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ADDING OVER 728,000 JOBS

Gov. Scott: Florida Adds 728,500 Private-Sector Jobs in Four Years

Unemployment Rate Drops to 5.6 Percent

Last week , Governor Rick Scott announced that Florida businesses added 11,500 private-sector jobs in December 2014. The number of private-sector jobs added statewide in November 2014 was also revised up to 39,900 new jobs, 1,300 more jobs than reported last month. Since December 2010, Florida has added 728,500 private-sector jobs. Florida’s statewide unemployment rate in December was 5.6 percent, the lowest since April 2008. Governor Scott made today’s announcement at the grand opening of SeaLand, a leading ocean transportation company that will create 65 new jobs with a capital investment of $350,000 in Miramar.

Governor Rick Scott said, “Today we are excited to announce that Florida businesses added 11,500 private-sector jobs in December, for a total of 728,500 private-sector jobs created in only four years, and we look forward to seeing even more businesses grow and create jobs for families across the state. As we prepare to release our 2015-2016 “KEEP FLORIDA WORKING” budget recommendations, we will stay laser-focused on our goal of making Florida the global destination for business and job creation.”

Since December 2010, Florida’s unemployment rate has dropped 5.5 percentage points, from 11.1 percent down now to 5.6 percent in December 2014. Florida’s unemployment rate has declined or held steady over the month for 49 of the last 52 months. Florida’s December unemployment rate is also down 0.2 percentage point from last month, and down 0.7 percentage point from the December 2013 rate of 6.3 percent.

Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Jesse Panuccio said, “With these strong December numbers, we now have the complete picture of Florida’s economic turnaround these past four years. Last year was the best yet in Florida’s recovery, with 225,700 private-sector jobs added, record levels of job demand, a falling unemployment rate, and nation-leading labor force growth. Good policy is driving Florida’s growth. And we’re not done. Governor Scott is proposing a mix of tax cuts and critical investments that will keep Florida working for years to come.”

“The Alliance is thrilled that SeaLand has located in Miramar. The company’s rich history and bright future in marine and logistics is a strong addition to two of Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County’s targeted industries. We wish the company continued success,” said Alliance CEO Bob Swindell.

More Floridians Getting Back to Work

  • Florida’s annual job growth rate has exceeded that of the nation since April 2012.
  • Florida’s private sector job growth month-to-month has been positive for 46 of the last 49 months.
  • December’s private-sector job growth is an increase of 225,700 jobs over the year.
  • All ten major industries experienced over the year job gains.
  • Florida has created 728,500 new private sector jobs since December 2010.
  • Florida job postings compiled by the Help Wanted OnLine data series from The Conference Board showed 269,810 openings in December 2014.

Home Sales Robust

  • Home sales remain robust as the backlog of existing homes on the market is down by 33.7 percent from December 2011 (Florida Realtors).
  • Florida median home prices were up 3.5 percent over the year in November 2014.

Workforce Boards Assisting in Employment

  • In December, Florida’s 24 regional workforce boards reported more than 39,600 Floridians were placed in jobs. An individual who receives employment and training assistance through a CareerSource Center and finds a job within 180 days is deemed a placement and may be reported by a regional workforce board. Of these individuals, 6,817 previously received Reemployment Assistance.
  • In 2014, 470,534 individuals were placed into jobs through the regional workforce board, including more than 23,986 veterans.

To view the December 2014 employment data, visit www.floridajobs.org/labor-market-information/labor-market-information-press-releases/monthly-press-releases.

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