State forecasts 1 million jobs

TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity recent released a report in which it forecasts that the state will add more than 1 million jobs by 2020.

But, according to the September report, of the 1 million jobs forecasted in the next eight years, 80% will be regaining jobs lost during the recent economic downturn. The state is projected to gain jobs at an annual growth rate of 1.6%, and economists estimate that Florida's unemployment rate will decline to 6.5% by 2020.

Although the report say all major industry sectors except natural resources and mining will see employment gains, only five of the 12 sectors are projected to exceed their pre-recession employment levels.