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Monday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Holiday retail sales: Down to the wire
Despite an early start, sales data shows that stores may once again have to rely on procrastinators to save the holiday shopping season. The slow growth comes at a time when retailers tried to do a number of things to jumpstart the season and encourage shoppers to spend. [Source: AP]
A Florida TaxWatch Economic Report
Let the games begin: First up, the Miami Beach Bowl, today in the Marlins Stadium. » Story. |
Touchdowns, Tackles, and Tax Revenue
Florida hosts more college bowl games than any other state in the nation. The games benefit Florida in a variety of ways, especially those that host two out-of-state schools, since fans and teams stay in Florida hotels. During a cold winter, fans have the opportunity to take in the state’s world-renowned beaches, theme parks and spend money in the local economies, all while paying state and local taxes. Read the full econonic report, here. The report includes a schedule of all the games.
Developers tread cautiously on Cuba’s property frontier
President Obama's move to end a half-century-long estrangement with Cuba raises the prospect that American developers and hotel operators such as Marriott International and Hilton Worldwide Holdings may be able to enter the tourism-rich market only 90 miles from Florida's coast. [Source: Bloomberg News]
See also:
» Cubans optimistic about relationship with U.S.
» Cuban cigar boom? Perhaps not yet
» South Florida charter and ferry companies hoping to capitalize on improved US-Cuba relations
New map personalizes best place to retire
Reuters has teamed up with Zillow to give you the power to customize a list of your best places to retire. Learn how to use our interactive tool to help you determine the cities and towns that meet your criteria. Read more from Reuters and see the customizable map here.
Floridians wait, and wait, for mortgage help
Florida's Hardest Hit program got off to a slow start because of opposition by Gov. Rick Scott to federal stimulus programs and the decision to begin with a pilot project in just one county, Lee. As of the three months ended in September, Florida had spent 44 percent of its $1.1 billion share of Hardest Hit Fund money. That's less than all but four other states. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Big Brothers Big Sisters to move headquarters to Tampa
The internationally known social services organization, currently based in Irving, Texas, is expected to relocate its headquarters to Tampa and is the subject of a Jan. 7 announcement by an economic development group.
› Grants to encourage medical tourism in Florida
Visit Florida, the official tourism marketing organization for the state, has a new $2.5 million grant program to encourage medical tourism. The programme is funded by the state legislature and is intended to encourage people to travel to the state for treatment, surgery and recovery.
› Astronauts marvel at Florida from space
We all know Florida is one of the most beautiful places on Earth, but it never hurts to have a reminder. The astronauts aboard the International Space Station have a unique perspective.
› Anna Maria Island excels at ecotourism
The Pine Avenue Restoration Project, 11 modest low-rise cottages, residences over retail, has catapulted Anna Maria Island to the center of the nation's sustainable tourism, eco-travel conversation.
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