Wednesday's Daily Pulse
Zero job growth for Florida's small firms
Florida didn't move up, but neither did it go down. Florida's small businesses recorded zero job growth in February, according to payroll firm Intuit Inc. Nationwide, the monthly report found that small-firm employment increased by 0.7 percent, adding 15,000 new jobs. Over the year, small business has added 75,000 jobs, Intuit said. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
 BestBet Jacksonville earned more than $6 million from its card room from July to November 2012. » Story here |
Florida Trend Exclusive
Gaming in Florida: A mixed hand
Poker rooms have been a boon for the pari-mutuel industry statewide since the Legislature approved them in 1996. Card room revenue at 21 of the state’s betting sites has risen nearly 9% from four years ago, while gambling revenue from greyhound racing declined 30% over the same period. In northeast Florida, however, card room revenue at most venues has lagged. Full story...
Florida finds evidence of voter registration fraud
Florida has found that employees of a company once aligned with the Republican Party of Florida engaged in voter registration fraud. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced on Tuesday that two former employees of Strategic Allied Consulting turned in 27 fake voter registration forms. [Source: AP]
South Florida has close banking ties with Venezuela
Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, who died on Tuesday, may have been full of anti-American rhetoric, but that hasn't prevented close banking ties with South Florida. The government of Venezuela even controls Miami-based Eastern National Bank, which is the 25th-largest bank in South Florida. [Source: South Florida Business Journal]
Related:
» Venezuelans in U.S. hope for change after Chavez's death
» Hugo Chavez's death will impact South Florida
» In South Florida, Venezuelans react to Hugo Chávez’s death
» Central Florida Venezuelans worry, wait
» Latin American Connection: Going South?
'Sinkhole season' has only just begun in Florida
Across Florida this time of year, it's the start of what's unofficially considered the "sinkhole season," State Geologist Jonathan Arthur said. It coincides with the beginning of the state's rainy season and usually lasts until the end of summer. "Florida is famous for bugs, alligators, pythons, hurricanes and now sinkholes," said Larry McKinnon, a Hillsborough sheriff's office spokesman. "I think our salvation is that for most of the time, our weather is picture-perfect." [Source: AP]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Orlando quietly buys up even more Parramore land [Orlando Sentinel]
Orlando's purchase of $4 million worth of Parramore property last week wasn't the full extent of the city's land grab in the neighborhood. The City Council on Feb. 25 approved the purchase of four parcels of land thought to be the preferred site for a new Major League Soccer stadium.
› A school where students are the computer techs [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
A group of 15 teenagers often do the grunt work to keep the equipment online and running at Pine View School, which has not only the most technology but also the oldest devices in Sarasota County schools.
› Hollywood may reverse longtime ban on animal displays [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
In 1990, Hollywood became the first city in the nation to ban the display of animals, including petting zoos and circuses. But on Wednesday, the commission is expected to give final approval to a plan that would allow the exhibition of animals for movie and TV productions as well as parades and other special events.
› $700K gift helps Ocala Symphony Orchestra [Ocala Star-Banner]
The Ocala Symphony Orchestra on Tuesday morning kicked off its fundraising campaign to renovate the closed City Auditorium at Tuscawilla Park into the 700-seat Ocala Cultural Center as a home for the symphony by announcing it had already received $775,000 in contributions — $700,000 of which came from one generous, but anonymous, donor.
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› Entrepreneurship column: Profit is the basis for a market economy [Florida Today]
It’s unfortunate that some view profit as a dirty word that is inextricably linked with greed. I’m not suggesting that every profit is earned ethically, but let’s not throw out the clean baby (markets and profit) with the dirty bathwater (unscrupulous individuals).
› Lockheed Orlando receives $71 million deal for anti-ship missile work [Orlando Sentinel]
Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control Orlando said Tuesday it has received a job from the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, worth $71 million, to conduct flight tests and other development work related to a new naval-combat missile.
› Late season frost damages western Palm Beach County corn and bean crops to the tune of millions [Palm Beach Post]
Growers estimated 3,000 to 5,000 acres of sweet corn were damaged — up to 25 percent of the roughly 25,000 acres planted. Corn losses could be as high as $25 million. It has not been determined yet how many acres of green beans were also zapped, with about 5,000 acres in the ground.
› UF professor to be ‘Jeopardy!’ contestant [UF News]
Jane Yellowlees Douglas has an eclectic resume. The University of Florida professor has done work with almost every college in the university and has published research in at least a dozen separate disciplines. “It’s easier for me to think of a college I haven’t worked with than to think of all the ones I have,” Douglas said. And now Douglas can add “Jeopardy!” contestant to her extensive list of experience.