2012: A Promising Economic and Job Outlook
With the New Year in full swing, many Floridians are curious to see where the economy will head this year. According to recent national data, unemployment had finally dipped to 8.5%, while nonfarm payroll employment rose in December 2011. The labor department also recorded significant increases in transportation, retail trade, and health care jobs to name a few. Construction employment also saw an increase, which will help offset the two previous months, and give us a positive outlook on new real estate. Generally speaking, fewer Americans are jobless which strengthens the economy as a whole. Florida closed out 2011 in good fashion as far as the unemployment rate goes. The last two months reported the second sharpest decline (2.1%) of unemployment in the country, only falling behind New Mexico. Tampa, Miami, and Jacksonville will to have to carry the state through 2012 if we are going to see the unemployment rate drop, and stay, below 8%. Tourism and travel could also lend a helpin...