Florida recovered nicely from being impacted by hurricanes in September as the unemployment rate dropped to 3.6 percent in October.
Gov. Rick Scott announced the unemployment rate moved from 3.8 percent in September to 3.6 percent last month with more than 127,000 new private sector jobs in October. The national unemployment rate stood at 4.1 percent in October.
“I am proud to announce today that Florida’s unemployment rate has reached a more than 10-year low of 3.6 percent and that more than 127,000 private-sector jobs were created in October,” Scott announced on Friday. “While Hurricane Irma was a devastating storm, we have worked day after day to help communities recover and send a message across the world that Florida is open for business. Today’s announcement, and the creation of more than 1.44 million private-sector jobs since December 2010, shows the strength of our economy. We will continue to work to make our state more business-friendly, including fighting to cut taxes by more than $180 million during the upcoming legislation session, to help secure Florida’s future as the best place for families and job creators to succeed.”
Since Scott has taken over in Tallahassee at the start of 2011, the unemployment rate has dropped 7.1 percent.
Cissy Proctor, the executive director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, also stressed the Sunshine State has recovered nicely from Hurricane Irma.
“Recovering from Hurricane Irma has been our top priority,” Proctor said. “We are committed to ensuring Florida’s families and businesses continue to prosper. The unemployment rate has consistently declined while jobs are being added in diverse industries all across the Sunshine State, proving that we have the best economic climate in the nation.”
Professional and business services has led job growth in Florida over the past year with 38,900 new jobs, followed by the trade, transportation and utilities sector with 38,300 new jobs and
construction with 35,600 new jobs.
Okaloosa and St. Johns counties continue to lead Florida with the lowest unemployment rate with both having a 2.7 percent unemployment rate. The unemployment rate stood at 2.8 percent in Franklin and Gulf counties and 2.9 percent in Wakulla and Walton counties. Hendry County had the highest unemployment rate at 7.3 percent followed by Hardee County at 5.8 percent and Glades County at 5 percent.
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