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Tuesday's Daily Pulse
Florida's economy still on recovery track
The Federal Reserve still has Florida’s recovery on track. The Philadelphia office of the Federal Reserve maintains leading economic indices for all 50 states, and Florida is performing well. The latest reading predicts Florida’s economy will continue expanding at about 1.5 percent for the next six months. That’s still weak, but better than the average pace of 1.1 percent growth registered in 2011. [Source: Miami Herald]
Related:
» Florida businesses post best January ever
Missing money leaves investors feeling fleeced
Yet another suspected megafraud has left victims in Florida feeling fleeced and angry, demanding justice and clamoring for their money back. The victims are growers, ranchers, pension funds and retirees — including a single mom in Fort Lauderdale and a retired physician in Boca Raton — who trade in commodities. They are among tens of thousands of investors who discovered last year that money they thought was secure in their own accounts had simply vanished. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Tampa Bay Economic Indicators
Tampa is adding some healthcare muscle and will get a boost from the Republican National Convention in August, while St. Petersburg’s medical device industry shows strength.
Communication key to spreading your message
Whether you are speaking with possible investors, your employees, real or potential customers, or your neighbor, as entrepreneurs you need a communication strategy to make people feel like they are in the loop — at whatever level you deem appropriate. Often, people who know about your start-up venture may be interested in helping you, in a sense becoming an unofficial sales force. With good communication, you can equip them with your message of choice. [Source: Miami Herald]
In Florida, painkiller crackdown shifts federal pill probe to mainstream drug stores
The prescription pain pill crackdown in Florida by federal agents is migrating quickly from pill mills to mainstream drug store chains. Witness last week's search of six Walgreens stores — including in Port Richey and Hudson — and its distribution center in Jupiter.
Small wonder. Red flags soared quickly at Walgreens, the country's largest drug store chain.
[Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Florida ranks first, and last, in pre-K education
Every 4-year-old in Florida is eligible for a free pre-k education. That has earned the state the number one ranking in the county from The National Institute for Early Education Research for access. But the same study ranks Florida dead last in quality.
› Obama visit will raise FAU's profile beyond South Florida
It's a school that often struggles to be noticed outside of South Florida. But on Tuesday, Florida Atlantic University will get an unexpected boost from the nation's top leader.
Not bad for a university that just five years ago was known as a commuter school with little campus life.
› Tampa starts work on master plan to guide downtown growth
Mayor Bob Buckhorn launched a year-long effort Monday to write a master plan for downtown with the help of residents, neighborhoods and business owners.
› Few regulations for businesses caring for elderly
Before serving even the first child, Florida statutes require 30 hours of training.
To take care of an adult client, in certain cases, the state says you don't have to get any training at all.
Yet, clients of both age ranges are more vulnerable than most adults — the young being cared for in day care and the elderly in their homes.
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