Gov. Rick Scott applauds job growth, says budget is running low

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Governor Rick Scott visited Fort Myers to discuss the latest job numbers in Southwest Florida.

The press conference was held at Storm Smart, a manufacturing company that makes products to protect homes and businesses in hurricanes. In 2012, Storm Smart had 83 employees and now they have 147 and are expected to double in size.

Gov. Scott says manufacturing companies like Storm Smart are key for job growth. However, the state is running out of money to lure in companies like this one.

“Our legislator needs to give us more funding for Enterprise Florida. Enterprise Florida is our economic development arm of the state. We’re down to our last 9 million dollars,” Gov. Scott said.

The governor originally asked lawmakers for $85 million to help lure in new industries, but the legislators approved half of that saying the program has not spent all of its money in recent years.

The unemployment rate in the state of Florida is 5.4% which is the lowest it’s been in the seven years.

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