Florida's construction worker shortage is stalling development

Construction workers are scarce for a number of reasons. Many were burned by job losses during the recession and aren't returning to the industry. Others are turned off by low pay or don't want to work outside in the Florida heat. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Florida fishing guides say red snapper rules hurt business

Many commercial and recreational fishermen in northeast Florida and throughout the south Atlantic say they're seeing a banner year for red snapper — adding to their skepticism of data supporting federal regulations for the fish. [Source: AP]

Economist: Florida moving forward to diversify economy

For years, one Florida administration after another talked about the need to diversify the state’s economy to keep it relevant and vibrant. But it was a hard sell, since tourism and construction tended to keep the state moving forward so effortlessly. [Source: Saint Augustine Record]

Locked out of boom, buyers hunt for new housing hot spots

Skyrocketing home values have priced many in Florida's middle class out of the state's housing boom. For now, as prices rise in traditional middle-class neighborhoods, buyers are looking at once-overlooked areas that offer good value, even if they’re not in the most fashionable parts of town. [Source: Miami Herald]

Older workers rethink retirement age

In recent years, for reasons spanning economic to cultural, older adults are working longer, experts say, with more than 80 percent of people in their 60s planning to work past 65 or no longer planning to retire at all, a Transamerica Center Study states. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Dredging finished at PortMiami; questions linger over damage [AP]
A $205 million dredging project has been completed at PortMiami, though questions linger over the environmental costs. The port channel is now 52 feet deep, allowing massive ships sailing through an expanded Panama Canal to bring cargo to Miami.

› Pensacola economy gets boost from UWF [Pensacola News-Journal]
Pensacola isn't one of those college towns where the community's fortune rises and falls with the ivory tower. But the students, faculty and staff of the University of West Florida provide a steady supply of intellectual capital, a trained workforce, long-term economic development and yes, cash.

› CEOs debate minimum wage increase [Miami Herald]
Workers around the country — including in Miami — recently held protests asking for a $15 dollar minimum wage. What would the effect of a $15 minimum wage be on the economy in South Florida, where it currently stands at $8.05?

› Central Florida simulation business summit seeks to stave off 'menace' [Observer]
Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs says Central Florida finds itself in a high-stakes battle to maintain simulation corporations from leaving, as states like Alabama and Virginia push their respective sectors.

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› Administrative office service companies on the rise in Jacksonville [Florida Times-Union]
Intelligent Office is a franchise of a larger nationwide company that’s now in about 75 cities. While new to Jacksonville, the business is part of a growing trend of administrative office service companies that assist with the administrative work that smaller companies can’t handle or simply can’t afford.

› Shakeout hits tech startups in boat sharing, marine services [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Tech innovation came somewhat late to boat sharing and other marine-related services. New apps and Internet platforms for tasks such as renting boats, hiring captains, arranging fuel delivery and finding marina slips have blossomed only in the past few years.

› Business Blue Origin rocket jobs to average $89,000 [Orlando Sentinel]
The 330 people hired by Blue Origin will make an average of $89,000 a year and help bolster the Space Coast's goal of becoming more than just a rocket launchpad, officials said Friday.

› Sarasota County to consider banning puppy sales [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
People who oppose so-called "puppy mills" likely will square off Monday against several local pet store owners during a Sarasota County Commission hearing on a possible ban on the sale of dogs and other animals in pet stores.