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Florida Leads Nation In Job Growth, But Unemployment Rate Goes Up

WUFT | By Associated Press
Published March 13, 2017 at 6:17 PM EDT
In this July 19, file photo, a job applicant attends a job fair in Miami Lakes, Fla. The Labor Department says applications for jobless aid rose by 20,000 to a seasonally adjusted 243,000, up from a 44-year-low 223,000 the week before, on March 9. The four-week average, which is less volatile, blipped up by 2,250 to 236,500. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
In this July 19, file photo, a job applicant attends a job fair in Miami Lakes, Fla. The Labor Department says applications for jobless aid rose by 20,000 to a seasonally adjusted 243,000, up from a 44-year-low 223,000 the week before, on March 9. The four-week average, which is less volatile, blipped up by 2,250 to 236,500. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

Florida's unemployment rate is inching back up again.

State officials on Monday announced that the rate rose to 5 percent in January. That's higher than the overall national unemployment rate.

The state, however, did add 54,300 jobs during January and has gained nearly 300,000 jobs over the past year. Florida added more jobs in that month than any other state in the nation. Texas added 51,300 jobs and New York added 28,700.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott lauded the new jobs numbers during a stop at a tool and equipment rental business in Bonita Springs. Scott used the announcement to criticize the Florida House again for voting in favor of a bill that would shutter the state's economic development agency.

Monroe County had the state's lowest unemployment rate at 3.5 percent.
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Business and Development Rick ScottFloridavotingjobsbusinessFlorida Housestatebillunemployment
Associated Press
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