Florida’s Unemployment Rate
Dropped in January
By KEVIN DERB
On Monday, the Florida Department of
Economic Opportunity (DEO) announced
that the state unemployment rate hit a
record low in January before coronavirus
impacted the Sunshine State.
In January, the unemployment rate in
Florida stood at 2.8 percent, dropping from
the 2.9 percent rate in December. The
national unemployment rate stood at 3.6
percent in January. Still, DEO was more
concerned on Monday with showcasing
efforts to boost the economy as it faces the
threat of coronavirus.
“The state of Florida is working to maintain
the business-friendly climate our state is
known for. Florida is closely monitoring
COVID-19 and the impacts it could have
on businesses that make Florida their
home. The state is working with federal
and state partners to ensure the safety and
well-being of all Floridians while ensuring
businesses are supported. Yesterday, March
15 Governor DeSantis sent a letter to the
federal Small Business Administration (SBA)
requesting to make the Economic Injury
Disaster Loan program available for Florida’s
small businesses impacted by COVID-19,”
DEO noted.
“While our partners across the state work
intensely to stop the spread of COVID-19,
our agency is assessing the resources
Florida’s impacted communities and
businesses may need,” said DEO Executive
Director Ken Lawson on Monday.
In the past year, Florida has seen 164,500
new private-sector jobs including almost
35,000 in education and health services;
almost 31,500 in professional and business
services with 31,400 new jobs; 29,700 new
jobs in leisure and hospitality with 29,700
new jobs; and almost 28,000 new jobs in
trade, transportation and utilities.
Miami-Dade County had the lowest
unemployment rate in the state at 1.5
percent, followed by Monroe County at 2.1
percent, St. Johns County at 2.7 percent and
Okaloosa County at 2.8 percent. Hendry
County had the highest unemployment rate
in the state at 5.1 percent, followed by Citrus
County at 4.9 percent, Hamilton County at
4.7 percent and Sumter County 4.6 percent.
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