TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that Florida businesses added private-sector jobs at the fastest rate in the nation in the last year, tied with Utah. Over the year in November, Florida added 251,400 new private-sector jobs, resulting in a private-sector job growth rate of 3.5 percent. Florida’s annual job growth rate has exceeded the nation’s rate, which is 1.7 percent, for 56 consecutive months.


Governor Scott said, “I am proud that we are ending 2016 with another great win for our state. Florida is leading the nation in private sector job growth and sending a message across the country that our focus on making it easier for businesses and families to succeed is working. In the last six years, more than 1.25 million jobs have been created for families across our state and we will continue to do all we can to grow opportunities and make Florida first for jobs.”


Florida’s manufacturing industry led the nation in job gains over the year in November, after also leading the nation in August, September and October. The state’s manufacturing industry added 10,700 new jobs in the last year. Florida also led the nation in leisure and hospitality job growth, adding 57,300 private-sector jobs. The state had the second-highest job gains among all states in construction, financial activities and professional and businesses services.


Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Cissy Proctor said, “Florida’s strong job growth across a diverse group of industries proves that our efforts to attract quality jobs are working. Targeted tax cuts in the manufacturing industry and a strong commitment to tourism marketing have helped propel Florida’s job growth.”


###