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Staff ReportsMay 26, 2017

Florida’s gross domestic product grew by 3 percent last year, outpacing both the national rate of 1.5 percent and the other large states, Gov. Rick Scott announced Friday. “This great news is further proof that our economy is booming and we must stay focused on continuing this growth so Florida can out compete other locations […]

Staff ReportsMay 25, 2017

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) on Wednesday invited “communities across Florida to submit proposals for three grant funding opportunities for the upcoming fiscal year,” according to a press release. The department “is committed to using our resources and tools to help all Florida communities and their residents flourish,” DEO Executive Director Cissy Proctor […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 21, 2017

Florida’s unemployment rate is dropping. The state Department of Economic Opportunity announced Friday the unemployment rate dipped to 4.8 percent in March, down from 5 percent one month earlier. That’s slightly lower than March 2016, when the state reported a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 4.9 percent. “This is an exciting day — jobs, jobs, […]

Staff ReportsMarch 24, 2017

Florida’s unemployment rate held steady at 5 percent in February. This marks the second month in a row the state’s unemployment rate has been at 5 percent, and mirrors the unemployment rate the state experienced in the first two months of 2016, according to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. The state added 239,800 jobs […]

Michael MolineMarch 22, 2017

Florida is, too, open for business, representatives of the state’s economic development arm and business insisted during a panel discussion organized by the Florida Chamber of Commerce Wednesday. “We’re a high performing business that’s open for business. We’ve just temporarily shut down the marketing and sales department. What we’re trying to do is make sure […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 13, 2017

Florida’s unemployment rate ticked up in January, reaching 5 percent for the first time in a year. The January unemployment rate marks a slight uptick from December, when state officials reported an unemployment rate of 4.9 percent. The statewide rate is higher than the national unemployment rate of 4.8 percent. Despite the increase in the […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 13, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott met with Lee County community and business leaders, holding the first in a series of round table discussions across the state meant to rally support for Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida funding. “Right now, I’m going to fight every day to make sure we keep this funding because it’s good for your […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 8, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott has now sicced the Department of Economic Opportunity, headed by executive director Cissy Proctor, on the Florida House to take down its critique of economic incentives. A news release, issued late Tuesday, continues the cold war of words between the governor, an ardent supporter of incentives, and House Speaker Richard Corcoran, who has […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 1, 2017

A Florida appellate court has ruled that a former Uber driver isn’t entitled to unemployment benefits because he was an independent contractor, not an employee. A unanimous three-judge panel of the 3rd District Court of Appeal in Miami ruled Wednesday for the Department of Economic Opportunity, the state’s jobs agency, against Darrin E. McGillis. The […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 20, 2017

Florida’s unemployment rate remained unchanged in December, holding steady at 4.9 percent for the second month in a row. State officials, however, touted gains made in 2016, boasting Florida businesses created 237,300 private sector jobs in 2016. “Over the last six years, we’ve worked each day to make it easier for job creators to invest […]

Tag: Department of Economic Opportunity

Rick Scott: Florida GDP continues to outpace national growth rate

DEO seeks applicants for grant opportunities

Florida’s unemployment rate dips to 4.8% in March

Florida’s unemployment rate holds steady at 5%

At Florida Chamber gathering, a vigorous defense of economic incentives

Florida’s unemployment rate ticks up to 5% in January

Rick Scott talks Enterprise Florida, Visit Florida with SWFL business, community leaders

DEO “Cissysplains” economic incentives to Richard Corcoran

Fla. court says Uber drivers are independent contractors, not employees

Florida unemployment rate holds steady at 4.9% in December