Why Florida is losing its grip on retirees

Are retirees looking for their dream home in all the wrong places? Florida, which helped popularize the notion of a snowbird retirement, has the most residents age 65-plus. Yet it now ranks near the bottom of a new list of states deemed most desirable for folks contemplating retirement. [Source: Money]

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» Retirement impossible for many

Florida Trend Exclusive
Economic Yearbook 2016: Changing downtowns

In Florida, a healthy downtown has become a key indicator of civic vitality. As more residents flock to walkable live/work/play city center and retailers, restaurateurs and companies will follow suit. Orlando has $2.2 billion worth of public and private infrastructure and construction projects. More than 30 projects are under construction or planned for downtown Sarasota, representing more than $692 million. Access full story here.

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» Florida Trend publisher's column: Downtowns rising

Consumer Debt Highest Since '08 Recession

Whether you “owe your soul to the company store” or you’re in the hole after following your dream of launching a fashion line - Americans are swimming in debt. A CardHub study says the average household with credit card debt now owes more than $7800 - the highest amount since the Great Recession. [Source: FOX Business]

Commercial drone rules under examination

A government-sponsored committee is recommending standards that could clear the way for commercial drone flights over populated areas and help speed the introduction of package delivery drones and other uses not yet possible. [Source: AP]

Flood insurance rates increase

Flood insurance rates increased for all policyholders Friday as the National Flood Insurance Program continues to dig itself out of $24 billion in debt incurred in the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Sandy and other recent emergencies. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Banks consolidate even as most perform better [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
The sign changers will stay busy at Florida banks this year. Six lenders with operations in Southwest Florida have changed hands in the past year; another deal is scheduled to close soon.

› South Florida homebuyers enjoying more leverage as market softens [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
If you've been waiting to buy a house, you might have more negotiating power now than you've had in a while. Even though prices keep rising, buyers are becoming more discriminating and less likely to overpay or kowtow to sellers' demands, real estate agents say.

› Florida regulators OK Anthem-Cigna insurance deal [Miami Herald]
State insurance regulators have approved Anthem’s purchase of Cigna’s Florida companies as part of a broader merger of the major health insurers.

› Building a town around baseball [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Local officials hope a proposed new spring training complex for the Atlanta Braves could become the area's crown jewel, catalyzing development at the heart of the biggest city in Sarasota County after nearly a decade of planning.

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› Seeking maturity: Orlando's tech startups need to grow up [Orlando Sentinel]
Early stage startups, typically a few years old or less, can grow up to become the larger businesses that boost a region's economic development by employing a large number of people.

› Growth equity firm, local partners invest in eMerge Americas [Miami Herald]
eMerge Americas, the Miami Beach technology conference founded by South Florida entrepreneur Manuel D. Medina, has secured a major investment from growth equity firm Orkila Capital as well as Medina and a group of high-profile local partners.

› Meet Publix's new CEO [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Todd Jones — who became the company's president in 2008 — will succeed CEO Ed Crenshaw, grandson of Publix founder George W. Jenkins, on April 30.

› A weakened Enterprise Florida battles external critics, internal angst [Tampa Bay Times]
Some critics of Enterprise Florida — including incoming Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran — say it's time to review whether the agency created 20 years ago has outlived its purpose in a more conservative fiscal era.