James Call
Job creation in Florida has slowed but continues. The unemployment rate for February fell one-tenth of one percent to 5.6, a drop of 0.6 percent compared to a year ago and down 2.3 percent– down from Feb. 2013, the Department of Economic Opportunity reported Friday.
The U.S. unemployment rate is 5.5 percent.
Employers added 19,700 jobs in the month, with private sector hiring 14,900 workers. There are 548,000 people in Florida looking for work, the state’s workforce is 9.7 million. The jobless number has dropped by more than 40,000 from 588,000 a year ago while the workforce has grown by 200,000.
“More than 14,000 jobs were created during the month of February alone, and more opportunities are becoming for available for families each month,” said Gov. Rick Scott in a prepared statement. Scott does not county public sector jobs in his calculation.
“We know that a great job helps dreams come true in our state, and we will keep working to make Florida the best place in the world for families to succeed,” said Scott.
During the past 12 months, the industry adding the most jobs has been the trade, transportation and utilities sector, adding 53,900 in the previous 12 months for a 3.4 percent increase.
Increased hiring in other industries include a 4.3 percent growth in professional and business services, 48,900 jobs; leisure and hospitality — 4.3 percent jump with 48,900 jobs; and private education and health services — a 4-percent increase of 46,200 jobs.
The construction sector continues to recover from the Great Recession, adding 29,600 jobs in a February-to-February comparison — a 7.7 percent increase. Financial sector jobs increased by 3.1 percent — 15,900 positions; and manufacturing added 2,800 jobs for a 0.9-percent increase.
Once again, the only major industry that lost jobs over the year was information, losing 1,100 jobs, a drop of 0.8 percent compared to last February.
“February was another strong month for Florida’s continually improving economy, with nearly 15,000 new private-sector jobs, growth in the labor force, steadily falling unemployment and record job demand,” said DEO Secretary Jesse Panuccio. “These positive trends are evidence that Gov. Scott’s policies have spurred economic growth in the Sunshine State.”
Monroe County had the lowest unemployment rate in the state at 3.9.percent, followed by St. Johns County at 4.1 and Wakulla County at 4.6 percent; all three showing improvement compared to January’s report.
Putnam County had the highest unemployment rate at 8.2 percent, followed by Citrus County at 7.9.percent and Hendry County at 7.8 percent; all three posting lower rates than the January report.
