Wednesday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 6/12/2013

Florida added 17,440 private sector jobs in May

No summer slowdown here. Florida added 17,440 private sector jobs in May, second-highest in the country and nearly twice as many as the state had added in April, according to a report released Wednesday by payroll and employee benefits company ADP. More at the Tampa Bay Times.

Miami tops nation in luxury car sales

When it comes to luxury car and truck sales, market analysts say Miami is king. High-priced vehicles make up a greater portion of overall new auto sales in Greater Miami than any other major market in the U.S. More at Miami Today.

RTI acquires Michigan-based pioneer surgical technology

Business Profile

.CO Internet

Twitter launched its new video servicethis winter as Vine.co, unconcerned about not having a .com domain. The decision was a testament to the success of .CO Internet, the Miami company that manages and markets the .co domain.

.CO Internet’s parent company, Miami-based STRAAT Investments, is active both in the south Florida tech community, as well as in startup and tech communities nationally.

» Full story

RTI Biologics announced Wednesday morning that it has acquired Pioneer Surgical Technology, a leading medical technology company based in Marquette, Mich. The acquisition will help RTI position itself as a more diversified, global surgical implant company poised for growth in orthopedics and biologics. More at the North Central Florida Business Report.

Florida test gains among nation's best since 2003

Florida students had some of the nation’s largest gains between 2003 and 2011 on a key national standardized test, according to a new analysis by Education Sector, a nonpartisan policy research group. More at StateImpact Florida.

South Floridians are most ‘underbanked’ in the U.S.

A larger share of South Florida residents live without bank accounts than in any other major city in the nation — among them, the unemployed, low-income workers with a shortage of cash, and immigrants who may not trust financial service providers. More at the Miami Herald.

Out of the Box
Brew Business is Booming

More people are making their own beer and wine. The American Homebrewers Association said this week that its annual survey of retail beer- and wine-making supply stores showed gross revenue at those businesses grew by an average of 26 percent in 2012. “As homebrewing continues to grow, retail shops are responding accordingly, satisfying the needs of their increasing customer base," said Gary Glass, AHA director.