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Florida's Job Growth Slowed Down In March

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TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) — Despite seeing the state's unemployment rate dip slightly, Florida's job growth is slowing down.

State officials say Florida's unemployment rate dropped to 4.9 percent in March. That's lower than the national jobless rate of 5 percent.

Back in January the state added the highest number of jobs in the nation. But in March Florida only added 3,000 jobs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics listed 13 other states that added more jobs.

Gov. Rick Scott announced the jobless numbers during a stop at a Tampa distribution center. In a statement, Scott emphasized the total number of private sector jobs since January and did not mention the slowdown.

Monroe County, home to Key West, had the state's lowest unemployment rate at 3.1 percent. Hendry County had the highest at 7.3 percent.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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