Tech workers fielding more job options

Florida's technology workers are finding more job options as demand for their skills grows, a new survey by the ProTech staffing firm in Boca Raton indicates. More tech workers — 45 percent compared with 36 percent a year ago — said they would be willing to move out of Florida for a new opportunity. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

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Colombia comes courting Florida

A decade ago, Colombia was best known for violence and its lucrative, if illegal export, cocaine. Today, Colombia boasts the region's third-largest economy and a growing middle class. While security challenges remain, including from anti-government FARC rebels, Colombia has become Florida's No. 2 trading partner. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

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Deadline looms for BP business settlement along Gulf Coast

In 2012, BP negotiated a settlement to pay people and businesses, and now a deadline for claims is fast approaching. There's only about a month left for claims, and businesses -- even some you may not suspect -- could be eligible for a "BP payout." [Source: WTSP]

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State picks FCAT replacement for 2015

Most of FCAT will be replaced next year by new exams developed by a social-science research organization. The American Institutes for Research, based in Washington, D.C., will create a new series of standardized exams for Florida — language arts and math tests to be taken by nearly 2 million public school students. More at the Orlando Sentinel and StateImpact Florida.

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Citizens legal costs continue to climb

Citizens Property Insurance has a lawsuit problem. More than 12,000 policy holders have sued the company in an effort to get their outstanding claims paid and, new data shows, the defense costs are rising — with the company billed more than $21 million for the last three months of 2013 alone.

From Jerry Osteryoung's latest advice column: "Learning to give back is such an important virtue every leader should develop. Money and greed just will not seem very satisfying as you come to the end of your career."   » Read full column, "A time to reflect," here.

[Source: Miami Herald]

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ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› All Aboard Florida on track for a late 2015 debut [Orlando Business Journal]
Travelers can expect to hop on All Aboard Florida’s $1.5 billion train system in late 2015, an official said, but job hirings are expected sooner than that.

› In Miami, homegrown conferences are heating up [Miami Herald]
While South Florida has long been a no-brainer destination for out-of-town conferences and conventions, especially during winter months, the area now is attracting more homegrown events. And they’re far from Miami-only or regional.

› Stem cell nutrition company relocates to Broward County [South Florida Business Journal]
Stemtech International will move its headquarters from San Clemente, Calif. to Pembroke Pines, where it will create 90 jobs.

› Construction helps lead new job creation in South Florida [Miami Herald]
As condo towers rise and homebuilding picks up, new construction is creating job growth in South Florida, helping lead the state’s economic recovery as it outshines the nation.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Nutrition company HQ moving to Pembroke Pines [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Stemtech International, producer of nutritional supplements, is moving its international headquarters, manufacturing and labs from San Clemente, Calif., to Pembroke Pines. The company has committed to creating 90 jobs at an average salary of about $66,000 and to providing $1.35 million in capital investment.

› Soaring Calatrava design will be centerpiece of Florida Poly [Tampa Bay Times]
The visual associations may vary but the first reaction to the enormous, strange and wondrous something that suddenly appears just off Interstate 4 at a Lakeland exit is universal. Likened to many imaginative things — a giant sea creature! an alien spaceship! — it is in reality the signature building on the new campus of the new Florida Polytechnic University.

› Miami investment bank buys Peruvian brokerage firm [South Florida Business Journal]
Miami-based Advanced Capital Securities acquired Peruvian brokerage firm and investment fund manager Andes Securities SAFI.

› Florida beer distributors, breweries fight over growlers [WPTV]
Florida allows craft breweries to fill and sell unlimited amounts of gallon- and quart-sized beer jugs, popularly called growlers. But half-gallon growlers, the most-popular size in the 47 other states that allow them, are banned.