Governor Ron DeSantis highlighted Friday that Florida’s unemployment rate has remained below the national average for 45 consecutive months. As of July 2024, the state’s unemployment rate was 3.3%, which is a full percentage point lower than the national rate of 4.3%.
Over the past year, Florida has also seen a significant increase in private sector employment, adding 201,500 jobs—a 2.3% growth rate, surpassing the national average of 1.5%.
DeSantis credited the state’s economic performance to superior leadership, suggesting that if federal policies mirrored those of Florida, it would benefit families and small businesses nationwide. “Florida proves the economy can fare better with better leadership,” DeSantis stated, advocating for policy changes in Washington to emulate Florida’s approach.
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Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly criticized federal economic policies, particularly the decision to maintain high interest rates, which he believes have disrupted the economy. Kelly praised Florida’s fiscal strategies and economic stability, describing the state as the world’s leading ecosystem for job creation, which continues to attract a record number of visitors and boost confidence among both job creators and seekers.
In terms of job growth, the leisure and hospitality sector led with an increase of 11,200 jobs (0.9%) from the previous month, followed by the construction industry which added 6,300 jobs (1.0%). Florida’s labor force also expanded by 35,000 people (0.3%) over the past year.
The state continues to invest in workforce education and development programs to help Floridians gain necessary skills for high-skill, high-wage jobs, thereby ensuring economic resiliency and future success.
With more than 433,000 job vacancies listed online in July, opportunities abound for residents seeking employment. Floridians are encouraged to utilize resources such as the CareerSource Florida network, which offers assistance with job searches, resume writing, interview preparation, and career planning at no cost.
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