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Friday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today.
Florida small-business owners hot on social media
Florida's small-business owners are more likely to use social media to connect with new customers than their counterparts nationwide, according to the American Express Open Small Business Monitor. The study found that 62 percent of Florida's small-business owners use social media to connect with new customers, while 55 percent do so nationwide. Florida does lag a bit in the number of small-business owners who feel a social media presence is necessary — 20 percent vs. 27 percent nationwide. [Source: South Florida Business Journal]
Related:
» Florida's small firms say their businesses are growing
Florida counties to fight state over Medicaid costs
In what it described as an "accounting mess,'' the Florida Association of Counties said it will file a lawsuit challenging the state's decision to try to tap counties for tens of millions of dollars in disputed Medicaid money. The decision came two weeks after Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill that calls for the state to recoup the money --- and more than a month after counties frantically tried to fend off the measure in the Legislature. Read more from the Miami Herald and the News Service of Florida.
Audit finds program to help Florida homeowners is ineffective
A billion dollar program designed to keep 40,000 Florida homeowners out of foreclosure has helped only 3,400, according to a federal audit released Thursday. The audit quotes an unnamed Florida official as blaming the abysmal results on lack of interest from banks and other lenders. "There is no stick with the carrot to force servicers to participate," the official said in the audit. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
South Florida real estate creeping back to normal
South Florida’s real estate market is creeping back toward a more normal era. But the trend might not last long. New figures show bank-owned homes or those facing foreclosure no longer dominate the resale market, and homes for sale under normal circumstances now account for about half of real estate listings. That’s a switch from a year ago, when distressed properties accounted for 70 percent of listings. [Source: Miami Herald]
Ask a Business Expert: Pros and cons come with family biz
One would think going into business with family would be wonderful. Working with someone you know, like and trust. Sounds fabulous, right? Or is it? While there are many advantages to going into business with family members, there are certainly disadvantages, too.
Read what Donn Miller-Kermani has to say about it in Florida Today.
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Jaguars want to be subject of HBO's 'Hard Knocks'
As “Hard Knocks” prepares for its return to HBO this summer, the Jaguars have expressed interest in being the subject of the behind-the-scenes show that follows NFL teams.
› Sarasota’s fledgling film industry is growing
Evidence is growing that Sarasota is gaining a foothold in the highly competitive film industry.
In national terms, Sarasota is still a bit player and there have been setbacks. But the region has made notable progress in developing a fledgling film industry.
Related:
» Sarasota Film Festival
» Palm Beach Film Festival
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Food has starring role at Florida Film Festival
› Barton G. adds to portfolio with new magazine
Restaurant, event and hotel impresario Barton G. Weiss is expanding his empire to include the printed page.
Weiss announced this week that he is launching Vault Magazine, a publication devoted to “the art of being social” that drops its first issue April 26.
The magazine will publish five issues a year, Weiss said, initially targeting consumers in Miami, Los Angeles and New York.
› Business booming for Destin fishermen
Recent years have seen a number of challenges for the fishing fleet.
High fuel prices, stricter regulations and the slumping economy all have had some impact on the local fishing industry. Also, the BP oil spill virtually shut down fishing for months in 2010.
But the fleet has rebounded and is in the midst of a busy spring season.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
