The monthly job report from the U.S. Department of Labor exceeded expectations, with 255,000 new jobs added on estimates of just 180,000 expected. In this week’s “Economic Report,” Dr. Rick Harper, who leads the University of West Florida Center for Research and Economic Opportunity, spoke with WUWF 88.1-FM’s Bob Barrett about what these strong jobs numbers mean for the local, state and national economies.
“We’re still hovering at just under 5 percent unemployment nationally, here in Florida and locally across the Northwest Florida metro area as well,” Harper said. “The good news is that there is more availability out there, and finally we’re starting to see upward wage movement in the middle of the income distribution showing up across Northwest Florida metro areas.”
To listen the complete report, click here.
