1.6 million Floridians could get tax credits through health-care exchange

Florida ranks third, after Texas and California, for the state having the most residents that could get subsidies if they purchase coverage through the exchange, according to the report from the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonprofit health-advocacy group. More from the Orlando Sentinel, WUSF and see the full analysis from the Kaiser Family Foundation.

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Florida Trend Exclusive
Lee County business portrait

Downtown Fort Myers [Photo: Amber Fredericksen] » Lee County

As Lee County celebrates its 125th anniversary, it is experiencing a resurgent economy and a healthy broadening of its traditional business base. At this profile, you'll find an in-depth look at the business communities of Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs and Sanibel. We also name key companies and people to know. See the full business portrait.

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As US economy plods and pay lags, companies profit

Look at the U.S. economy and you'll notice an unusual disconnect. The economy is being slowed by a tight job market, scant pay raises and weak business investment. Yet corporate profits are reaching record highs and fueling record stock prices. What gives? [Source: AP]

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Florida tourism gets hooked on joys of fishing

“Florida tourism” conjures images of theme parks, resort hotels, state parks and the finest beaches the world has to offer. Sailfish, marlins and mackerel don’t immediately come to mind, but recreational fishing is an important part of the tourism industry in Florida, too. [Source: Tampa Bay Newspapers]

Related, from Florida TaxWatch:
» Fishing in Florida, a $5 billion dollar business

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Environmental groups seek redress for Duke nuclear fiascos

Environmental groups in Florida and North Carolina want utility regulators to reopen public hearings about a series of Duke Energy actions, from its failed nuclear projects to the merger with Progress Energy. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

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ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› St. Petersburg to host celebrity chefs [AP]
The city of St. Petersburg was once considered the mecca of retirees and early bird specials - but it's now younger and hipper, especially when it comes to food and drink.

› NASA selects UCF to lead research center [Florida Today]
NASA has awarded the University of Central Florida leadership of a $6 million center that will study asteroids and planets in support of human and robotic exploration.

› State lawmaker seeks changes to charter school law [Miami Herald]
Days after an Orange County charter school threatened to dismiss students for failing the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Tests, a state lawmaker has filed a legislative proposal that would ban the practice.

› Business park or athletic complex proposed in Sarasota [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Two development groups with widely divergent proposals are vying for the right to build on a Sarasota County-owned commercial tract off Fruitville Road.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› National Retail Properties reports strong quarter [Orlando Sentinel]
Orlando-based National Retail Properties reported increases in profits, revenues and funds from operations for its third quarter on Tuesday. The company, which invests in shopping centers, generated $100.6 million in revenue – a 19.8 percent jump when compared with $84.4 million during the same period last year.

› FPL offers perks to help big energy users add jobs [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
It's not just governments that offer incentives for companies investing and adding jobs these days. Utilities also offer perks, and an innovative program by Florida Power & Light Co. is helping big electricity users grow in the Sunshine State.

› Alachua Conservation Trust wins highest national recognition [Gainesville Sun]
The Alachua Conservation Trust recently received the Land Trust Alliance’s National Land Trust Excellence Award, an honor for which it was chosen from a pool of more than 1,700 land trusts across the U.S.

› If light rail comes to Pinellas, how will it serve St. Pete? [Tampa Bay Times]
Whether to run light rail in a ring around St. Petersburg's downtown, or to send it farther south, delivering workers to the hospitals' and the university's doorsteps, that is the question. Or, rather, one of the questions.