As we look forward to a bright new year, it’s always a good idea to look back and celebrate the successes of the year we are leaving behind.
Florida’s economy continued to see strong economic growth in 2016. Since Gov. Rick Scott took office five years ago, more than 1.25 million people have new jobs and a chance to provide for their families.
Florida continues to beat the nation and other large states in the growth rate of private sector jobs, GDP and labor force.
Our strong economic performance has many Florida residents looking forward to the new year. Consumer confidence, which measures how optimistic consumers feel about the state’s economy, rose nearly seven points in December to reach the highest level of the year.
Meanwhile, Florida’s housing market showed strength at the end of the year with the median sales price for single-family homes up 10 percent from the previous year and home sales increasing 12 percent over the past year. More than 1,000 people move to Florida each day, and we continue to invest in infrastructure and build new homes, schools and roads to support this exciting growth.
As we start a new year, it is great to see Florida building upon our economic success with strong economic indicators. By making investments we need to attract jobs and keeping taxes low, Florida families are able to live their dreams in 2017 and beyond.
– Cissy Proctor, DEO Executive Director