On Thursday afternoon, Gov. Rick Scott announced that the unemployment rate in Florida remained at 7.1 percent in June despite the number of private-sector jobs going up during the month. In May, the state unemployment rate had been 7.1 percent. During June, 2,300 private-sector jobs were created in the Sunshine State.
Floridas June unemployment rate of 7.1 percent will continue to contribute to the long-term trend of decreasing unemployment throughout the state, Scott said in a statement. The creation of more than 2,000 private-sector jobs last month is further evidence of the states continuing economic recovery. As Florida families are getting back to work, it is clear that its working.The national unemployment average for June stood at 7.6 percent. This marks the fourth month in a row where Floridas unemployment rate was below the national average.
Since Scott took over as governor at the start of 2011, more than 333,000 private-sector jobs have been created in Florida, dropping the state unemployment rate from 11.1 percent to its current figure.
Floridas workforce boards are also finding jobs for more Floridians. In June, the 24 regional workforce boards across the state placed more than 35,400 Floridians in new jobs. This is more than 6,800 Floridians placed in jobs by the workforce boards back in June 2012. Of the 35,400 Floridians who found jobs in June with the help of the workforce boards, more than 9,850 of them had received previous assistance in finding jobs.
Scotts team pointed to other indicators of growth in Florida on Thursday. They noted Florida continues to attract people from other states and highlighted the fact that Florida leads the nation in attracting residents from Puerto Rico. Scotts team noted Floridas trade continues to grow and housing sales are starting to pick up.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at 904-521-3722.
