Monday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 2/1/2016

U.S. small business borrowing sank in 2015

U.S. small business borrowing fell in December from a year earlier, data released Monday showed, a fresh sign that economic growth may weaken in the coming months. Dropping oil prices and slowing world growth are taking a toll on U.S. economic growth, which slowed to a 0.7 percent annual pace in the last quarter of 2015. More from Reuters.

Chicken Salad Chick opens new Florida location in The Villages

Chicken Salad Chick, the nation's only southern inspired, fast casual chicken salad restaurant concept, announced today it will be expanding in Florida with its newest location in The Villages. More at Florida Trend.

Sound Advice pumps up the volume again

The iconic Sound Advice signage is a 21st century Back to the Future story — a powerful trigger for nostalgia and curiosity, a signpost for a place where a salesperson will demo a pair of $80,000 MartinLogan Neolith speakers powered by a $30,000 stack of McIntosh amps and explain how they work, even though you’re just looking to drop $200 on a turntable. More from the Miami Herald.

Chicago Uber customers to get free rides (and an invitation to Florida) from Pinellas tourism agency

Visit St. Pete-Clearwater is partnering with Uber, the ride-sharing company, in Chicago this month to offer free rides to users in Chicago on "Warm Up Wednesdays." Four Uber cars will be wrapped completely in bright and sunny advertisements showing off Clearwater Beach and St. Petersburg throughout the month of February. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Disciplining employees should be handled in steps

One of the hardest things to do is discipline an employee. Most people just do not want to hurt another person, and sometimes, they are afraid of the repercussions of this action. However, having staff means it will one day be necessary to discipline an employee -- or devise corrective action to change undesired behavior. More from Florida Small Business.

Agriculture
Alternative crops gaining more attention in Florida

As more traditional crops in Florida are challenged by pests and diseases, increasing costs, and foreign competition, growers are looking for alternatives to diversify their operations.

» More from Growing Produce.

Business Profile
TRIAX Precision Manufacturing

Like many Sarasota retirees, Gary North and Michael McKee didn't need to find a way to supplement Social Security. But their mental health required more than a honey-do list and golf. So, last fall, they took a leap and created Triax Precision Manufacturing LLC.