The United States economy gained 194,000 jobs in the month of September, severely missing economists’ expectations. However, Florida alone gained 84,500 jobs during the same period, leading the nation in terms of the largest percentage increase.

“We are outpacing the nation in job growth and job opportunities because businesses know that Florida will stand up for them,” said DeSantis in the release. “Despite tremendous national headwinds and economic uncertainty, Florida has reached a level of job growth only seen on four other occasions in the past 30 years. We will continue to work hard to keep Florida open, free and built for opportunity.”

DeSantis was one of the first governors to pull his state from enhanced federal unemployment checks funded by President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan. A recent report from the Foundation for Government Accountability — a Florida-based think tank seeking to reform welfare initiatives — confirms that DeSantis’ decision to end the handouts paid significant dividends for the state’s job market.