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.
FloridaCommerce has reported a 1.1% increase in total nonagricultural employment for the Pensacola metro area in June 2024, translating to an addition of 2,200 jobs over the past year. The private sector in Pensacola saw a growth of 1,500 jobs, or 0.9%, during the same period.
Genetics studies have confirmed what many anglers and biologists have long believed: Florida bass are distinct. The American Fisheries Society has officially recognized the Florida bass as a separate species from the largemouth bass. Consequently, in most of Florida (excluding the western Panhandle), what was previously known as a largemouth bass is now referred to as a Florida bass.
As the sun rose over the central Florida prairie on July 16, a significant event in conservation history occurred with the release of the 1,000th conservation-bred Florida grasshopper sparrow into the wild. This milestone took place at Avon Park Air Force Range, accompanied by nine other sparrows.
Floridians who sustained losses from the severe storms and tornadoes on May 10 have one month remaining to apply for federal assistance. The deadline for applications is August 19, 2024.
Steve Ellis, the vice president of liability practices at the consulting firm Sedgwick, stated that trial attorneys have not fully adapted to tort reform measures implemented in Florida last year. Ellis shared his insights during a June 7 episode of the Sedgwick podcast titled "The latest in litigation."
The car-buying experience is a crucial factor for dealerships in today’s competitive landscape. However, evaluating and refining this experience can be challenging, as dealerships traditionally convert less than 8% of their internet leads. This is where AI-powered tools come in.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Floridians will soon gain access to the Atlantic Coast Conference's (ACC) media rights contracts central to Florida State University's (FSU) legal battle to leave the conference. Attorney General Ashley Moody secured an agreement from the ACC’s attorneys to release these documents following her legal action demanding compliance with Florida’s Public Records Act.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Amendment 6, which seeks to eliminate Florida’s long-standing public campaign financing program, is set to appear on the November 2024 ballot. The amendment aims to remove public funding that supports candidate diversity and helps reduce excessive campaign spending.
The Florida Chamber of Commerce has announced its second round of legislative endorsements for the 2024 elections. These candidates were vetted by the business community through the Florida Chamber Political Institute’s Candidate Interview process, which spanned five cities over six weeks and involved more than 80 business organizations interviewing over 100 candidates for state legislative office.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—On National Lottery Day, Attorney General Ashley Moody is warning Floridians of scams involving lotteries, prizes, and sweepstakes. According to the Federal Trade Commission, scams involving prizes, sweepstakes, and lotteries caused nearly $340 million in financial losses to consumers last year and were the third-most commonly reported scam across the nation. Attorney General Moody is issuing tips for Floridians to avoid being swindled.
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), Florida's leading small business advocacy organization, has announced the Florida PAC’s initial endorsements for candidates running for the Florida Legislature. The NFIB’s Florida PAC consists of NFIB members from across the state.
Recognizing the essential role manufacturing plays in the growth of a diverse economy, one of the Florida 2030 Blueprint’s goals is to significantly grow Florida into a top five state for manufacturing jobs. Since the release of the Blueprint in 2018, Florida has added 58,300 manufacturing jobs, now ranking #11 in the country—surpassing New York and trailing Georgia by 8,000 jobs. In 2010, the Florida Chamber Foundation released the first Trade and Logistics Report. Then-Governor Scott used this report to advocate for deepening PortMiami and accelerating logistics and...
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced that the Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement has arrested Tyler Stephen Meldrim, 23, in connection with a wildfire that occurred on April 27, 2024, in Santa Rosa County. Meldrim faces one count of Intentional Burning of Lands under Florida Statute 590.28, a third-degree felony.