Throughout the past three years, the economy in Florida has grown a total of 9.9 percent, from $728 billion to its current level. According to the most recent Did You Know released by the Florida Chamber Foundation, Florida’s economy continues to grow.
This is a growing trend. In fact, a recent report by the Wall Street Journal suggests Florida is now a model for economic growth for the nation. Indeed, four years ago Florida saw its unemployment grow to more than 11 percent under the Crist administration. And while our work is far from over in securing Florida’s future, Florida’s unemployment rate is now less than the national average and continues to remain below the national average. Florida’s fourth grade reading scores are number two in the world only behind Hong Kong.
Florida’s private sector has created more than 500,000 jobs in the past three years, jobs that come from companies like Pratt & Whitney and AppRiver. These companies are creating their own Florida stories and, along the way, supporting the economies of their communities and their state. Pratt & Whitney is bringing more than 100 jobs to West Palm Beach while AppRiver’s CEO Michael Murdoch has taken the Gulf Breeze-headquartered company from Georgia to around the world. Such has been the success of AppRiver, they were recently awarded Governor Rick Scott’s Ambassador Award for their success.
“It was great to be recognized by the state of Florida for creating jobs, especially in a down economy,” said Murdoch. “Even during the recession we were adding customers, which I think is a testament to the company and the services we are providing and the market that we are in.”
In a recent interview on the Florida Chamber’s Bottom Line, Murdoch explained that the market for business security software is worldwide and Florida’s business friendly climate allows AppRiver to compete globally from Gulf Breeze, Florida. “Even in a down economy, companies have to have technology to be efficient and compete,” said Murdoch.
Throughout the state, we see more and more companies expanding and growing- and we welcome them with open arms to our increasingly business friendly climate.
Connect With Us:
Share your story with use. Email kbustamante@flchamber.com, to share your business story. Contact bswanson@flchamber.com to see how you can get involved in our fight to secure Florida’s future.