Tuesday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 5/14/2013

Spending could signal the end of the era of staycations

After years of dipping in backyard pools and exploring neighborhood festivals during so-called summer staycations, Americans may be ready to splurge a bit more this year, giving economic growth and employment a boost. A rebounding housing market, lower gasoline prices and falling joblessness are among reasons households will venture farther from home. More at Businessweek.

Two Titusville companies set for expansion

Two Titusville companies are coming before the Brevard County Commission today, seeking preliminary support for property tax breaks that would help them expand, adding a total of 95 jobs. More at Florida Today.

Seminole to spend $7.4 million to buy land for sports complex

Business Profile

Lifecycle Containers

Pensacola architect Allen Bounds turned his concern about cutting waste into a company, which recently passed the million-pound mark in recycled materials. Last year, Lifecycle Containers grew 198% and looks to see another 200% uptick this year.

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Seminole County commissioners today agreed to spend $7.4 million to buy almost 100 acres near the Orlando Sanford International Airport to build a sports complex that would draw teams from across the country for tournaments. More at the Orlando Sentinel.

SeniorLink helps senior citizens stay connected

Sam Steiner is a sophomore in high school and runs a company called SeniorLink Consulting, which links up high school students with senior citizens to help them set up their computer, learn how to browse the web to keep up with news, as well as how to use email and Skype and social media. More at the Miami Herald.

Column: 'Kleiner's Laws' can help your business

As an entrepreneur and small-business owner, I have been fortunate to have become friends with, and learned from, many successful entrepreneurs. But the person who had the greatest impact on my business life was the late Eugene Kleiner. Read Rhonda Abrams full column at Florida Today.

Out of the Box
Fine wine, one glass at a time

Four years after they launched their own boutique wine by going online to create a sort of virtual winery, Sunny Fraser and David Gordon are trying to break new ground in their campaign to bring fine wine to the masses. Their strategy? A new kind of bottle that cost $2 million to develop. Clocking in at 187 milliliters and resembling an oversized, flat-bottomed test tube, their patented bottle — which holds a generous glass of wine — is made of a delicate, seamless glass.