On Friday, Gov. Rick Scott took to YouTube and Twitter to announce Floridas unemployment ratefor the month of May, and the number has gotten even lower since April. Floridas unemployment rate now sits at 7.1 percent -- the lowest it's been since September 2008.
In the video, Gov. Scott goes on to say the Sunshine State has created over 330,000 jobs in the last two years, helping Floridas unemployment rate drop. Floridas 7.1 percent unemployment rate is now several points below the national average of 7.6 percent.
This week, the governor also announced that several companies will be relocating to Florida, bringing jobs along with them. Among them is French aircraft manufacturer ATR North America, which will be moving its headquarters from Virginia to Miami Springs.
ATR North America is providing Florida families with the opportunity to pursue the American dream, said Scott of the companys decision to relocate to the Sunshine State.
The company will provide around 40 jobs with its relocation.
Gov. Scott also announced Friday the relocation of two more companies to Florida -- pharmaceutical research company dtw Marketing Research Inc, and medical informational technology and software development company DuvaSawko.
dtw Marketing Research Inc will be relocating from New Jersey to Amelia Island in Nassau County. dtw will hire a range of positions, including managerial, sales management and information technology, along with hourly flex-time positions. The pharmaceutical research company expects to begin hiring in the fall, and expects to fill 40 positions.DuvaSawko will be expanding its national headquarters in Ormond Beach, and the expansion will create 68 new jobs over three years. The company is expected to add $1.5 million to the local economy.
We are continuing to reduce burdensome regulations and restrictions, and will not stop until Florida has the best business climate in the nation, began Gov. Scott. With more and more companies relocating their corporate headquarters to Florida, we can see its working.
In May, Gov. Scott announced the state had added 16,700 private-sector jobs in April. On Friday, the governor explained the actual number of jobs created in April was higher by 2,300 -- meaning 19,000 jobs were created in April alone.
Each month we continue to distance ourselves from the national unemployment rate and it is clear we are succeeding in growing opportunities for Florida families to pursue the American dream, said Gov. Scott. Once again, Floridas unemployment rate is well below the national average. While Florida communities have experienced some incredible successes, well continue working tirelessly to provide jobs to families across the Sunshine State.
Florida has experienced positive job growth for 21 of the last 23 months. According to the Florida Economic Estimating Conference, the Sunshine State is expected to create more than 900,000 new jobs by 2018.
Reach Tampa-based reporter Allison Nielsen at Allison@sunshinestatenews.com.
