Wednesday's Daily Pulse

Posted 2/4/2015

Updated 9 yearss ago

Entrepreneurship bounces back from recession

About 14% of the U.S. population was involved in starting or running businesses in 2014, up from a post-recession low of 7.6 in 2010. Millennials are a key driver of the trend, with 18% of 25 to 34 year-olds in the U.S. starting or running new businesses in 2014, up from 15% in 2013, according to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor. [Source: Forbes]

Enterprise Zones fill a vital need in deteriorating communities

Some of Florida's most economically depressed areas are benefitting from a small state economic development program, according to Florida TaxWatch. In their latest independent report, Florida TaxWatch calls on the Legislature to revise and extend the state's Enterprise Zone program. Read the full report.

As opera struggles, one Florida company holds its own

The Sarasota Opera, which opens its 56th season this weekend with Giacomo Puccini’s “Tosca,” is projecting a $100,000 surplus this year and its soon-to-be-filed 2013 tax return will show its first year in the black since the recession began. Those numbers defy industry trends, which have seen several established companies falter or close in the past decade. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]

Jobs growing slowly in 'advance industries'

South Florida is creating more jobs that require science, technology, engineering and math skills, but the jobs are growing more slowly than across the country, according to a report Tuesday from Brookings Institution's Metropolitan Policy Program. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Obama proposes $240 million in 2016 for Everglades restoration

The Obama administration signaled it’s serious about fixing the Everglades Monday by unveiling a budget that proposes spending $240 million on restoration work. Of that, at least $124 million would go directly toward U.S. Army Corps of Engineers construction projects, nearly double the current budget. [Source: Miami Herald]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Florida medical marijuana does well in poll [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
As the state legislature prepares to take up a medical marijuana bill filed last week, a new poll shows 64 percent of Florida voters support the use of cannabis to treat a variety of conditions.
» See also: Sheriffs come out against Florida medical marijuana bill

› Lawmakers say telemedicine deal likely this year [News Service of Florida]
Pointing to a need to increase access to health care in areas such as rural communities, a bipartisan group of House and Senate leaders Tuesday expressed confidence they will reach agreement this year on a plan to boost the use of telemedicine in Florida.

› Young athletes give Gainesville hospitality industry a sporting chance [Gainesville Business Report]
There was a time when the Gainesville area hospitality industry faced a feast-or-famine existence, thriving during weekends when the University of Florida hosted home games and graduation ceremonies, slammed during Gatornationals, but facing lean times during the off-season.

› Disney's parks revenue rises despite measles outbreak [AP]
The Walt Disney Co. reported another quarter of strong growth on Tuesday, helped by higher revenue from its parks and resorts despite an outbreak of measles at Disneyland in December. Net income and revenue beat expectations and shares rose 3 percent in aftermarket trading.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Atlanta Braves look to Venice for spring training? [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
City and county officials today could not confirm speculation that the Atlanta Braves may move their site of spring training from Orlando to Venice.

› New Orlando company to ring bell on Wall Street [Orlando Sentinel]
Orlando-based Xenia Hotels & Resorts, a new company spun off from Inland American Real Estate Trust, is set to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday morning.

› Charlotte air show canceled, but may return [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Citing rising costs and a lack of help from local government, the board of directors of the Florida International Air Show canceled the March event, but are considering moving the show to the fall.

› FIU College of Business dean to resign [Miami Herald]
Florida International University’s business school dean had been controversial from the start — picked through a selection process that some called hasty and operating with a leadership style that rankled many faculty.