The unemployment rate rose in Florida in November, moving up from 4.8 percent to 4.9 percent even as Gov. Rick Scott announced the creation of 31,600 new private sector jobs.
Scott showcased the state’s job growth even as the unemployment rate saw a slight uptick for the second month in a row. The governor’s team noted that the labor force continues to expand with almost 175,000 new members in the past year and 64,000 just in November.
“I am proud to announce that more than 31,000 new jobs were created by Florida businesses last month,” Scott said. “As we approach the end of the year, it is a great time to reflect on how much our families and businesses have accomplished because we have turned Florida’s economy around."
Scott also noted that he was optimistic job growth could continue as President-elect Donald Trump readies to take over in Washington.
“Next month we will have a new president, Donald Trump, who is laser focused on growing American jobs and turning around our national economy like we have done in Florida,” Scott said.
Cissy Proctor, the executive director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, also said November’s job numbers were strong even with the unemployment rate going up.
“November was another very strong month for job creation in Florida, which is great news for job seekers,” Proctor said. “Florida’s consistent job growth and plentiful job opportunities prove that now is a great time for Floridians to find their dream job.”
The leisure and hospitality industry saw the most gains across the year with 57,300 new jobs followed by professional and business services with 51,500 new jobs and education and health services with 50,000 new jobs. The information industry saw a slight setback this year, losing 700 jobs, but that was the only sector with job loss.
Monroe County continues to have the lowest unemployment rate in the Sunshine state with 3.2 percent followed by St. Johns County at 3.8 percent and Lafayette County with 4.1 percent. Hendry County had the highest unemployment rate in the state at 9.1. percent followed by Sumter County at 7.0 percent and Citrus and Highlands counties at 6.8 percent each.
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