Like the other 305 metropolitan areas in the United states that experienced some growth in 2012, the Tampa Bay Area expanded economically more quickly in 2012 than it has in recent years. The Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metro area grew faster at 3.1 percent beyond the national average of 2.5 in 2013. According to a report published in the Tampa Bay Times, the area’s true big winners were the financial services and trade services sector, which experienced resounding growth.
However, not all economic sectors in the metro area saw improvement in the past year. Transportation and utilities; government, education and health services; and natural resources and mining all experienced significant declines. The report, written by Robert Trigaux, went on to state that while “Florida’s monthly unemployment rate dipping in August from 7.1 to 7 percent is hardly a jaw-dropping change..[it] at least moves us in the right direction.”
While The Sunshine State experienced considerable economic growth in 2012-2013, several metro areas experienced GDP declines—including Tallahassee, Gainesville, Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, and Panama City. Nevertheless, good news abounds:
Nineteen of Florida’s 22 metro areas enjoyed over-the-year job gains in August. The winners: Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater (+3.6 percent), Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach-Deerfield Beach (+3.1 percent) and Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford (+1.9 percent).
Statewide, Florida created 131,400 jobs in the past year, topped only by Texas (+274,700) and California (+223,900). Better yet, Florida’s 1.6 percentage point drop in unemployment was the biggest decline of any state in the past year.
Economic growth and high employment rates prove that Florida is one of the best states to settle in right now. Those who are interested in settling down in Florida would be glad to know that real estate is on the rebound, too. Current homeowners who are interested in selling their homes can increase the resale value of their properties by hiring contractors that specialize in residential roofing in Dunedin, FL, like Arry’s Roofing.
These experienced Dunedin, FL roofers can repair existing roofing systems as well as install new ones using durable materials like metal, asphalt shingles, and tile. Residential roofs in optimal condition possess greater curb appeal and resale value. In addition, functional and well-maintained residential roofs also provide maximum protection to the occupants of the home. As Pinellas County is notorious for its frequent storms, having roofs inspected and repaired regularly will ensure that they remain stable when they’re being battered by heavy rains and strong winds.
(Info from As Florida jobless rate nudges lower, a closer look behind the numbers; Tampa Bay Times; September 23, 2013)
