Florida ranked No. 1 for skilled workforce strengths
Lightcast has ranked Florida No. 1 for the second year in a row for attracting and developing a skilled workforce, according to a state news release.
Lightcast’s Talent Attraction Scorecard evaluates states based on job growth, education attainment, regional competitiveness and migration data.
“It is no surprise that Lightcast has named Florida the No. 1 state for talent attraction for two consecutive years,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said, in the release. “Florida’s record investments in workforce education, including expanding apprenticeship and on-the-job training programs in high demand professions, have elevated business and industry through strong workforce development.”
Florida also earned high rankings on the scorecard in other categories, including:
- No. 2 for migration
- No. 2 for competitive effect
- No. 4 for skilled job growth
- No. 5 for overall job growth
“Florida continues to be a model for the nation under Gov. DeSantis’ leadership with workforce development strategies that meet job seekers and job creators where they are,” said Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly, in the release. “Florida’s proactive approach to economic development and key investments in workforce training move our nation-leading economy forward.”
Economic drivers in Pasco, Florida and across the U.S.
Learn about key economic drivers in Pasco County, Florida and across the United States during a luncheon presented by the Pasco Economic Development Council on Jan. 18, at the Hilton Garden Inn Suncoast Parkway, 2155 Northpointe Parkway in Lutz.
Check-in and networking are from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and the luncheon and presentation are from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Ben Friedman, economic development specialist at Duke Energy, will provide an overview on the economy in Pasco and across Florida, while Brian Barker, chief investment officer at SouthState Bank, will focus on a look back at the nation’s economy from 2023 and an outlook into 2024.
The cost is $35 and RSVPs are needed by Jan. 11. For more information, visit the Pasco EDC website at PascoEDC.com.
Pasco/Hernando SCORE Mentoring
Pasco Hernando SCORE offers free confidential small business mentoring. Our volunteer business experts will provide free assistance to small business owners to help solve their problems and grow their business. To request a mentor, visit SCORE.org/pascohernando .
States with largest and smallest credit decrease in 2023
The personal-finance website WalletHub has released a report on the States Where Credit Limits Decreased the Most in 2023.
According to that report, Mississippi ranked No. 1 in the largest credit limit decrease and Florida was among the states with the lowest decrease, coming in at No. 42.
Cassandra Happe, a WalletHub analyst, notes that a credit limit decrease can significantly influence one’s financial landscape, from planning major purchases to simple day-to-day spending.
Carrying a higher balance in relation to your credit limit will have a big impact on your credit utilization ratio, Happe says. This ratio measures the amount of credit in use compared to the overall credit limit, and it plays a crucial role in determining one’s credit score. A higher ratio can negatively affect credit scores, making it essential for individuals to reassess their spending habits and exercise financial discipline, she adds.
“A credit limit decrease can pose a challenge, by making daily purchases less convenient, disrupting your cash flow, increasing your credit utilization, and hurting your credit score. But it may also be an opportunity to improve your financial habits,” Happe says. “Embracing this opportunity for greater fiscal responsibility involves careful budgeting and timely bill payments. By actively managing your finances within the revised limits, you can not only mitigate the short-term effects on your credit score but also cultivate healthier financial habits for long-term stability.”
Here are some tips for managing credit:
- Use Multiple Cards: Consider using multiple credit cards for your purchases instead of maxing out one card. This can help you spread out your balances and keep your credit utilization low. Also, using different credit cards that each offer good rewards on a different type of purchase or at a particular retailer can be beneficial in the long run. Many major retailers have their own cards, which are easy to get and often offer good rewards.
- Pay your bills multiple times a month: To keep more of your credit limit available, you can make multiple payments throughout the month so you maintain a lower balance. This won’t always be possible, but if you can pull it off, it will help prevent purchases from being declined because your limit is maxed out. It will also help your credit score by keeping your credit utilization as low as possible.
- If one credit card company decreases your credit limit, contact your other credit card issuers and inquire about increasing your credit limits with them. If you have a good payment history and credit score, you may be successful, which can help improve your credit utilization. Be sure to keep in mind that asking for a higher credit limit can trigger a hard inquiry of your credit report, so if you need the best possible score in the next few months, you may want to avoid requesting an increase.
- Consistently paying your bill on time and using only a portion of your existing limit can also lead to an automatic credit limit increase. There’s no hard inquiry with an automatic increase.
To read WalletHub’s full report on where credit limits decreased, visit WalletHub.com/edu/states-where-credit-limits-decreased-the-most/131198.
