Wednesday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 9/23/2015

Who gets hurt in a federal government shutdown

There's a real risk now that the federal government will shut down on October 1. Lawmakers are nowhere near settling their myriad disputes and agreeing to pass a budget. If the government shuts down, it would have far-reaching effects across the country from federal employees to small business owners. More at CNN Money and WMBB.

Another presidential candidate comes out against Florida's proposed ballot access rule

Florida law leaves it up to the state parties to decide who makes it onto the presidential preference primary ballots, and Florida GOP Chairman Blaise Ingoglia wants to exclude any candidate from Florida's primary ballot who does not show up to the Sunshine Summit presidential forum he scheduled for November. More at the Tampa Bay Times.

Big appetite for small loans

Demand for the general business loans, the SBA's most popular, has been so great that the program reached its 2015 ceiling of $18.75 billion in late July, two months before the end of the fiscal year. More at CFO.

Florida medical pot backers claim to have 500,000 signatures

United for Care -- the group behind a constitutional amendment to legalize medical marijuana in Florida -- has reached half a million petition signatures, chairman and primary funder John Morgan announced this week. More at the Times/Herald.

How one Naples woman became an award-winning auctioneer

If award-winning auctioneer Sara Rose Bytnar ever encountered a glass ceiling, she’d probably just shrug, sell it to the highest bidder and move on with her life. The 29-year-old Naples resident isn’t simply participating in the male-dominated field, she’s excelling in it. More at the Naples Daily News.

Around the State
Low Density Attraction

Tiny Bay Harbor Islands in Miami is the hot new waterfront location. With a population of fewer than 5,900, Bay Harbor is experiencing a condominium boom. “A growing number of families have been looking at Bay Harbor Islands as an alternative to Miami Beach,” says Jay Parker, CEO of Douglas Elliman Real Estate’s Florida brokerage.

» Access full story.

Business Profile
Bags Inc.

Orlando-based luggage company Bags Inc. has gotten so big and important, it’s now handling Pope Francis’ luggage. It’s only for the Pope’s visit to the U.S. but it’s still a big deal for the company, which has been growing fast and recently expanded to Europe.