March 29, 2024

Wednesday's Daily Pulse

What you need to know about Florida today

| 8/28/2013

Florida Trend Exclusive
Transportation in Florida: Ticket to ride

All Aboard Florida
All Aboard Florida is Florida East Coast Industries new venture into private passenger rail service. » Story here [Photo: FECI]

All Aboard Florida aims to be the first private intercity passenger rail service in America since 1971, when government-subsidized Amtrak took over passenger train operation nationally. For decades, fast passenger rail has been the stuff of presidential State of the Union wish lists and the dream of those who want to see Americans out of their cars and into mass transit. All Aboard Florida tickles those fancies and stokes the passions of free-market advocates as well. Read the full story here and see also:

» FECI: Old assets, new organization -- How Florida East Coast Industries manages their hard assets, employees, and railroad rights of way.


Why middle-class jobs are disappearing

Construction, teaching, transportation and manufacturing are driving forces in the disappearance of the middle class. The lack of job growth in those industries is a key reason why middle-class jobs are vanishing, while demand for low-paid and high-paid jobs grows. More from the South Florida Business Journal and the Washington Post.


Rise in U.S. Home Prices Matches 7-year High

U.S. home prices rose 12.1 percent in June from a year earlier, nearly matching a seven-year high. But month-over-month price gains slowed in most markets, a sign that higher mortgage rates may weigh on the housing recovery. [Source: AP]

See also:
» South Florida posts 18th month of rising home values, best since 2006


Businesses, nonprofits hurt by rain, floods can get help

Low-interest disaster loans are available from the U.S. Small Business Administration for businesses and nonprofits that suffered financial losses as a direct result of excessive rain and flooding between June 4 and Aug. 1. The loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small aquaculture businesses and private nonprofits. [Source: Ocala Star-Banner]


Safety net for school grades may get extended

Florida may be keeping a safety net provision that kept more than 150 schools from getting an F grade this year. Interim Education Commissioner Pam Stewart said Tuesday that state officials will discuss in October whether to keep in place a rule that would limit a school grade from dropping more than one letter at a time. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]


ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› How Publix uses social media — and you should, too
“Where shopping is a pleasure” is being translated to “where engaging online is a pleasure” at Publix Super Markets, as the company has adopted and executed strategic social media goals in the past year.

› Rumors of an Apple store buzzing in Sarasota
With a new 880,000-square-foot mall in the works here, Apple may have a renewed interest in opening a store in the Southwest Florida market. Although Apple Inc. employees would not confirm if the electronics company is looking into the Sarasota-Bradenton market, local retail sources are buzzing about Apple and the possibility of a new store here in one of our regional malls.

› Flood insurance 'crisis' may pummel St. Pete Beach real estate market
City officials are worried that rising federal flood insurance costs for home and business owners will pummel the local real estate market and property tax revenue. "There is a looming flood insurance crisis that is about to hit us," Vice Mayor Marvin Shavlan told the City Commission this month.

› Fort Myers, county officials to fly for Nationals meeting
Lee County and Fort Myers officials will accompany a developer to Washington D.C. for a meeting with the Washington Nationals. The downtown Fort Myers venue has been without a tenant since the Red Sox headed to their new home at JetBlue Park in 2011.


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Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices
Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices

Central Floirda chocolate shops are left with a bitter taste as cocoa prices hit an all-time high earlier this week.

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