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Friday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Job cuts in Florida rise 27 percent in November
Employers announced 2,556 cuts last month, up 27 percent from November 2013, outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas said Thursday. This year, employers have announced 19,582 layoffs compared with 19,326 for the same period in 2013. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Art Basel means business for Realtors, bankers, retailers and more
Beyond the exhibition floors and gallery booths catering to collectors, Miami Art Week offers a far different kind of venue: one for hosting financial investor meetings, launching condominium projects and debuting new product lines. It’s a place for banks to court wealthy prospects and for luxury goods purveyors to sell their glittering wares. [Source: Miami Herald]
 Universal's application for $1.7 million more credits this year came just months after it opened a second Harry Potter attraction. More. [Photo: Universal Orlando Resort] |
Florida Trend Exclusive
Incentive or subsidy?
Universal Studios' use of an anti-crime incentives program isn’t sitting well with sponsors of the bill. The “Urban High-Crime Area Job Tax Credit Program” was created 15 years ago to entice businesses to move to or expand in crime-plagued areas. So far, Universal/Loews has claimed $9.9 million – about 40% of all the tax credits the program has awarded. Access full story.
Film Florida's new strategy for statewide incentives
Film Florida — the nonprofit association for all things related film, TV, digital media and games — once again plans to pitch to state leaders an incentive program that would allocate $50 million in annual tax credits for entertainment projects during the next four to six years and generate huge economic impacts. [Source: Orlando Business Journal]
Tech tools that help businesses compete with the big guys
Over the past few decades, the Internet has been touted as "the great equalizer," and small businesses have found some great successes in virtual spaces. However, the realities of online business haven't consistently allowed independent local companies to truly corner markets that are dominated by multinational corporations. [Source: Entrepreneur]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Wahlburgers plotting first Central Florida restaurant
Reality show sensation Wahlburgers is plotting a first Orlando location after local restaurateur Manny Garcia inked a deal to franchise the eatery in Florida.
› Nova hosting free session on value of getting an MBA degree
Nova Southeastern University will host a panel discussion on the value of an MBA in today’s business climate. Topics include: the right time to pursue an MBA, the value of an MBA in economic down times, employer perception of an MBA degree, the return on investment of an an MBA, and the the value of a specialized MBA degree.
› Visit Jacksonville creates Jax Ale Trail to promote the city's breweries
Visit Jacksonville has started a new campaign promoting the city’s breweries. It’s called the Jax Ale Trail and includes a website with information about the breweries and brewpubs along with the Jax Ale Trail Passport.
› Cruise industry group leaving Fort Lauderdale
The Cruise Lines International Association, which has offices in Arlington, Va. and Fort Lauderdale, announced Wednesday it will no longer have a presence in South Florida starting in spring of next year.
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