From racing to rum, things to know about year-end tax breaks

It's December, when Congress typically passes a last-minute package of temporary tax breaks, sparing millions of businesses and individuals from unwanted tax increases just weeks before the start of filing season. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and the AP.

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» Year-End Tax Tips for Businesses

Florida Trend Exclusive
Going up: A look at major construction projects in Florida

From office complexes to sports stadiums, airports, seaports, luxury condominiums and massive mixed-use developments, Florida is once again in the midst of a building boom. Access full story.

How to stop the share economy from harming workers

The "share economy" will see over 40 percent of Americans working as freelancers, temporary workers, self-employed, or contract workers in five years. The US can maintain a flexible economy, while taking the burdens and risks associated with uncertain work off the workers. [Source: Christian Science Monitor]

Florida banks grow loans at more than twice the national rate

If you’re looking for a loan, Florida may be the state for you. Florida-based banks grew loans by almost $4 billion in the third quarter, or by 2.58 percent, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. [Source: South Florida Business Journal.]

Team Building in the Cafeteria

Everyone understandably wants to build higher-performing, more cohesive teams, but there has to be a better way to do it. And now it seems there is. Researchers led by Kevin Kniffin, of Cornell University, say they’ve found a deceptively simple method: Encourage teams to eat together. [Source: Harvard Business Review]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Balancing the impact between growth and the environment [Sponsored Report]
South Florida’s natural beauty is a great asset when it comes to attracting projects that generate economic impact. The interaction of the environment with those projects requires understanding and strong partnerships to keep the scales even for the Sunshine State.

› Florida Supreme Court agrees to take up slot machine dispute [Florida Politics]
The Florida Supreme Court is taking up a long-running legal dispute that could result in slot machines being added at dog and horse tracks across the state. The 1st District Court of Appeal in early October ruled that slot machines couldn’t be installed at a facility west of Tallahassee.

› Giving Tuesday helps Central Florida charities [Click Orlando]
The global campaign was the top trend on Twitter for hours Tuesday, filling feeds with opportunities to donate to local and global charities. Several Orlando charities launched new goals this year for Giving Tuesday.

› Beckham's Little Havana soccer stadium on life support [Miami Herald]
David Beckham's plan to build a soccer stadium across from Marlins Park isn't dead yet. But it's on life support, and it may be only a matter of time before someone pulls the plug.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Emerging Cuba worries Caribbean [Miami Herald]
As its relationship with the United States develops, Cuba potentially poses competition for the rest of the region in tourism, trade and investment.

› Federal court halts firm's false sales claims to ADT customers [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
A U.S. District Court in Dallas granted Boca Raton security firm ADT's request for a preliminary injunction prohibiting a Tuscon, Ariz. alarm dealer and its sales agents from making false sales claims to ADT customers.

› Florida House: Use conservation money on Everglades [AP]
The Florida House wants to dedicate as much as $200 million a year on projects to help restore the state’s fabled Everglades. House Republicans on Tuesday announced their “Legacy Florida” initiative.

› Private prison health care in doubt as contract with Florida collapses [Times/Herald]
After two years of complaints about health care in Florida's prisons, the private company that has been responsible for the largest share of inmate care — Corizon Health — decided not to renew its $1.1 billion contract with the state.