Who’s afraid of cheap oil?

In the past cheap oil has buoyed the world economy because consumers spend much more out of one extra dollar in their pocket than producers do. Today that reckoning is less straightforward than it was. Although consumers have gained, producers are suffering grievously. The effects are spilling into financial markets, and could  depress consumer confidence. More analysis at The Economist.

See also:
» Why you should worry about cheap oil
» Why solar and wind thrive despite cheap oil and gas
» Oil prices rally above $30 a barrel on Central Bank stimulus hopes
» Asian markets rally as oil prices rebound

Why the seafood industry is rebranding "trash fish"

The shift toward trash fish reflects a broader trend in U.S. seafood toward species that are more abundant. Florida fishing regulators, for instance, have incentivized the hunt for invasive lionfish, which many view as pests. [Source: AP]

Americans' expectations about economy brightened in January

Almost a third of Americans said in January that the economy was improving, helping to boost expectations to a seven-month high even as sentiment around current conditions withered. [Source: Bloomberg]

Florida's search for new insurance chief a priority for Rick Scott, Cabinet

Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet plan to replace the departing insurance commissioner through a nationwide search, which they hope will be completed long before he leaves office and the start of hurricane season. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Defending your computer from cyber-attacks, Sun Tzu style

We want our computers to perform the way we expect. But what if the key to defeating malware is introducing a bit of chaos? Daniela Oliveira, a professor in the University of Florida Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, thinks a bit of unpredictability could help outsmart malware. [Source: UF News]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› ADP considers moving 2,400 new jobs to Maitland [Orlando Sentinel]
Payroll processing giant ADP is considering a huge expansion in Maitland, with around 2,400 new jobs for a new regional headquarters.

› Where in the world does Florida ship its citrus? [Tampa Bay Times]
As it turns out, the biggest consumers of Florida fresh citrus are Floridians themselves, followed by a string of Northern states including New York, New Jersey, Illinois and Pennsylvania, plus, for some reason, Georgia.

› Car2go pulling out of Miami on March 1 [Miami Herald]
The car-sharing service Car2Go informed its members Thursday afternoon that it will suspend operations in Miami and Miami Beach effective March 1.

› Pharma company snags incentives to create 25 jobs [South Florida Business Journal]
A specialty pharmaceutical company will expand its operations and create 25 more jobs, the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County announced Wednesday.

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› Enterprise Florida losing fight for $250 million incentives fund? [Florida Politics]
Enterprise Florida was on the defensive Thursday as the state’s chief economist threw cold water on Gov. Rick Scott‘s proposed $250 million Florida Enterprise Fund. The Senate’s Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development held a workshop on the proposal.

› Florida may penalize those who don't enforce immigration law [AP]
Florida could penalize cities, counties and sheriffs who don't fully cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

› Enterprise Florida’s rebranding campaign reveal coming [Tampa Bay Business Journal]
Months of work to define a new message to promote Florida’s business opportunities are coming to fruition. Orlando-based Enterprise Florida Inc., the statewide economic development organization, hasn’t had a new campaign since 2013.

› 25th Annual UF Vendor Fair, Small Businesses Networking Opportunity [Gainesville Business Report]
Gainesville’s many small business owners have the opportunity to register and attend the 25th annual UF Small Business and Vendor Diversity Relations Vendor Opportunity Fair.