Tuesday's Daily Pulse
Florida is once again a top relocation destination
More Americans regained their mobility this year, led by a rush of middle-class northerners who had been forced to wait out the economy before retiring to Florida. More New Yorkers trekked to Florida than any other interstate migration — a strong sign that Florida's growth model is beginning to rebound from the prolonged pause of the Great Recession. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Column: Florida faces challenge to attract, retain young leaders
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TODAY @ Noon (Eastern):
Live Web Chat (it's free!) |
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Where: FloridaTrend.com/chats Join Florida Trend writer Lilly Rockwell and guests Bob Grammig, a partner with Holland & Knight's Tampa office, and Manny Mencia, Vice President and CEO of the International Trade and Business Development unit of Enterprise Florida, They will be taking your questions and discussing why Colombia is such an important trade partner for Florida. |
 Manny Mencia  Lilly Rockwell  Bob Grammig |
"We face an enormous challenge, Alex: We can't find the young, skilled employees we need to succeed." Month after month, that's what I kept hearing from business owners across the state. And in the very areas where it's absolutely critical that Florida show growth: In manufacturing. In the green, high-tech and life-sciences sectors. In finance. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Untapped -- Tampa Bay's Exporting Potential
Tampa Bay accounts for 25% of Florida’s economy, yet the region generates just 15.6% of the state’s merchandise exports. Boosting exports is the focus of an effort by local economic developers and the Brookings Institute, which picked Tampa Bay to be one of eight U.S. metro areas it’s helping to create strategic export plans this year. Full story...
Open For Business seeks to streamline permitting process
Seven counties and 24 cities in Central Florida have banded together to streamline their permitting processes with the goal of making it easier for businesses to build and grow. Called "Open For Business," the initiative will be unveiled Friday at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee. It also will be a featured link on the websites of participating jurisdictions. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Telemarketers still bugging Floridians
Floridians continue to be riled by pesky telemarketers interrupting them with calls at home: The top three consumer complaints to state officials in November were all connected to unwanted telephone calls from people trying to sell something. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› IT workers in demand in South Florida [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
A survey of 500 IT professionals and local companies shows strong signs of a turnaround in South Florida IT hiring. Fifty-seven percent of responding local companies indicated that they plan to hire additional IT staff in 2013.
› Gov. Scott wants Citizens Insurance to have inspector general [Times/Herald]
Saying the citizens of Florida need assurances that their money is being spent correctly, Gov. Rick Scott wants Citizens Property Insurance to have its own inspector general. Creating the job will require a change in state law, and Scott says he will make it a priority for the upcoming legislative session.
› Broward sued for its new law on advertising gas prices [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
A Fort Lauderdale station has filed a lawsuit against a new Broward ordinance that requires it and others to post on signs the highest price of gasoline or diesel offered.
› Realtors sue, saying wealthy clients committed end run [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Realtors Scott Lewis and Amy Lyons thought they were due for a big payday last summer after the wealthy heirs to the Dart Container Corp. fortune said they were interested in buying a Southwest Florida ranch. But while brothers Kenneth and Robert Dart ultimately acquired their target, the real estate agents got nothing.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
› Tampa Bay area trade mission to Colombia port expected to yield $7.3 million in new sales [Tampa Bay Times]
A Tampa delegation has returned from a trade mission to Barranquilla, Colombia, with business leads expected to yield an estimated $7.3 million in sales, officials said Monday.
› Preservation board turns down bid to designate Miami Herald building historic [Miami Herald]
Miami’s historic preservation board has voted 5-3 to turn down an application for designation of The Miami Herald building. Casino operator Genting, which bought the Herald property last year, opposed designation.
› Good scores not enough to stop criticism of new evaluation system from teachers, school districts [Palm Beach Post]
For teachers, school districts and state officials alike, the implementation of a new mandated teacher evaluation system — designed to be a more data-driven, accurate measure of teacher accountability — has proven to be a painful process.
› Miami-to-Orlando passenger rail on track [Orlando Sentinel]
A new passenger rail service is on track to begin in 2015, whisking travelers from Miami to Orlando, while offering hourly trains, gourmet meals and Wi-Fi.