With jobs, income, and manufacturing on the rise, Florida’s economy seems to be gearing up for a strong quarter.

Lucia Mutikani | Sun Sentinel

A few months ago economists were all but certain the U.S. economy would slow sharply at the start of this year, with many warning that recession risks were growing.

Looking at other factor besides the unemployment rate may show a different ‘job growth’ picture within Florida. Read this article to see a different take on Florida’s economy.

Florida’s December jobs report was far short of an A, but at least the Sunshine State is now gaining jobs at a faster rate. Its scores No. 6 on hiring performance versus other states.

Two of Florida’s metropolitan areas plans for increasing their workforce in 2012 ranks on Forbes’ list for 2012.

Susan Adams | Forbes

Though Florida was hard hit by the 2008 subprime mortgage crisis, and unemployment in the state sits 1.5% above the national average at 10.1%, in the first quarter of 2012, employers in two of Florida’s metropolitan areas are planning to increase their workforces at a rate that outpaces every other metro area in the country, according to employment services firm Manpower Group’s latest employment outlook survey.

Jacksonville is starting to show postive economic indicators, while there is still contradicting data among other indicators.

Drew Dixon | The Florida Times-Union

Jacksonville’s unemployment rate dropped slightly in October and other economic indicators from last month show some nominal signs of optimism, but not much, according to figures released this week.