TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Governor Rick Scott today announced that Florida created 2,100 private-sector jobs in July 2014. Since December 2010, Florida’s private-sector businesses have added 620,300 jobs for Florida families. The statewide unemployment rate for July 2014 is 6.2 percent, down 1.1 percentage points from the July 2013 rate of 7.3 percent and unchanged from last month.

Governor Rick Scott said, “Florida’s private-sector created more than 2,000 jobs for Florida families in July, bringing total private-sector job creation since December 2010 to 620,300. Every new job positively impacts a family, and today’s announcement is more great news for Florida families looking to live the American Dream in the Sunshine State. Florida continues to see positive job growth highlighting our economic recovery, so let’s keep working to make sure every Floridian who wants a job can get one.”

Since December 2010, Florida’s unemployment rate has dropped 4.9 percentage points, from 11.1 percent down now to 6.2 percent in July 2014. Florida’s unemployment rate has declined or held steady over the month for 45 of the last 47 months.

Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Jesse Panuccio said, “Florida’s economy continues to improve as we implement policies that support a pro-growth business climate. Job creators, responding to our low-tax, streamlined regulatory environment, added 2,100 more jobs to Florida’s private sector in July. We will continue to develop policies that promote economic growth and prosperity in our state.”

The long-term positive trends in the unemployment rate and job counts are among the most important economic indicators to consider when analyzing the health of Florida’s economic recovery. The state’s private-sector job counts have been steadily on the rise for over three years, showing that Florida’s businesses are responding to the state’s improving economic climate. Since December 2010, the state has added 620,300 private-sector jobs.

More Floridians Getting Back to Work

• Florida’s annual job growth rate has exceeded that of the nation since April 2012.
• Florida’s private sector job growth month-to-month has been positive for 41 of the last 44 months.
• Florida has created 620,300 new private sector jobs since December 2010.
• Florida job postings compiled by the Help Wanted OnLine data series from The Conference Board showed 261,382 openings in July 2014.

Home Sales Robust

• Home sales remain robust as the backlog of existing homes on the market is down by 32.5 percent from December 2011 (Florida Realtors).
• Florida median home prices were up 5.2 percent over the year in June 2014.

Workforce Boards Assisting in Employment

• In July, Florida’s 24 Regional Workforce Boards reported more than 39,100 Floridians were placed in jobs. An individual who receives employment and training assistance through a CareerSource Center and finds a job within 180 days is deemed a placement and may be reported by a regional workforce board. Of these individuals, 8,040 previously received Reemployment Assistance. 
• In 2013, more than 479,000 Floridians were placed in jobs, with 135,384 former claimants finding employment.

To view the July 2014 employment data visit www.floridajobs.org/labor-market-information/labor-market-information-press-releases/monthly-press-releases.

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