The jobs news is good for the state of Florida and especially good here in Brevard County. According to the Department of Economic Opportunity, the number of employed people here in the county rose by nearly 11,000 to just over a quarter-million. At the same time, the number of unemployed dipped slightly from this time in 2016.
It is good news for entrepreneurs ready to start a new business here in the county as well as positive news for those who already have commercial ventures up and running.
A recent article posted on the Florida Today website went over some of the upbeat jobs data for Brevard and the state, including the growing labor force in the county: up 10,500 over last year’s labor pool.
When you put some of the numbers together, the Brevard unemployment rate has dropped to 5 percent, down from last year’s 5.3 percent. The state has an identical current unemployment rate, which is the same as it was at this point in 2016.
Brevard industries seeing jobs increases include the following:
- Construction: 8.7 percent (2,900 additional jobs)
- Manufacturing: 7.4 percent (1,600 jobs)
- Education and health: 5.2 percent (1,800 jobs)
- Leisure and hospitality: 4.2 percent (1,100 jobs)
- Services: 3 percent (up 5,200 jobs)
Lynda Weatherman, president and chief executive officer of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast, said, “This is just the beginning.” She said more strong jobs growth is expected here and that the report is especially heartening considering the economic condition the area was in six years ago when recession and cutbacks at the Kennedy Space Center dominated the news.
Entrepreneurs ready to take advantage of the upward trends can speak with an attorney experienced in resolution of business formation issues, as well as helping with partnership and shareholder agreements and reviewing franchise agreements and commercial leases.