that Florida did not exceed the nation was a result of Hurricane Irma. Jobs numbers for February 2018 will be announced on March 23rd.
Governor Scott said, “I am proud to announce that Florida businesses kicked off 2018 by creating more than 10,000 new jobs for families across the state in January. Each new job means a family is able to provide for themselves and continue to succeed in our state. That is why we have worked nonstop to make Florida more business friendly by reducing burdensome regulations and cutting taxes. This includes putting a constitutional amendment on the 2018 ballot that will make it harder for politicians to raise taxes on future generations so our progress cannot be undone. We look forward to seeing the many more opportunities that will be created throughout the year as more job creators choose to grow in Florida.”
As of January, Florida’s unemployment rate is at 3.9 percent, a drop of 6.9 percentage points since December 2010. This drop is faster than the national decline of 5.2 percentage points. In the last year, 137,000 people entered Florida’s labor force, a growth of 1.4 percent, nearly one and a half times the national labor force growth rate of only 0.9 percent, which means more Floridians are choosing to look for a job across the state.
Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “Florida businesses have created more than 10,000 jobs in January alone thanks to Governor Scott’s commitment to lowering taxes and business-friendly policies, which allow companies to grow and prosper in our state. I am proud of the Sunshine State’s flourishing economy, making our home the greatest place to live, work, play and raise a family.”
Other positive economic indicators include:
- Private-sector industries gaining the most jobs over-the-year were:
- Professional and business services with 36,000 new jobs;
- Leisure and hospitality with 32,400 new jobs;
- Construction with 28,600 new jobs;
- Education and health services with 17,100 new jobs;
- Financial activities with 15,000 new jobs;
- Florida job postings showed 261,619 openings in January 2018; and
- Florida’s housing market also remains strong as median home prices rose $20,000 across the state in the last year. The statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes in January 2018 was $240,000, up from the previous year’s median price of $220,000. The increase in home prices and the number of homes sold resulted in an additional $500 million in home sales, up 10.9 percent from January 2017.
To view the January 2018 employment data, click here.
Gov. Scott: Florida Businesses Created Nearly 30,000 Private-Sector Jobs in December
Governor Rick Scott today announced that Florida businesses created nearly 30,000 private-sector jobs in December. Since December 2010, Florida businesses have created 1,497,100 jobs, including nearly 205,000 jobs created in 2017. Florida’s annual job growth rate, which is 2.8 percent, also continues to exceed the nation’s rate, which is 1.6 percent. Governor Scott announced December jobs numbers at the PGA TOUR office in Ponte Vedra. The PGA TOUR has selected Ponte Vedra Beach as the location for its new global headquarters, which will create 300 new jobs for families in St. Johns County. The PGA TOUR currently employs 800 Floridians.
Governor Scott said, “I am proud to announce that Florida businesses concluded 2017 by creating nearly 30,000 new jobs for families across the state in December. Our work to cut taxes, reduce regulation and encourage economic growth has sent a message across the country that Florida is where job creators and families should go to succeed. Florida had a great year of job creation in 2017 and we will fight each day to make sure our state remains the best place for new opportunities in 2018, and for years to come.”
As of December, Florida’s unemployment rate is at 3.7 percent, a drop of 7.0 percentage points since December 2010, faster than the national decline of 5.2 percentage points. In the last year, 185,000 people entered Florida’s labor force, a growth of 1.9 percent, which is nearly four times the national labor force growth rate of only 0.5 percent.
Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “Florida businesses had strong job growth in 2017, creating nearly 205,000 jobs for families throughout the state. It is important to continue to support Governor Scott’s pro-business priorities to ensure our state stays competitive and recruits new businesses.”
Other positive economic indicators include:
- Private-sector industries gaining the most jobs over-the-year were:
- Professional and business services with 47,200 new jobs;
- Construction with 43,900 new jobs;
- Trade, transportation and utilities with 33,600 new jobs;
- Education and health services with 22,300 new jobs; and
- Manufacturing with 16,200 new jobs.
- Florida job postings showed 265,244 openings in December 2017.
- In December, Florida’s 24 regional workforce boards reported 18,828 Floridians, including 1,043 veterans, were placed in jobs.
To view the December 2017 employment data, click here.
DEO Encourages Florida Businesses to Prepare for Hurricane Season
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) encourages business owners and managers to be prepared for the 2017 hurricane season that begins on June 1. Adequately preparing for a disaster is the best way to protect your business and ensure it gets up and running quickly after a storm.
DEO Executive Director Cissy Proctor said, “Businesses across Florida need to be prepared and have a plan in place for operations before, during and after severe weather and storms, especially during hurricane season. As we know in Florida, hurricanes and severe weather events pose a threat to much of the state. The best way to protect lives, property and our local economies is to prepare in advance. If you don’t already have a plan for your business, make one today at www.FLGetaPlan.com.”
DEO urges businesses to do the following right away:
- Make preparations now – Hurricanes pose risks for flooding and wind damage. Make sure your business is prepared for a flooding event by moving important items off of the floor. Prepare for high winds by removing or fixing broken items on the exterior of your business.
- Get a plan – Make sure your business’s emergency plan is updated. If you do not have one, go to www.FLGetaPlan.com to make one today for your business and family.
- Check your disaster supply kit – Review the items in in your disaster supply kit to ensure all needed items are there and up-to-date. If you don’t have a disaster supply kit for your home or business, prepare one now.
- Stay in touch – Keep cell phones charged and make sure all contact information for employees and other important contacts is current and correct. Alert employees to pay attention to news, phone and email, especially during the threat of a hurricane or severe weather.
- Stay informed – Visit the Florida Virtual Business Emergency Operations Center at http://flvbeoc.org today to register your business to receive updates in the event of a severe storm or hurricane.
As a member of the State Emergency Response Team, DEO coordinates local, state and federal agency actions that provide immediate and short-term assistance for the needs of businesses after a disaster.
Visit www.FLGetaPlan.com to create your business emergency plan. More resources on business preparedness are available from the Florida Division of Emergency Management at www.FloridaDisaster.org, the Federal Emergency Management Agency at www.Ready.gov/business, and the Small Business Administration at www.sba.gov.
Gov. Scott: Florida Businesses Created Nearly 54,000 Jobs in 2017
Governor Rick Scott announced that Florida businesses created 53,800 private-sector jobs in the first two months of 2017, bringing the total number of new jobs added since December 2010 to 1,346,200. Governor Scott made the announcement at Bealls, Inc. in Bradenton. The retailer, which is headquartered in Florida, has created more than 300 jobs across the state over the past two years and employs more than 8,500 Floridians.
Governor Rick Scott said, “I am proud to announce that Florida’s private-sector businesses have created nearly 54,000 new jobs in 2017. Over the past six years, we have been relentless in our efforts to make Florida the most business-friendly state in the nation because a job is the most important thing to a family. It is incredibly disheartening that politicians in the Florida House have voted to jeopardize programs that create opportunities for our families, visitors, military members and job creators. However, we will continue to fight for important economic development tools like Enterprise Florida and VISIT FLORIDA and the critical impact they have on supporting our growing economy.”
For the 59th consecutive month, Florida’s annual job growth rate of 3.3 percent is exceeding the nation’s rate of 1.8 percent. In the last year, 239,800 new jobs were created by businesses across the state. Florida’s unemployment rate remained low at 5 percent in February, while the labor force participation rate climbed to 59.8 percent. Florida’s labor force is growing at a rate of 3.1 percent over the year while the U.S. labor force is growing at a rate of 0.7 percent over the year.
Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “Florida’s labor force is climbing more than four times faster than the nation’s and our labor force participation rate has risen over-the-year for eight consecutive months. This proves that Floridians are confident in their ability to land a good job here in Florida.”
Other positive economic indicators include:
- Private-sector industries gaining the most jobs over-the-year in February were:
- Professional and business services with 43,300 new jobs;
- Trade, transportation and utilities with 42,000 new jobs;
- Education and health services with 40,500 new jobs;
- Leisure and hospitality with 40,300 new jobs; and
- Construction with 34,700 new jobs.
- Florida job postings showed 235,950 openings in February 2017.
- In February, Florida’s 24 regional workforce boards reported 29,574 Floridians, including 1,413 veterans, were placed in jobs.
To view the February 2017 employment data visit www.floridajobs.org/labor-market-information/labor-market-information-press-releases/monthly-press-releases.
ICYMI: NBC 6: Florida businesses created more than 50,000 jobs in January
“Florida businesses created more than 50,000 jobs in January”
WTVJ-MIA (NBC) – Miami, FL
March 13, 2017
To view the clip, click HERE.
