Half of small businesses in Florida plan to hire this year

About 54 percent of small businesses in Florida expect to hire during the next six months, but they are worried about the future of the economy, according to results from the most recent Florida Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index Survey. More from the South Florida Business Journal, WJXT, and Florida Politics.

The report:
» Small Business Index Survey: latest findings from Quarter 1, 2016

FDA grants use of experimental blood test for Zika screening

Federal health officials are granting use of an experimental test to screen blood donations for Zika virus, an emergency step designed to protect local blood supplies from the mosquito-borne virus. [Source: AP]

Florida cities among most cost-friendly business locations

Orlando, Tampa, and Miami all rank in the top ten most cost-friendly cities in which to do business. The study compares 31 large metro areas across a range of factors related to doing business, including costs associated with taxes, labor, facilities, transportation and utilities. More from the Tampa Bay Business Journal, the Orlando Business Journal, and KPMG.

Blue Cross finds Affordable Care Act enrollees to be sicker

Consumers who signed up for Blue Cross Blue Shield health plans through the Affordable Care Act’s insurance marketplaces these last two years tended to be sicker and incurred greater medical costs than people with BCBS coverage through their jobs. See the full report from BCBS here. Also read more at the Washington Post.

Gov. Scott orders Visit Florida, Space Florida reviews

Gov. Rick Scott’s administration is conducting a thorough examination of Visit Florida and Space Florida to discover what kind of return on investment the public-private economic development agencies get for taxpayers. More from the Orlando Sentinel and the AP.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Director Kevin Smith eyes Sarasota as movie backdrop [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Sarasota could soon be the backdrop for a film by director, writer and actor Kevin Smith, who was behind movies such as “Clerks,” “Chasing Amy,” “Dogma” and “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.”

› Connecticut company relocates to Manatee [Business Observer]
Ergotech Inc., a Danbury, Conn.-based manufacturing company, is relocating its corporate headquarters to its south Manatee County location, effective April 1.

› Have a look inside the 1-million-square-foot Amazon fulfillment center in Ruskin [Tampa Bay Times]
Amazon opened the doors to its 1.1-million-square-foot fulfillment center in Ruskin Wednesday to celebrate the warehouse's grand opening more than a year and a half after its launch.
» Video: Gov. Scott celebrates creation of 2,500 new jobs at Amazon's Ruskin Fulfillment Center

› Carnival Corp.'s profits sail higher [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Miami-based Carnival Corp. & PLC posted better-than-expected first-quarter profit, buoyed by higher ticket prices and lower fuel costs.

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› Study: Central Florida women in tech still face uphill battle [Orlando Sentinel]
Orlando women in technology face obstacles in business that men don’t, according to a new survey released by a local group that supports women entrepreneurs last week.

› How to pay for health care for working poor? [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Will the public support it? Manatee County leaders say that is the biggest question they face as they try to secure health care for thousands of uninsured and underinsured residents.

› Entrepreneurship Expo showcases student talent [FSU News]
Over 42 student-run businesses participated in the Entrepreneurship Expo this past Wednesday at FSU.

› EverBank Field to be site of World Cup qualifier for U.S. men's team [Florida Times-Union]
Mayor Lenny Curry made it official at a news conference Tuesday that Jacksonville will host the United States men’s national team in the final semifinal Group C World Cup qualifying match at EverBank Field on Sept. 6.