Economic Leaders Optimistic About Brevard Job Growth

By  //  May 15, 2013

Florida Chamber Forecasts 200,000 Jobs to Be Created in 2013

ABOVE VIDEO:  Brevard Workforce Career Center Manager Tim Morgan shows the Rockledge Career Center. A recent report from the Florida Chamber of Commerce Projected 200,000 jobs to be created in Florida for the year 2013.

Economic leaders throughout Florida and the Space Coast are guardedly optimistic about job growth improvement through the second half of 2013 and beyond. Earlier today, the Florida Chamber of Commerce reported  that the statewide consumer confidence index (CCI) rose to 79 in April – a four percent increase from March and an over eight percent increase from a low of 73 in February. Data for the index is provided by the University of Florida’s Bureau of Economic Research.

Lynda Weatherman, president and CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast, is encouraged by the results of multiple job-creation projects that have shown improved results since the start of 2013.

“Since 2010, the EDC and its community partners have been involved in projects that have announced more than 4,000 jobs, and already this year there have been an additional 1,100-plus jobs announced, ” Weatherman said. “As the economy gains momentum and the competitive advantages of the Space Coast continue to garner national and international attention, we expect to see additional projects and more jobs created this year and beyond. The EDC has more than 70 projects in the pipeline, and though the nature of economic development dictates that not all of them will materialize, we are confident that the improving economy and the benefits of doing business here will ensure that our economy will continue to grow.”

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FLORIDA CHAMBER RELEASES REPORTS

An excerpt from the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s 2013  economic forecast reads:

During the first three months of 2013, Florida’s non-farm employers have added 55,000 new jobs to the economy—a sharp increase from the 27,400 positions added in the previous quarter

“According to a new forecast developed by the Florida Chamber Foundation, the state could see firms adding nearly 200,000 nonagricultural positions over the 2013 year. The employment forecast relies on a combination of factors including housing metrics, manufacturing delivery times, and consumer confidence. During the first three months of 2013, Florida’s non-farm employers have added 55,000 new jobs to the economy—a sharp increase from the 27,400 positions added in the previous quarter.”

In addition to the encouraging news from the job growth forecast, statewide consumer confidence is rising. An excerpt from the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s report on consumer confidence reads:

“While the national index fell two points (as measured by the University of Michigan’s survey), Florida continues to display signs of tail winds and is positioning to be an economic leader moving into the second quarter of 2013..Most notably, the indicator for expected economic conditions one year from now rose over 11 percent this month – from 72 in March to 80 in April. Are Florida’s policies and focus on strengthening job creation and improving the business climate effective? Apparently Florida consumers seem to think so.”

Florida’s unemployment rates for April will be released on Friday, May 17. Florida’s economy is still missing around half a million jobs when compared to the pre-recession level of employment.

The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast is dedicated to attracting new business and investment and expanding existing industry throughout the Space Coast, influencing change on government laws and regulations affecting economic development, promoting the Space Coast to encourage new investment, supporting efforts of Space Coast military installations, and relaying new programs and procedures to assist manufacturing and high tech companies. The EDC is a private, not-for-profit coalition whose stakeholders are business leaders committed to the economic growth and stability of Florida’s Space Coast. Visit www.SpaceCoastEDC.org.