Gov. Rick Scott credits strong economic growth in Florida for a 2.1 percent increase in June’s consumer confidence level, which stood at 96.4 last month.

Scott says nearly 75,000 new business have opened in Florida in the past seven years, that’s a 16.5 percent increase in the number of private-sector employers in the state during that period of time.

“We have worked hard to diversify our economy by cutting taxes and reducing burdensome regulations to make Florida the most business-friendly state in the nation,” Scott said in a statement. “Our economy is on a roll, and with the creation of the new $85 million Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to promote public infrastructure projects and job training projects, we will continue to welcome job creators to our state and help create opportunities for future generations.”

The latest numbers were released Tuesday afternoon by Scott and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

“Florida’s rising consumer sentiment shows Floridians are confident in the state’s economic growth and I am proud that we’ve created an environment that fosters this confidence and encourages new business growth,” said FDEO Executive Director Cissy Proctor.

The Florida Consumer Sentiment Index is calculated by the University of Florida’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research. The index measures five indicators that reflect consumers’ feelings about the economy:

• A person’s financial situation compared to a year ago.
• A person’s expected financial situation a year from now.
• Expected national economic conditions over the next year.
• Expected national economic conditions over the next five years.
• Whether now is a good time to buy major household items.

The state is hoping that the creation of the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund will help generate additional economic growth in the state.

The state Legislature created the $85 million grant program during last month’s special session. The program is intended to provide funding for job training programs and infrastructure improvements designed to encourage more businesses to come to Florida.