Tuesday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 2/23/2016

U.S. home sales climbed in January despite weaker economy

U.S. home resales unexpectedly rose in January, reaching a six-month high, in the latest sign that the economy remains on firmer ground despite slowing global growth and tightening financial market conditions. The housing market strength was echoed by other data on Tuesday showing a solid rise in house prices in the year to December. But the economic outlook was tempered by a fall in consumer confidence this month amid a stock market sell-off. Full story from Reuters is here.

Conference to lure young professionals to Manatee

For decades, the Bradenton area has served as a magnet for relocating retirees and “baby boomers” joining its work force. Yet several “Millennials” employed by the county government are pushing to make the area a destination for their generation as well. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Port Canaveral traffic is down almost 10 percent

Cruise ship passenger traffic at Port Canaveral is down for the first four months of the port's budget year. But port officials said Monday that may be a short-term drop due to the temporary dry dock of the Disney Dream ship. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Student-run hackathon to inspire entrepreneurship, innovation

During the first weekend in March, 250 college students will hack day and night to make a new piece of technology that can help make the world a better place, or at least more entertaining. Organizers hope the first student-run hackathon at FIU – MangoHacks – will serve as a creative outlet for students to make apps, forge new friendships and find mentors. See the full story here.

A positive start to 2016

The new year is still fresh. It's a great time to begin new personal habits like healthy eating and exercise. However, you may want to also consider some positive habits for your business. Kick-start 2016 with the three R’s: Review, Revise and Remind. Find out more in this column by Michael Foster, here. [Sponsored Report]

Tallahassee Trend
Roiled over ROI

Since July 1, 2013, Florida lawmakers have required Florida’s economic development agencies to use a more rigorous formula for calculating the return on investment ratios for handing out taxpayer money to companies.

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Florida Datamine
Lawn workers

According to statistics kept by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton metropolitan statistical area boasts the 16th highest number of lawn care and maintenance professionals in the nation in relation to all other occupations. The numbers, updated in mid-2014, show that about 16 of every 1,000 workers in the statistical area are lawn care professionals.