Florida, Utah Tie For 1st In Private-Sector Job Growth

TALLAHASSEE, FL — Florida and Utah lead the nation for the pace at which private-sector jobs are being added to the economy. That's according to data released by Gov. Rick Scott’s office Tuesday.

“I am proud that we are ending 2016 with another great win for our state,” Scott said. “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.”

Florida saw 251,400 new private-sector jobs added over the year in November. That adds up to a private-sector job growth rate of 3.5 percent, Scott reported. Utah also saw job gains at 3.5 percent. The national rate is 1.7 percent.

“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,” Scott added.

See also: Florida Nation’s 4th Fastest-Growing State: Census Bureau

Florida ranked first in the nation for job growth connected to a few specific industries. According to the governor’s office they are:

• Manufacturing – 10,700 new jobs over the last year
• Leisure and hospitality – 57,300 new jops over the last year

Gains were also witnessed in such sectors as construction, financial activities and professional and business services.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Census Bureau released data that showed Florida remained the country’s third most populous state. Florida was also ranked fourth overall in the nation for population growth between 2015 and 2016. Interestingly, Utah led the nation in percentage of population growth.

As for Florida’s private-sector job gains over the past year, Cissy Proctor, director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, credits several factors. “Targeted tax cuts in the manufacturing industry and a strong commitment to tourism marketing have helped propel Florida’s job growth,” she said.

See also: Governor Praises Pitbull But Asks Tourism Chief to Step Down

Not all of Florida’s tourism marketing expenses have been received by a thumbs-up from state officials though. The revelation last week that Visit Florida paid Pitbull $1 million to promote the state’s “Sexy Beaches” promoted Scott to request the state’s tourism chief William Seccombe to step down.

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