Florida’s consumer confidence and optimism about the recession rose in the month of March.
Chris McCarty, director of UF’s Survey Research Center and director of the Bureau of Economic and Business Research, said the jump was unexpected.
He said this increased optimism indicates, in terms of the economy, Floridians feel they are better off.
But Florida doesn’t match the national statistics.
McCarty said as a whole, confidence is down nationwide.
The survey was from March 13 to March 21 and polled 416 individuals.
Consumer confidence rose from 73 points to 76 points, and personal finances now compared to a year ago increased four points to 68, according to the survey.
However, expectations of personal finances a year from now fell two points to 72.
McCarty said the fact that Florida’s unemployment rate, at 7.8, is 0.1 percent lower than the U.S. could have contributed to the rise.
“It is the first time in quite some time that Florida has been under the U.S.,” he said.
But McCarty said this is a temporary turning point for Florida.
“There will be effects that Floridians can feel,” he said. “It will just take a little time.”
However, not everyone is as optimistic.
Camille Jamshidi, an 18-year-old UF health science freshman, said she was unsure about the health of the economy.
“It’s looking like it could go up,” she said. “But I’m not certain if it could get better.”
Contact Alexa Volland at avolland@alligator.org.
