Florida Trend | Florida's Business Authority

Tuesday's Afternoon Update

Floridians’ confidence in economy remains level

Florida’s consumer confidence level was unchanged in August, matching July’s revised reading of 77, according to a University of Florida survey. July’s level was the first time confidence had declined after four months of increases. Three of the five categories in the August survey declined, while two increased. More at UF News.


Office Depot, One Direction launch $1 million anti-bullying campaign

Executives of Boca Raton-based Office Depot shared the stage Monday with popular boy-band One Direction to announce a $1 million anti-bullying campaign at U.S. middle schools. The retailer has been selling an exclusive line of One Direction back-to-school supplies and is funneling $1 million of those proceeds to its nonprofit arm for the campaign that kicks off this September. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.


Florida Poly agrees to offer scholarships

Tech Trends

Biggest tech fails of all time

betamax
Regardless of how fashionable or futuristic they are, some products are destined for failure either due to their hefty price tag, lack of features or numerous glitches. The Orlando Sentinel offers a glimpse at some notable pieces of technology that were deemed epic failures.

» View the slideshow

Florida Polytechnic University leaders voted Monday to offer $5,000 annual scholarships for the first three years and $3,200 the fourth year, all to try to draw top-notch students to the new school. Faced with the challenge of offering incentives to students before fundraising efforts are in full swing, board members have difficult decisions to make. More at the Lakeland Ledger.


Innovation Hub spawns 250 jobs in just 20 months

The Florida Innovation Hub at the University of Florida has contributed to the creation of 250 jobs in just its first 20 months, new figures show, and the three-story incubator already has more than two dozen tenants. “The Hub is a powerful job creation engine for Florida. Not only do we help companies get their start, but we’ve attracted venture capitalists and attorneys from out of state who want access to our entrepreneurs,” said Hub Director Jane Muir. More at UF News.


Sarasota County vying for factory

It may be a long shot, but Southwest Florida is in the running to land a German manufacturing operation that is scouting the state for a new plant. Enterprise Florida, the state's economic development agency, put out word late last week that the unnamed fiberglass products maker wants to establish a U.S. headquarters and manufacturing center. More at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Luxury Trends
Tesla Motors bypassing Boca's restrictions on car dealerships

condoNot only can you buy the latest handmade Prada bag or Coach belt at this Boca mall, but soon you can put yourself in the driver's seat of a hot, electric Tesla sports car for a starting price of $63,000. The tony California based automaker wants to open a showroom at the upscale Town Center at Boca Raton, carving out a prime spot for itself and skirting the prohibition against displaying cars outside that has kept traditional car dealers out of Boca.

» Full story from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel