Press Release from the Governor's Press Office:

TAMPA – Governor Charlie Crist today visited the Florida State Fair and applauded the event’s importance to Florida’s economy statewide. According to an economic impact study conducted by the University of South Florida Center for Economic Development in 2006, the Florida State Fair Authority creates 1,267 jobs statewide and has an economic impact of $171.4 million in sales and over $43.3 million in wages. Organized under the leadership of Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson, the 2009 Florida State Fair opened Thursday, February 5, and runs through Monday, February 16. Later today, as part of his ongoing focus on strengthening Florida’s economy, Governor Crist will visit the Workforce Central Florida center in Orlando.

“I commend Commissioner Bronson for his leadership in showcasing at the Florida State Fair all that Florida has to offer – our climate, our agriculture and our quality of life,” Governor Crist said. “Floridians are some of the most innovative entrepreunuers in our country, and I am committed to increasing our capacity for economic growth and higher-paying jobs for our people.”

The Florida State Fair is a Sunshine State tradition in its 105th year. In 1975, the Florida Legislature created the Florida State Fair Authority and designated the annual event in Tampa as the official Florida State Fair. In 1995, the Florida State Legislature put the fairgrounds and the Florida State Fair Authority under the administration of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The Florida State Fair Authority oversees the fair and the fairgrounds buildings and programs throughout the year.

While addressing the Florida State Fair Governor’s Luncheon, Governor Crist spoke of his support for the federal stimulus package and plans to discuss the impact to Florida with President Barack Obama in Fort Myers tomorrow.

“I continue to work with my colleagues and members of our Congressional delegation to ensure Florida receives our fair share,” Governor Crist said. “We want Florida to be positioned to use the money quickly in ways that jumpstart our economy.”

Workforce Central Florida is the workforce center serving Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Sumter counties. While visiting the center today, the Governor will applaud the workforce center for its efforts in helping residents seeking job placement assistance, which include career counseling, workshops and use of the computers for job searches. Businesses, organizations and educational institutions also use the center’s services to list available positions on the Employ Florida Marketplace at EmployFlorida.com, the state’s powerful job matching and talent bank tool. There is no charge to businesses or job seekers for the services available on the Employ Florida Marketplace. During recent weeks, Governor Crist has visited workforce centers in Brevard, Leon, Osceola, Hillsborough and Palm Beach counties.

For more information about Florida’s workforce-system partners including Workforce Florida, the Agency for Workforce Innovation, 24 regional workforce boards and more than 80 One-Stop Centers that provide employment and training services and resources to businesses, workers and job seekers, go to www.EmployFlorida.com.