Wednesday's Daily Pulse
Consumer confidence higher, but not in Florida
Americans' confidence in the economy in November rose to its highest level since July, but Florida did not share in the rebound. The Conference Board, a private research firm, said Tuesday that its Consumer Confidence Index rose 15 points to 56. That is up from a revised 40.9 in October -- the lowest level since the recession -- and the biggest jump since the 59.2 reading in July. Meanwhile, the Sunshine State's confidence index remained stuck at 65 this month, unchanged from the revised mark for October, a University of Florida phone survey showed. Read more from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and read the University of Florida report.
Poverty lurks in the shadows of Fantasyland
Once again, "60 Minutes" has shone a harsh spotlight on Central Florida's ugly secret: that Orlando isn't the place where every child's dream comes true. It's hard to dream, after all, when you're sleeping in your car. Or in a shelter. Or in a cheap motel room that your parents might not be able to afford another night. Yes, in the shadows of Cinderella Castle lurks the ugly reality of an economy built on low-paying jobs and now-stalled growth: widespread poverty. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Flexible work hours can be tough sell
One of the questions I most often hear from readers seeking work/life balance is "How do I get my manager to give me flexibility?" Sometimes it comes from a mother who is struggling to take care of an infant and keep her job. Other times, the question comes from a male boomer who can't stand the commute and wants to work from home a few mornings. Surprisingly, it even may come from someone whose company has a policy that embraces flexible work arrangements. Typically, it's a middle manager who stands in the way. Read more of Cindy Krischer Goodman's Work/Life Balance column.
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Publishing: Regional identity
For 25 years, beginning under Editor and CEO Gene Patterson, the St. Petersburg Times has operated under the strategy that an emerging regional marketplace would eventually support one newspaper. In November, the paper announced that it was formally embracing a regional identity and will rename itself the Tampa Bay Times as of Jan. 1. Times Chairman and CEO Paul Tash points out that 75% of the newspaper's circulation is outside St. Petersburg and says the name change was meant to "send a welcoming signal to readers and advertisers throughout the region." The Times, a for-profit paper owned by a non-profit journalism school, the Poynter Institute for Media Studies, is the largest newspaper in Florida and among the 20 largest in the country. More...
 Times Chairman and CEO Paul Tash announces the newspaper's name change, which takes effect Jan. 1. [Photo: Scott Keeler/ St. Petersburg Times] |
Jacksonville Jaguars sold to Illinois businessman for $760 million
For the first time ever, the Jaguars will have a new owner. One day before the 18-year anniversary of the Jaguars being named an expansion franchise, the team told its employees Wayne Weaver sold the organization to Shahid Khan, a Pakistani-born businessman who tried to buy the St. Louis Rams last season. Khan will be the first minority to be a controlling owner of an NFL team. Read more from the Florida Times-Union and Forbes.
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› South Florida home prices down, but worst appears to be over [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Home prices in South Florida and across the nation fell in September, though the precipitous declines of the past few years appear to be over.
Prices in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties fell 0.7 in September from August and 4 percent compared to a year ago, according to the Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller Home Price Index released Tuesday.
The index nationally dropped 3.9 percent on an annual basis, a slight improvement over the 5.8 percent decline in the second quarter. Prices nationwide are where they were in the first quarter of 2003.
› Brevard loses member of Congress under redistricting plan [Florida Today]
Brevard County would lose a member of Congress under a proposed redistricting map released by the Florida Senate. The Senate's proposal is just the first step in a long once-a-decade process of redrawing political lines to account for population shifts documented by the U.S. Census. Because of population growth, Florida will have 27 congressional districts, up from 25.
› Idled mattress factory in Tampa springs back into production [St. Petersburg Times]
The shuttered Spring Air Mattress factory in Tampa is bouncing back into production.
Solstice Sleep Products, which began leasing 90,000 square feet of industrial space at the sprawling South Falkenburg Road location this fall, has already hired 25 employees and plans to hire up to 60 more within eight months.
› SeaWorld to sell DVDs through major retailers [Orlando Sentinel]
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment is getting into the consumer-products business.
The Orlando-based theme-park operator said Tuesday it will begin selling DVDs and Blu-rays of the nature documentary "Turtle: The Incredible Journey" through major retail outlets, including stores operated by Wal-Mart and Koger and websites run by Amazon, Best Buy, Netflix and Blockbuster.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
› Tampa's burger scene sizzles [St. Petersburg Times]
Gourmet burger joints are proliferating in Tampa faster than mushrooms after the rainy season (mushrooms with a little Swiss, or maybe Gruyere). Square 1 Burgers, Burger 21, Burger Mongers, and now BGR the Burger Joint.
› Sunset Harbour is Miami Beach's next hot 'hood
[Miami Herald]
Miami Beach's Sunset Harbour is saying goodbye to neighborhood establishments like Mark's Quality Cleaners and Riverside Gordon Funeral Home as it prepares to welcome a shiny new condo tower, a "starchitect"-designed parking garage and new restaurants, shops and grocery stores.
It's part of a neighborhood makeover that business owners hope will turn the area into South Beach's newest live-eat-play destination.
› Incentives lure Buca di Beppo HQ to Orlando [Orlando Sentinel]
The promise of economic development incentives has persuaded Planet Hollywood to keep its operations in Central Florida and to relocate the headquarters of subsidiary Buca di Beppo to Orlando.
Planet Hollywood International Inc. is now headquartered in unincorporated Orange County but is expected to move into leased space within the city limits.
› Loose law helps honey hobbyist make money
[Fort Myers News-Press]
Don Murray's resume includes shooting some of the nation's most powerful men as an Army photo tech and a 35-year tour of duty as a stockbroker in New York City, working for such companies as Merrill Lynch, Fahnestock and Lehman Brothers.
Still, his new, post-retirement hobby business in south Fort Myers generates more of a buzz, albeit of a different nature: He's a beekeeper who sells his honey at a local farmers market.
› Legoland Florida reveals details of upcoming water park's rides [Orlando Sentinel]
Legoland Florida announced details of its planned waterpark Tuesday, saying the park will include an build-your-own raft ride and an interactive water playground.
The park is set to open "in time for summer 2012." It will include a number of attractions currently featured at the Legoland water park in California, including a Build-A-Raft lazy river, Twin Chasers tube ride, and the Duplo Splash Safari for toddlers.
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Mac Papers buys Central Florida distributor [Florida Times-Union]
Mac Papers, the Jacksonville-based paper distributor, has purchased Redd Paper Co., a central Florida paper distributor.
Both companies are privately held, and the purchase price was not disclosed.
F. Sutton McGehee, chief executive officer of Mac Papers, said the move allows his company to move further into packaging products.
Because the use of paper is declining, McGehee said that company is going into other uses of paper. Redd had a strong business in cardboard boxes, strapping, foam peanuts and other packaging products.