One week after it was announced that the United States economy added 288,000 jobs in the month of June, which pleased economic analysts and market watchers, the state of Florida was lauded for being one of the leaders in job growth, according to a new report released by ADP and Moody’s Analytics.
The ADP Regional Employment Report found that Florida added 22,620 private sector jobs last month, a rate that is higher than the national average – the south and west still outperformed the northeast and Midwest in June, despite having their strongest month since November of last year.
When it comes to sectors, the service-providing aspect provided a majority of the employment gains with 20,630, while the goods-producing sector only contributed a paltry 1,990 jobs.
Industries in The Sunshine State to lead the job gains were trade, transportation and utilities, which contributed the bulk of the jobs with 5,400. Professional and business services added 
3,890 jobs, while natural resources, mining and construction added 2,260 jobs. Manufacturing remained weak as it lost 270 jobs.
Florida will release its unemployment rate and job numbers for the state on Jul. 18.
California, Texas and Florida all maintained job growth well above the national average.
Florida is still expecting to continue adding jobs as it has been reported that hundreds of jobs are being created in the southwest region of Florida. Alta Resources, which handles customer service and health insurance calls for large firms, announced that it is hiring double the number of part-time employees this year as it did last year.
“We’re excited to be bringing the jobs to the Fort Myers area this fall,” said Paul Makurat, marketing director of Alta Resources, in an interview with a local news outlet. “I think we’re going to be able to hire that number. I wouldn’t have taken on the task if I didn’t think we could. I think that speaks to the type of people we hire in Southwest Florida.”
It was also reported last week that the White House said that blocking Medicaid expansion would lead to Florida losing 63,000 jobs, particularly in the healthcare sector, within the next three years, according to a study by the Council of Economic Advisers entitled “Missed Opportunities.”
The study was part of an ongoing effort by the Obama administration to make the Affordable Care Act (ACA) a success. However, Florida legislators have considered alternatives to Medicaid expansion, but officials say there is likely little room for negotiation with the federal government.
“I applaud the governors and state legislatures of both parties who have done the right thing and expanded Medicaid in their states, and I urge the governors and state legislatures who have not yet expanded Medicaid to put their constituents’ health over partisan politics and give millions more Americans the access to affordable health care they deserve,” the president said in a statement.
Florida Republican Governor Rick Scott, who is facing a tough re-election challenge in his Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist, has yet to comment on the White House report.
