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Staff ReportsApril 29, 2016

Florida consumers say they are a little less confident about the state’s economic future. As a result, consumer sentiment fell 3.5 points in April to 90.6, according to the latest University of Florida consumer survey. The reading is the lowest since October and lower than the previous 12-month average. Of the five components that make […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 15, 2016

The unemployment rate to continues to be on the decline, with Florida seeing a slight decrease in the number of jobless people in March. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.9 percent in March, down from 5 percent in February. According to the state’s Department of Economic Opportunity, the national unemployment rate was 5 […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 8, 2016

Consumer confidence is at its highest point in nearly a year. According to the Bureau of Economic and Business Research at the University of Florida, consumer sentiment rose to 93.4 in March. That’s up from February 2015, but still below March 2015’s reading, which was the highest reading in a decade. “Floridians are confident in […]

Drew WilsonApril 4, 2016

Granite and marble slab manufacturer Granex plans to move its headquarters to Tampa and add 50 employees in Hillsborough County over the next few years, Gov. Rick Scott announced Monday. “I’m excited Granex chose to move their first location in the United States to Tampa Bay. Since 2010, we have cut taxes over 55 times, […]

Drew WilsonMarch 28, 2016

Extended warranty company SquareTrade will add 60 jobs and make more than $500,000 in investments in the Orlando area as part of an economic incentives deal with the state, Gov. Rick Scott said Monday. “SquareTrade’s decision to expand and grow in Orlando is tremendous news for all Floridians. This growth demonstrates that cutting taxes and […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 25, 2016

Florida’s unemployment rate is at its lowest point in eight years. The state’s unemployment rate dropped to 4.9 percent in February, down from 5.6 percent a year earlier. That’s significantly down from December 2010, when the state’s unemployment rate was 10.7 percent. February’s jobless rate was down .1 percent from January’s 5 percent. In a […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 17, 2016

Relief could be coming for some South Florida small businesses impacted by the Lake Okeechobee discharges. On Thursday, Gov. Rick Scott activated Florida’s Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program for more than 100 businesses affected by the releases. The move comes after theFlorida Department of Economic Opportunity conducted a survey to assess the economic damages […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 8, 2016

The heads of two more state agencies are keeping their jobs. The Florida Senate on Tuesday confirmed dozens of Gov. Rick Scott appointees, including Cissy Proctor, the executive director Department of Economic Opportunities, and Lottery Secretary Tom Delacenserie. Proctor’s confirmation flew through all of its committee stops. Scott selected Proctor to lead the agency last […]

Ryan RayFebruary 18, 2016

Florida TaxWatch trumpeted the release of a new report Thursday morning, in which the conservative watchdog group endorsed plans to keep tax dollars flowing to economic incentives along the lines of those favored by Gov. Rick Scott, including $250 million Scott has requested for a dedicated fund for Enterprise Florida business recruitment efforts. The report titled “A […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 22, 2016

Three years after announcing Hertz was moving its global headquarters to Southwest Florida, Gov. Rick Scott was back to celebrate the grand opening of the company’s new headquarters. “I ran for governor … five years ago on a jobs platform,” said Scott, a Naples Republican, during an event Friday. “I like anybody that adds jobs, […]

Tag: Cissy Proctor

Concern over future leads Florida consumer sentiment to drop in April

Florida’s unemployment rate was 4.9% in March

Floridians’ consumer confidence rose in March

Granite manufacturer relocates headquarters to Tampa, brings 50 jobs

SquareTrade expansion to add 60 jobs, $500K investment in Orlando

Florida’s unemployment rate dips .1 percent to 4.9 statewide

Rick Scott activates emergency loan program for small businesses impacted by Lake O discharges

Florida Senate confirms Cissy Proctor, Tom Delacenserie

Florida TaxWatch backs Enterprise Florida fund, economic incentives

Rick Scott announces December job numbers at Hertz HQ grand opening