Thursday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 11/13/2014

Obamacare enrollment lags for small businesses

Enrollment for small businesses under ObamaCare is falling short of the government’s expectations, according to a federal audit to be announced Thursday. About 76,000 people have enrolled in the state-run exchanges, a dismal total that nearly guarantees that the Obama administration will miss its target for small businesses. More from The Hill and the Washington Post.

South Florida reclaims dubious title: Top for foreclosures

Just when it seems the real estate economy in South Florida has turned the corner, RealtyTrac found that the region had the nation's highest metro area foreclosure rate in October. More at the South Florida Business Journal and the Miami Herald.

Marketing firm to expand in Deerfield Beach

Tech Trends
AutoNation's "digital storefront"

In a first for the auto industry, Fort Lauderdale-based giant AutoNation is rolling out a "digital storefront" that lets consumers start buying cars and trucks online.

Analysts say no other auto retailer comes close to what AutoNation is offering and won't any time soon.

» Read more from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and Automotive News.

Marketing firm JKG Group, whose clients include Office Depot, Toojay's and Atlantis/Paradise Island, is relocating to Deerfield Beach from Boca Raton, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance said Wednesday. Officials from the company worked with the Alliance's CEO Council, CareerSource Broward and Florida Power & Light's Economic Development Division on the project that will result in the relocation of 85 existing jobs at an average salary of approximately $61,176 plus benefits. Full press release is here..

Darden's new board wants to change oversight rules

Darden Restaurants won't be able to ignore calls from shareholders for special meetings under a new set of corporate governance rules proposed Thursday. The company's new board of directors, led by Starboard Value CEO Jeff Smith, wants to pass a rule that will bar Darden's leadership from ignoring investors. More at the Orlando Sentinel.

Homes in eight digits lure buyers to Miami

Luxury housing, defined by most Miami brokers as $2 million and over, is in a category of its own with specific features and audience. It’s a strong market with buyers coming from diverse locations including New England, California, Brazil, Saudi Arabia and South America. More at Miami Today.

Out of the Box
Harris employees collect 30,000 rolls of toilet paper

It was in passing that United Way of Brevard County's Susan McGrath mentioned a shortage of toilet paper for the needy at the organization's kick off event for Harris Corp. Palm Bay employees last October. McGrath learned soon after, engineers at Harris added another ply to their usual monetary donations to United Way: Collecting toilet paper for those less fortunate.