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Thursday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida job growth rate continues to outpace the nation
Governor Rick Scott announced that Florida is tied with Georgia for the fastest private-sector job growth rate of the 10 most populous states in the nation over the last year. Also, compared to all states, Florida had the third-fastest annual private-sector job growth rate in the nation, behind Nevada and Utah. See the news release from Gov. Scott's office.
Employment was up also. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
The largest over-the-year percentage increase in employment in large metropolitan areas occurred in Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Fla. (+4.0 percent), followed by Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, Nev. (+3.7 percent), and Jacksonville, Fla.; Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, Tenn.; and Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Fla. (+3.6 percent each).
More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Can marijuana make John Morgan governor of Florida?
On November 8, it seemed like John Morgan got everything he had ever wanted out of politics. The Orlando attorney turned medical marijuana into the most popular item on the November ballot. Can he do the same for himself? [Source: Politico]
Florida Trend Exclusive
Talent Hot Spots: Florida employment 'Location Quotient' 2016
To find concentrations of particular talents in Florida, Florida Trend used data from the state Department of Economic Opportunity — what’s called the Location Quotient for occupations throughout Florida in 2016. It measures the concentrations of particular workers in Florida’s counties. At this article, you'll learn what job concentrations are most abundant in each of Florida's regions. The most concentrated occupations reveal a lot about a region’s economy. Full story here.
Ken Lawson
Visit Florida CEO sees no slowdown in tourism after record-breaking quarter
The state welcomed a record 31.1 million visitors in the first quarter of 2017, and despite global pressures on tourism, Visit Florida CEO Ken Lawson predicts a positive Q2. [Source: South Florida Business Journal]
See also:
» Ken Lawson blog post: Partnership Importance and Visit to Miami
Senate OKs seven new VA medical facilities for Florida
Florida veterans will have more medical centers at which to receive mental health and outpatient services after the U.S. Senate late Tuesday unanimously approved legislation authorizing seven new major VA medical facilities in the state. The new Florida facilities will be located in Daytona Beach, Jacksonville, Ocala, Tampa, Lakeland and two in Gainesville. Read more in this statement from Sen. Bill Nelson. Also find more at the Miami Herald.
› Southwest Florida builders add 2,400 jobs to payrolls in June
The Sarasota-Manatee and Charlotte County metro areas were among 264 out of 358 nationwide where construction employment rose over the year, the Associated General Contractors of America reported Wednesday.
› USDA sanctions Florida companies
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on three produce companies for failing to pay Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act reparation awards.
› Citizens could shed 50,000 more policies
Two private-market insurance companies have been approved to “take out” up to 50,000 residential policies from state-run Citizens Property Insurance Corp.
› Florida Organic Aquaculture seeks buyer
The owners of Florida Organic Aquaculture LLC are considering a sale of the company in order to raise more capital to fund its operations.
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