Gov. Rick Scott Says Florida Businesses Added More Than 16,000 Jobs In May

By  //  June 19, 2015

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Governor Rick Scott today announced that Florida businesses have created 879,700 private-sector jobs since December 2010. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily)

Governor Rick Scott today announced that Florida businesses have created 879,700 private-sector jobs since December 2010.

In May 2015, 16,200 private-sector jobs were created across Florida.

Florida’s annual private-sector job growth rate, now at 3.9 percent, has exceeded that of the nation since April 2012. Florida’s unemployment rate for May 2015 was 5.7 percent, down 0.6 percentage point from the May 2014 rate.

Rick Scott
Rick Scott

“We are excited to announce May was another strong month for job creation in Florida, with over 16,000 new private-sector jobs created. Since December 2010, Florida businesses have created over 879,000 jobs, which means more families are able to live their dreams right here in Florida,” said Governor Rick Scott.

“We will continue to cut taxes and create an environment where businesses can grow so Florida can become the global destination for jobs.”

Florida’s unemployment rate decreased by 0.6 percentage point over the year from the May 2014 rate of 6.3 percent, down to 5.7 percent in May 2015.

Florida’s unemployment rate has declined by 5.0 percentage points since December 2010. On an annual basis, Florida’s labor force has increased for 63 consecutive months.

This week, Governor Scott also announced that Florida’s real gross domestic product (GDP) in 2014 was $769.7 billion, up 2.7 percent from 2013. This growth rate exceeded the national growth rate of 2.2 percent. Among all states, Florida had the fourth largest real GDP in the nation in 2014.

Governor Scott made the announcement in Kissimmee at Photon-X, an imaging technology company that will be creating 110 new jobs in the Orlando area.

Photon-X staff consists of technologists and engineers providing technical expertise in a variety of areas including optics, imaging, sensors, photonics, physics and computer science.

Jesse Panuccio
Jesse Panuccio

“Florida’s overall economic climate continues to improve as we implement policies that support a pro-growth environment. Florida’s GDP growth exceeded the nation’s in 2014, job demand remains near record levels, and the state has recovered all of the total jobs lost during the recession,” said Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Jesse Panuccio.

More Floridians Getting Back to Work 

Florida’s private-sector job growth month-to-month has been positive for 43 consecutive months.

Industries gaining the most jobs over the month in May were education and health services with 6,800 new jobs, trade, transportation, and utilities with 6,300 new jobs, and financial activities with 4,100 new jobs.

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Florida has created 879,700 new private sector jobs since December 2010. Florida job postings compiled by the Help Wanted OnLine data series from The Conference Board showed 283,949 openings in May 2015.

Home Sales Robust

Florida’s housing market reported more closed sales, higher median prices, increased pending sales and more new listings in April, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®.

Florida median home prices were up 11.4 percent over the year in April 2015.
Florida building permits were up 16.8 percent over the year in April 2015.

Workforce Boards Assisting in Employment

In May, Florida’s 24 regional workforce boards reported more than 33,225 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, 6,486 previously received Reemployment Assistance.
In 2014, 470,534 individuals were placed into jobs through the regional workforce board, including more than 23,986 veterans.