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Tuesday's Afternoon Update

Small business optimism highest since Great Recession

Small business optimism has reached the highest level it has been at since the third quarter of 2008, according to a new survey conducted by Wells Fargo & Co. ( WFC ) and the Gallup Organization. The Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index improved nine points since the second quarter and 36 points since the fourth quarter of 2012, to a positive 25. More from the Dow Jones Business News and the Wall Street Journal.


Miami Jai-Alai files for bankruptcy

Less than two years after opening a casino, the Miami Jai-Alai facility filed for bankruptcy protection as its parent company fends off a foreclosure from the holder of an $87 million loan. In a stock filing Monday night, Florida Gaming Corp. disclosed the Chapter 11 filing, saying the terms of a pending sale would essentially wipe out the company. More at the Miami Herald.


Florida firm to build new cargo dock at Port of Brownsville, Texas

Profile

Vivo School of Technology

brian knight
Tired of going out of state to find programmers for his Pragmatic Works software company, Brian Knight is starting a training school in Jacksonville to teach the .NET programming language used by Microsoft. Opening in September, the Vivo School of Technology in downtown Jacksonville will charge $9,900 for an 18-week course. Knight says scholarships will be available.

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It’s taken years to get to this point, but a new cargo dock for the Port of Brownsville is about to become a reality now that a construction contract has been awarded. The port’s board of commissioners on Aug. 7 awarded the contract to Shoreline Foundation Inc. of Pembroke, Fla. The board concluded that Shoreline’s bid of just under $21 million was the “lowest and best” bid submitted for the project, dubbed “Dock 16.” More at the Brownsville Herald.

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» The Florida-Texas Connection


Margaritaville groundbreaking planned for Thursday

Take note, Parrotheads. The developer of Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort will host a groundbreaking bash for local dignitaries at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Johnson Street bandshell. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

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» A Resort for a Song


Digital Risk to lay off 112 in Boca Raton, but what of its incentive packages?

Mortgage risk analysis firm Digital Risk LLC is laying off 112 employees at its Boca Raton facility. The Maitland-based company opened its Boca Raton facility in June 2012 and has so far received nearly $1.1 million in local and state job incentive packages. More at the South Florida Business Journal.

Environmental Business
Brevard builder honored for "green" efforts

rush incBeing green isn’t always easy, and it certainly isn’t free. But several years ago, RUSH Construction Inc., made a commitment that “green” was going to be a company focus. Now, RUSH Construction, founded in 1984, is one of two Florida-headquartered construction companies to be certified as an official green contractor.

» Full story from Florida Today