TALLAHASSEE - In observance of Labor Day on September 7, 2015, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Jesse Panuccio issued the following statement:

“Labor Day in Florida is a time to celebrate the accomplishments, ingenuity, and hard work of Florida’s workers and job creators. Floridians have much to celebrate this Labor Day. Florida’s economy has experienced a remarkable turnaround over the last few years. Our unemployment rate is down to 5.4 percent, the lowest rate in seven years.  Our private sector has added more than 917,000 jobs since December 2010, and our annual job growth rate is one of the best in the nation.  Opportunities are out there—with job demand at 274,000 unique openings in August.”

“Behind each of these new jobs are real stories of Floridians and their families who now have opportunities and hope that didn’t exist a few years ago. Through pro-growth policy, we are creating pathways to prosperity for Florida’s families. Florida is now one the best states in the nation for business, innovation, and employment outlook. And, yet, even with all this success, we know there is more work to be done. We will continue to implement policies and programs to help ensure that every Floridian who wants a job, can get one. Have a safe and happy Labor Day.”