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Wednesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
The U.S. Commerce Department said housing starts increased nearly 7 percent in May, to a seasonally adjusted 914,000. Both locally and nationally, the surge has put contractors back to work, boosted tax revenues for local governments and improved sales for housing-related retailers. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
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Furloughs could impact Florida National Guard's storm readiness
Hurricane season is here and it looks as though the national sequester budget cuts could hamper the ability of the Florida National Guard to respond to storm damage. Starting July 8th, the Guard will have to begin furloughs for 1,000 soldiers. [Source: First Coast News]
Most workers hate their jobs or have "checked out"
Seven out of 10 workers have “checked out” at work or are “actively disengaged,” according to a recent Gallup survey. In its ongoing survey of the American workplace, Gallup found that only 30 percent of workers are “were engaged, or involved in, enthusiastic about, and committed to their workplace.” [Source: LA Times]
 The USDA shipped Greg and Marnie Frost 150 tung tree seedlings. Frost launched Gulf Coast Tung Oil after becoming impressed by a tung-based wood finishing. » Story here |
Florida Trend Exclusive
Agriculture: Tallahassee tung oil
Tung oil was first produced in the United States in Tallahassee 100 years ago, derived from the fruit of seedlings brought from China by a U.S. ambassador. Over the following three decades, tung trees became regional insignia— their salmon-pink petals adorning murals, sports regalia and postcards — and tung nut oil became an industry. Full story...
Restaurants blend old rules of fast, casual, fancy
America once had very specific kinds of restaurants. There was fast food for a quick bite, casual dining for a fun night out and fine dining for that really special occasion. But now those lines are getting fuzzier. As they struggled to lure more customers during the Great Recession, some chains began looking to broaden their appeal. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
» Chris Sherman chats about changes in chain restaurants
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› More AP classes could cost districts millions
County school superintendents told the state Board of Education on Tuesday that a recent legislative bill allowing high school students to take as many advanced placement courses as they can handle will cost districts millions of dollars that their budgets can't support.
› Alachua County approves QTI Incentive for Encell Technology Inc.
The Alachua County Board of Commissioners has approved a motion to offer a qualified target industry incentive for Encell Technology, an Alachua-based company that designs battery storage and management systems.
› JaxPort's pick for CEO says Horizon Lines agreement won't be conflict of interest
Brian Taylor resigned from Horizon Lines last November and is receiving $370,000 a year over a two-year period from the company, which uses the JaxPort-owned Blount Island terminal for shipping cargo to Puerto Rico.
› Lakewood Ranch to host major music fest
A Country Music Hall of Famer, a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and two classic rock stars will help launch what could easily become a major annual music festival at the 140-acre Premier Sports Complex in Lakewood Ranch. Schroeder-Manatee Ranch Inc. is producing Winterfest, which debuts March 29-30, at its master-planned community in East Manatee.
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