Florida Leads Largest States in Job Growth
Governor Rick Scott announced that Florida is tied with Georgia for the fastest private-sector job growth rate of the 10 most populous states in the nation over the last year. Also, compared to all states, Florida had the third-fastest annual private-sector job growth rate in the nation, behind Nevada and Utah. For 63 consecutive months, Florida’s private-sector job growth rate has outpaced the nation’s.
Governor Scott said, “I am proud that Florida continues to lead the nation’s largest states in job growth, which is sending a message across the country that our state is the best place for businesses to grow and for families to find great jobs. Florida’s job growth has also outpaced the nation’s for nearly five and a half years, and we are leading the country in a variety of industries, proving that our efforts to diversify the economy are helping to create new opportunities every day. With the newly established $85 million Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, we will continue to attract job creators to invest in Florida and ensure we remain a leader in job creation for generations to come.”
Since December 2010, Florida businesses have created 1,397,400 private-sector jobs. This June, Florida’s unemployment rate reached a 10-year low at 4.1 percent, and decreased over the month by 0.2 percent while the national unemployment rate increased 0.1 percent.
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Cissy Proctor said, “Florida’s strong workforce and business-friendly environment allow our state’s economy to flourish. I am proud to see our state’s job growth rate soar past our nation’s other large states. Now is an ideal time for job seekers to find their dream job in the Sunshine State and for businesses to invest in our growing economy.”
In the last year, Florida businesses created more jobs than any other state in the trade, transportation and utilities industry with 35,600 new jobs. The state also had the second-highest over-the-year job gains among all states in the construction, manufacturing, financial activities and professional and business services industries.
