Monday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 4/10/2017

Why Florida construction companies are keeping a sunny outlook

Florida construction firms still carry lessons from the recession and consider potential risks at a much higher degree, but they also are now riding high on a booming market, especially in the multifamily sector, according to Dan Whiteman, vice chairman of Miami–based Coastal Construction and a 50-year veteran of the Florida construction industry. From a Construction Dive article, Whiteman said:

The demand seemed to peak in mid-2016. I had some apprehension from mid-2016 through the election, which gave the impression that [demand] might taper off. However, since the election, there seems to be — at least from a business perspective — an increased confidence that we’re not going to have a major drop-off in construction, and we are continuing to see a pretty solid backlog of work coming in.

Sales and Marketing Advice
How to overcome 'writer's block' when creating marketing content

In business, writing is one of the best ways to inform your audience, engage them, and stay top of mind. It isn’t an option. It’s essential and the essence of content marketing. More from Ron Stein.

Florida’s small businesses need protections in state law

Florida cannot continue to lose our small businesses, their investments, or risk taxpayer dollars due to unfair corporate franchisor practices. It is an all-too-common story where local business owners are at the mercy of the more powerful corporations and are taken advantage of. More from Florida Politics.

Bank deals shake up Southwest Florida

The fourth quarter was strong for Florida lenders, with profits up nearly 37 percent over the year to $425 million, according to the latest data from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. The year-end numbers reflect the recovery in Florida’s recession-battered banking sector, but some weak players remain. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

To Betsy DeVos, Florida shows the path to school choice

Florida has channeled billions of taxpayer dollars into scholarships for poor children to attend private schools over the past 15 years, using tax credits to build a laboratory for school choice that the Trump administration holds up as a model for the nation. More from the Washington Post.

Out of the Box
Carvana

The auto vending machine company Carvana is planning to start construction on the long-awaited project in Orlando. Carvana is an online-centric car dealership chain that builds the six-to-eight store “vending machine” dealerships where customers pick up their vehicles.

» More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Business Profile
Yogurtology

Yogurtology is a rapidly growing frozen yogurt franchise. The company, headquartered in Tampa, helps provide healthy and delicious dessert experiences in a fun self-serve concept.