ORLANDO, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis addressed the Florida Sheriffs Association to reaffirm Florida’s support for law enforcement. In Florida, crime remains at a 50-year low due to the Governor’s commitment to law and order.
Last month, closed sales of existing single-family homes statewide totaled 23,183, down 11.1% year-over-year, while existing condo-townhouse sales totaled 8,339, down 20.5% over June 2023, according to data from Florida Realtors Research Department in partnership with local Realtor boards/associations. For the second quarter of 2024, statewide existing single-family home sales totaled 74,117, down 2.2% from the same period in 2023. Statewide existing condo-townhouse sales totaled 28,982 for the quarter, marking a decline of 9.2% year-over-year.
ORLANDO, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis recognized the five Florida 2025 Teacher of the Year finalists. Governor DeSantis presented each finalist with a $20,000 check. The winner, who will be announced at the annual Teacher of the Year gala on Thursday, July 25, will receive additional awards, bringing his or her total award amount to $50,000.
ORLANDO, Fla.—Today, First Lady Casey DeSantis, accompanied by Department of Children and Families Secretary Shevaun Harris and Guardian ad Litem Executive Director Dennis Moore, hosted a hands-on, healthy cooking class for Hope Florida mentors and mentees. The event highlighted the collaboration between Hope Florida and the Guardian ad Litem program, which has facilitated hundreds of mentorship pairings since its inception in September 2023. There remains a significant need for more mentors across Florida to support youth aging out of the foster care system.
Attorney General Ashley Moody continues to advocate for mental health support for Florida law enforcement officers. Today in St. Petersburg, Attorney General Moody addressed the first graduates of Florida’s Law Enforcement Mental Health Certificate at St. Petersburg College. The pilot program is funded through a 2023 state budget allocation supported by Attorney General Moody. The 14 graduates are now certified to help officers struggling with mental health issues in the law enforcement agencies where they serve.
The Insurance Information Institute announced that premium growth has slowed for Florida homeowners following reforms in 2022, which were implemented in response to a surge in litigation. Citizens Property Insurance Corp became the last resort for residential insurance as other insurers either failed or abandoned Florida. The announcement was made in a June 26 blog post.
Makayla Buchanan has been selected for the U.S. Chamber Foundation Education and Workforce Fellowship Program, joining a group of 34 other state and local chamber executives, economic development professionals, and association leaders.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds boaters and divers to practice safe boating and diving habits by maintaining 360-degree awareness and adhering to all divers-down flag regulations.
FloridaCommerce announced today that the Fort Lauderdale metro area leads in job gains over the year in trade, transportation, and utilities (+5,100 jobs); government (+4,200 jobs); and other services (+4,100 jobs). The area’s total nonagricultural employment in June 2024 was 925,500, an increase of 21,100 jobs (+2.3%) over the year. The Fort Lauderdale area’s private sector employment in June 2024 rose by 2.1% (+16,900 jobs) over the year.
FloridaCommerce announced today that the Miami metro area gained the most private sector jobs over the year among all metro areas, adding 35,100 jobs (+3.0%) in June 2024. The area's labor force increased by 2.2% (+30,037) over the same period. Notably, Miami led all metro areas in job gains in three industry sectors: leisure and hospitality (8,400 jobs), professional and business services (8,100 jobs), and construction (5,800 jobs).
ORLANDO, Fla. — FloridaCommerce announced today that the Orlando area private sector employment increased by 15,300 jobs (+1.1%) over the year in June 2024. The industry sectors gaining the most jobs were trade, transportation, and utilities (+4,500 jobs), and education and health services (+4,300 jobs).
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Free State of Florida has emerged as the leading state for first-time homebuyers, according to a new study from WalletHub reported by Fox Business. The study ranked five Florida cities in the top five and six in the top ten. Palm Bay secured the number one spot, followed by Cape Coral, Port St. Lucie, Tampa, and Orlando in second through fifth places respectively. Lakeland also featured prominently in the top ten, ranking seventh.
FloridaCommerce has announced that the West Palm Beach metro area experienced the fastest over-the-year job growth rate in education and health services among all metro areas in the state, adding 6,000 jobs (+5.4%) in June 2024. The labor force in the West Palm Metro area increased by 1,521 in June 2024, marking a year-over-year increase of 0.2%.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — FloridaCommerce announced that the Jacksonville Metro Area’s total nonagricultural employment increased by 12,100 jobs (+1.5%) over the year in June 2024. The area's total private sector jobs rose by 9,400 jobs (+1.3%) over the same period.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Paul “P.J.” Marinelli, Karl Rasmussen, and Morgan Wilbanks and the reappointment of Michael Stephens, Scott Stryker, and Stephanie Wardein to the Florida Greenways and Trails Council.