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Thursday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida private sector job growth picks up in December
After a mediocre November, Florida rebounded by adding a robust 21,700 private sector jobs in December, according to a report released Wednesday. It's the single strongest month since June and bolsters economists' expectations that Florida is positioned for a strong performance in 2015. Read more from the Tampa Bay Times, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, and ADP.
State's top jobs recruiter stepping down from post
Florida's top jobs recruiter is stepping down from his post. Gray Swoope, the state's secretary of commerce and head of Enterprise Florida, is resigning at the end of February. Governor Scott released this statement:
“Gray has created the jobs legacy and brand that EFI has today. Four years ago, Florida wasn’t even at the table for major economic deals, but Gray turned all that around. Now we are a leader for job creation projects- and most importantly, Florida is often the winner! Florida has created over 715,000 jobs over the last four years and our unemployment rate has dropped from 11.1% to 5.8%. Gray has carved a lasting imprint on Florida’s economic history that has put us on the path to surpass Texas and take up the mantle as the number one state for job creation.”
More from the AP and the Orlando Business Journal.
See also:
» As jobs czar Gray Swoope resigns, Florida Gov. Rick Scott faces fresh criticism over FDLE shakeup
1.2 million Floridians signed up for health insurance
Nearly 1.2 million Floridians have signed up for health insurance through the federal marketplace so far under the Affordable Care Act. Florida has one of the highest uninsured rates in the country and led the way in enrollment last year among the states using healthcare.gov. More from the AP and the South Florida Business Journal.
The status of Florida’s citrus industry
Florida is the largest citrus producer in the U.S. and the second largest producer of orange juice in the world. The industry has a $9 billion a year economic impact on the state accounting for about 76,000 jobs. Not long ago, citrus groves covered about 800,000 acres of land in Florida. Today, that’s down to just over 400,000 acres. [Source: WGCU]
How did Americans spend the $13 billion they saved on gas?
U.S. retailers enjoyed their best holiday season in years. But it wasn’t so much the result of outstanding merchandising prowess as it was the benefit of gas prices falling to their lowest levels in five years, putting an extra $13 billion more in consumers’ pockets. [Source: Fortune]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Development, retail sales lifting Fort Lauderdale-area economy
Broward County's economy is getting a boost from big residential projects, which is giving business leaders continued optimism for 2015. The Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber's Council of Economic Advisors also said holiday retail sales exceeded expectations.
› Florida's largest health insurer cuts 150 jobs
Florida Blue, the state's largest health insurer, is eliminating 150 jobs across the state this week, The Palm Beach Post confirmed. That's between 1 percent and 2 percent of its workforce.
› Eastern Florida sees boom in bachelor’s programs
Interest is booming in Eastern Florida State College’s bachelor’s degree programs this semester — and is expected to continue growing in years to come. About 800 students enrolled this semester, about six times the enrollment of the 2013-14 fall semester.
› PAC launches to push solar power amendment
A public action committee that launched Wednesday is banking on support from a diverse array of groups as it fights against Florida's utility companies.
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