Local

Fla.'s unemployment rate remains flat 7.1 percent

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Rick Scott announced Thursday the unemployment rate has been unchanged since May, when the rate dropped from the previous month.

The rate is, however, a significant drop from June 2012, when unemployment was 8.8 percent.
 
The actual number of jobs created in the state increased by 9,300.
 
In a statement, Scott's office noted the unemployment rate remains below the national average of 7.6 percent for the fourth consecutive month. Scott said the state's June unemployment rate will continue to contribute to a long-term trend of decreasing unemployment.

According to Workforce Central Florida, the unemployment rate in the region, which is comprised of Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Sumter counties, was 6.9 percent in June. The region’s jobless rate was down 1.9 percentage points from 8.8 percent a year ago. Out of a labor force of 1,204,818, there were 82,774 unemployed residents in the region.

State economists released an analysis in June showing a key reason for the unemployment decline has been people leaving the labor force or delaying their search for a job.