Florida Trend | Florida's Business Authority

Wednesday's Afternoon Update

Steady growth could increase Florida's budget surplus

Florida economists are projecting a steady climb in the state's economy over the next three years. Preliminary forecasts show that economists are predicting state tax collections to grow between 4 percent and 6 percent between this year and 2017. More at the AP.


For entrepreneurs, life events can disrupt business

There’s nothing more exciting than breaking free of a cubicle and starting your own business — until you discover the drawbacks. While entrepreneurs make their own rules, set their own hours and decide how they want to do business, they almost inevitably discover they lack a safety net when their personal lives get challenging. More at the Miami Herald.


Jacksonville tops the list of 2014 best cities to start a business

International Banking

Depositing More Branches

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As some U.S. banks closed or re-trenched during the economic downturn, Canadian banks saw opportunity to grow in Florida.

» Access full story

Jacksonville ranked No. 1 on Wallet Hub’s best cities to start a business list, which examined 14 metrics including five-year survival rate and the affordability of office space to the educational background of the local labor force. More at the Jacksonville Business Journal.


Source One wins $10 billion defense contract

A military and tactical gear supplier based in Wellington has landed a $10 billion contract from the Defense Logistics Agency. Founder and CEO Mark Llano called the contract "critical to the health of the company." It will position Source One for additional military and government contracts, he said. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.


Sales Heat Up In Southwest Florida For Neal Communities

Neal Communities notched 67 home sales in February, continuing the home builder’s swift sales pace so far in 2014. Neal’s new home sales spanned across 16 communities from Manatee to Lee Counties. More at the Naples Daily News.

Out of the Box
Brain Health Index

florida brain health You might not believe it given all of the weird and crazy news stories that come out of the Sunshine State, but Florida ranks 12th in the country according to the 2014 "Brain Health Index." Beautiful-Minds.com released the research study, which evaluates the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia based on 21 factors of brain health. Factors include diet, physical health, mental health and social well-being, with sub categories in each.

» Full story from the Orlando Sentinel