Troubles in U.S. Manufacturing Can Still Weaken Economy

Manufacturing isn’t as crucial to the U.S. economy as it once was. The sector now accounts for 9% of U.S. employment, so its troubles don’t pose nearly as much risk to the U.S. economy as they did in the early 1970s. But manufacturing packs a bigger punch than its employment profile might indicate. [Source: Wall Street Journal]

Florida Trend Exclusive
A mirror image: Diversity in Florida

Florida Trend looked for the community whose demographics most closely match the state’s. We found it in a city that resembles Florida in other ways, too. Access full story here and see also:

» Cold shoulder: Anti-discrimination legislation doesn't pass Florida's House or Senate

Florida House considers redistricting map

The chairman of the House redistricting committee filed a new Senate map that would recast districts in South Florida, opening up a potential conflict with the Senate a week before a special legislative session on the lines is set to end. More from Highlands Today, WMFE, and the Tallahassee Democrat.

U.S. trade rep: Pacific trade pact good for Florida

Goods exported by Florida support 270,473 U.S. jobs, according to a USTR report. The bulk of exports shipped through Florida ports go to Latin America, but 21 percent of those exports are sent to TPP partner nations. [Source: Miami Herald]

Accelerators help entrepreneurs prepare for unexpected

The U.S. Census Bureau said recently that 2 percent of U.S. jobs were in startups in 2013, the lowest since the bureau started tracking the number in 1979. But in Florida, that number was 2.7 percent, higher than all but Nevada. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Student debt in Florida lower than across the nation [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Higher education isn’t getting any cheaper, and today’s students are tomorrow’s holders of debt. The average student debt for the Class of 2014 among those with loans in Florida was $24,947.

› Florida files federal lawsuit to shut down Seminoles' blackjack tables [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
The state late Friday announced it is filing a lawsuit in a Tampa federal court asking a judge to order the tribe to cease operations. Florida does not have legal jurisdiction over tribal reservations.

› Florida business owners attend business expo in Cuba [WFTS]
A small group of Florida business owners boarded a plane for Cuba on Saturday afternoon. They are headed to an international business expo in Havana. The event gives American entrepreneurs a chance to network and connect with Cuban business people.

› Dade Medical College closes all 6 campuses statewide [Tampa Bay Times]
Dade Medical College has closed all six of its campuses statewide. The closure also affects its affiliate school, the University of Southernmost Florida.

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› Miami lawmaker signals fading support for special rules for Cuban immigrants [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
The longest-serving Cuban-American in Congress may be easing her staunch support for the preferential immigration law for Cubans, saying "it wouldn't break my heart if it is done away with.''

› Bill to waive state park admission fees worries some [Bay News 9]
Conservationists are worried if the fees go away, the state might look for new ways of raising money, like allowing logging and cattle grazing on state park land.

› Obamacare enrollment efforts focus on finding hard-to-reach, young [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
As the third enrollment period for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act begins, outreach efforts shift to finding the hardest to reach of the remaining uninsured, organizers said.

› Panama City to get $1 billion in road projects, but where's the need? [Tampa Bay Times]
Known for its raunchy spring breaks and nearby military base, Panama City has barely grown in nearly 15 years. And yet it's there that the Florida Department of Transportation is planning to build 55 miles of new highway.