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Gov. Scott Celebrates MAKO Expansion In Davie

DAVIE (CBS4) - Governor Rick Scott got a first shot at a mock hip surgery with a robotic arm, during a tour of South Florida's MAKO Surgical Corporation.

MAKO is expanding its operations in Davie, bringing 100 new jobs to South Florida.

"We're excited that a company like MAKO would start here, stay here, expand here and we look forward not just to the next 100 jobs, but to the next 1000 jobs," said Governor Scott during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the MAKO headquarters.

Economic experts say technological jobs like designing and manufacturing robotic arms are very important for Florida, considering the state relies so heavily on tourism.

"Every job is important, I want to make sure all of our industries do well," said Governor Scott.

Florida needs educated, skilled employees to fill those technology-based positions.

Nova Southeastern University President George Hanbury told CBS4's Natalia Zea that science and math are key, but that college education doesn't need a complete overhaul.

"I don't want to de-emphasize the liberal arts but at the same time many, many things can come out of those individuals who have the skills in the graduate engineering and technology."

Governor Scott trumpeted Florida's latest jobs numbers, showing unemployment is down a tenth of a point. But it is still a point and a half higher than the national average.

"We're heading in the right direction but we still have 900 thousand people out of work, so every day I'm calling on companies making sure we're the number 1 place to do business," said Governor Scott.

The Governor maintains that de-regulation and corporate tax breaks will help unemployed Floridians get their hands and minds on the newest technology around.

To learn more about Governor Scott's jobs plan click here: http://www.floridajobs.org/

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