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Tuesday's Afternoon Update
What You Need to Know About Florida Today
State tax collections expected to fall sharply
State economists are predicting that Florida's tax collections will fall short by $1.3 billion to $1.7 billion over the next two years. Economists began meeting Tuesday to draw up a new forecast on state tax collections amid signs that Florida's economy has been stalling over the last few months. Gov. Rick Scott and legislative leaders will rely on these forecasts to determine whether more cuts will be needed in 2012 to schools, health care and other state programs. Scott is already making it clear he still plans to push for more tax cuts despite the drop in tax collections. He will begin rolling out his legislative agenda over the next few weeks. [Source: AP]CEO Sounding Board
Todd Kocourek, President of Florida First Capital Finance tells us: "We are partners and allies in trying to solve these problems, but they're big problems." |
Key West authorized to offer flights to Cuba
Add Key West International Airport to the list of U.S. airports authorized to offer flights to Cuba.
But because it's small, Key West only can send planes with 10 passengers or less to Cuban airports, U.S. officials said.
Larger airports such as Fort Lauderdale offer charters to Cuba on jets sometimes with 150 passengers or more.
For years, just three U.S. airports were approved for U.S-Cuba flights: Miami, Los Angeles and New York's JFK. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Miami art gallery owner to launch auction house
Miami art gallery owner Gary Nader went to an auction in London this summer with a budget in mind. He couldn't keep it.
"I spent $2 million on those ceramics," he said, gesturing to 11 pieces by Picasso. "I expected to pay $100,000."
Nader, a longtime art dealer, hopes to bring that kind of bidding frenzy to Miami when he launches an auction house during Art Basel Miami Beach in December.
[Source: Miami Herald]
UWF taking proposals for business grants
The University of West Florida Office of Economic Development and Engagement on Monday began accepting proposals for grant funding to promote business development and research in Northwest Florida.
Earlier this year, Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill that appointed the school's economic-development office to manage and administer $30 million over the next three years to aid in job creation and economic diversification.
[Source: Pensacola News-Journal]
Twitter for your business
There is a proliferation of neat new technologies businesses can use to communicate with their customers. As these numbers continue to grow, the problem becomes determining which technology to embrace. Twitter is one that has great potential to benefit businesses, particularly if their customer base is under 40 years of age. When I was first introduced to Twitter, my initial impression was that everyone was making a big deal about nothing. In time however, I have come to see the value in it. This technology really can be effective and, for most businesses, is worth a closer look. Read more from Dr. Osteryoung in Florida Small Business.
Out of the (Toy) Box |
