Monday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 3/7/2016

More than 1 million have already cast ballots in Florida primary

More than 1 million voters have cast ballots in advance of next week's Florida presidential preference primary. Balloting is on pace for turnout to set a new record for a presidential primary and is sure to exceed the 1.7 million people who voted in the last primary in 2012. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Small businesses testify on red snapper policy

Red snapper was a topic on Capitol Hill Friday as lawmakers received testimony about the effects on small business of federal fisheries management. The Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship heard about challenges from the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of Maine. More from Trade Only Today.

How Puerto Rico got into its current financial mess

Nearly half of the island’s 3.5 million people now live below the poverty line, and more than 50 percent of all children live in families that receive some sort of public assistance. More from the Miami Herald.

Energy efficiency funding comes to Alachua County

Alachua County is planning to join in on the national “green living” trend. The county is launching a financing initiative for property owners to make energy efficiency upgrades. More from the Gainesville Business Report.

Small Business Advice
Perseverance with knowledge is the key to success!

I cannot overstate how important perseverance is when starting and running a business. However, to be truly successful and reap the fruits of your hard work, perseverance must be combined with knowledge. More from Dr. Jerry Osteryoung.

Event
Art Exhibition -- Florida Inspired 2016

Florida Inspired 2016 is the inaugural museum event of Inspired Artist Studios at PARC, Inc. This exhibition features new work by emerging artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities from the PARC program, St. Petersburg, Florida. It invites audiences to participate in a visual dialogue with their own visual statement inspired by the artists’ work.

» More from the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art and see a photo gallery from opening night.

Business Profile
ErrandFamily.com

While many local business owners have adapted to Southwest Florida's seasonal nature by squirreling away a portion of revenues earned during the hopping tourist season to cover the lean summer months, the owners of a local Merry Maids franchise have opened a second business in the hopes of conducting a steady stream of business 12 months a year.