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News Release
Florida businesses created nearly 51,000 jobs in January
More than 1.34 million jobs created since December 2010
BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. — Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that Florida businesses created 50,700 private-sector jobs in January, bringing the total number of new jobs added since December 2010 to 1,343,100. Governor Scott made the announcement at Herc Rentals Inc. which, thanks to the hard work of Enterprise Florida (EFI), is expanding its Lee County-based corporate headquarters, creating 122 new jobs.
Governor Scott said, “I am proud to announce that Florida’s private-sector businesses created nearly 51,000 new jobs in January. In the last six years, our state has added more than 1.34 million new jobs with help from our economic development organizations like Enterprise Florida that fight for new investment all across our state. Today’s announcement of Herc Rentals adding more than 120 new jobs would not have been possible without the hard work and collaboration of EFI. Unfortunately, politicians in the Florida House last week voted to kill our jobs program– threating great jobs wins like Herc’s expansion in Bonita Springs. We will continue to fight for jobs and ensure Florida remains competitive for major jobs wins that provide opportunities for Florida families.
For the 58th consecutive month, Florida’s annual job growth rate of 3.6 percent is exceeding the nation’s rate of 1.8 percent. In the last year alone, 260,600 new jobs were created by businesses across the state. Florida’s unemployment rate remained low at five percent in January.
Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “After a very strong year of job creation in 2016, Florida businesses are doubling down on their investment in new jobs. In January, more than 50,000 new jobs empowered Florida families to achieve financial security. Florida must build on the momentum of the last six years by continuing to support economic diversification and job creation opportunities for all Floridians.”
Other positive economic indicators include:
- Private-sector industries gaining the most jobs in January were:
- Professional and business services with 11,800 new jobs;
- Construction with 10,700 new jobs, and
- Trade, transportation and utilities with 6,700 new jobs.
- Florida job postings showed 255,690 openings in January 2017.
- In January, Florida’s 24 regional workforce boards reported more than 31,898 Floridians, including 1,352 veterans, were placed in jobs.
· Labor force increased by 251,000 over the year in January 2017, rising by 2.6 percent.
To view the January 2017 employment data visit www.floridajobs.org/labor-market-information/labor-market-information-press-releases/monthly-press-releases.
