Mid-Year Jobs Report: Florida Beating Pre-Recession Job Growth, On Path Of Sustained Economic Success
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - After a debilitating recession from 2007 to 2009 that cost thousands of people their jobs, Florida is again among the national leaders in job creation at the halfway mark of 2016, according to the latest Economic Commentary by Florida TaxWatch. The nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute & government watchdog notes that over the last twelve months, Florida’s total non-farm employment has grown 3.03 percent, the state has added approximately 244,500 non-farm jobs and Florida’s overall employment is among the highest in the state’s history. Through the first six months of 2016 alone, Florida has added 113,000 non-farm jobs and has seen its unemployment rate drop to 4.7 percent from 5.1 percent.
Nearly all non-farm industries in Florida have seen their employment numbers increase. Over the past 12 months, the Professional and Business Services sector led the state’s major industries in job growth, adding 48,400 jobs. Other industries like Education and Health Services, Leisure and Hospitality, and Construction saw significant gains in employment.
“Florida is once again the best state in the country to find a job. We continue to outpace the nation in job growth and over the last six months, 113,000 Floridians have gotten back to work, providing for their families and contributing to the economy,” said Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro. “As we continue into the second half of the year, our goal remains the same: to ensure that Florida is an economic force nationally and around the globe.”
“Florida continues to shine as one of the best places in the nation for consistent, strong economic growth. Our competitive business climate has enabled the private sector to add more than 1.1 million jobs since 2010,” said Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Cissy Proctor. “The unemployment rate is at an eight year low and our GDP is again outpacing other large states and the nation. At DEO, we are committed to working with our partners around the state to invest in our future economic growth and ensure new job opportunities for Floridians.”
“Florida’s job growth continues to be among the strongest in the nation, thanks in large part to forward-thinking state leaders and our intentional focus on building a workforce that meets the needs of businesses today and tomorrow,” said CareerSource Florida President and CEO Chris Hart IV. “Through ongoing collaboration among education, industry, workforce development and economic development leaders, we will build on that growth while ensuring Florida’s workers and employers have even greater opportunities to succeed and prosper.”
“The job numbers prove that targeted investment in economic development and smart economic policy is working in Florida. Thousands of people have returned to work and our unemployment rate has fallen below the national rate,” said Senator Jack Latvala, who represents Florida Senate District 20. “I will continue to champion policies that improve Florida’s standing in the global economy, while ensuring much-needed jobs for the hard-working people of this great state.”
The full mid-year jobs report can be read in this month’s Florida TaxWatch Economic Commentary.