Report estimates federal stimulus created or saved 87,000 jobs in Fla. during last quarter

Report: Stimulus saves, creates 87,700 Fla. jobs

TALLAHASSE, Fla. — A preliminary state report estimates the federal stimulus program directly and indirectly created or saved at least 87,000 jobs in Florida during the last quarter of 2009.

That compares to about 1.1 million Floridians who were unemployed in December.

The report was issued Friday by Gov. Charlie Crist’s Office of Economic Recovery.

It credits 25,186 full-time-equivalent jobs directly to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act although 53,772 workers benefited.

That’s because the full-time number is reduced for workers employed for less than the full quarter and for those whose salaries are only partly paid with federal money.

The final estimate is expected to change because some data is still being gathered.