A shrinking middle class in Florida means more economic polarization

There's been a sizable increase in the percentage of wealthier Floridians, with many in the middle class able to improve their financial condition since the end of the Great Recession. But the ranks of the middle class itself are shrinking. And the share of workers in the lowest-income "working class" has remained unchanged. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Florida Trend Exclusive
Economic development has become a mission for utilities in Florida

Florida’s five investor-owned electric utilities have become active players in economic development — from Gulf Power’s site certification programs to Duke Energy’s community databases to Florida Power & Light’s special rates for startup companies. Access full story.

Florida fines security company that employed Pulse gunman

The security company that employed the Pulse nightclub gunman faces a $151,400 fine for falsely listing psychological testing information on forms that allowed employees to carry guns. More from the AP and the Orlando Sentinel.

Miami business owners anxious for Zika warnings to end

Six weeks after Zika officially landed in Wynwood, the virus has taken a bite out of Miami-Dade County’s economy — and it’s no mosquito-sized nibble. Downtown Miami hotel bookings are down. Airfare to South Florida is falling. Business owners in affected areas report steep losses. Polls show many visitors would rather stay away. More from the Miami Herald and the AP.

See also:
» Florida residents outside Zika zones express pesticide fears
» Zika raises legal questions
» US Officials Are Rushing To Develop A Zika Vaccine By 2017

State warns of email scam that uses insurance commissioner's name

Consumers need to beware of an email scam that uses Florida Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier's name and title, officials warned. The fraudulent email says "that all of the recipient's insurance policies have been cancelled," the release stated. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Honeywell files notice for 52 layoffs in Orlando [Orlando Sentinel]
A division of Honeywell in Orlando filed a notice with the state Friday that it will lay off 52 manufacturing employees in the first half of 2017. The layoff notice states the cuts will be made in Honeywell's Sensing and Productivity Solutions division.

› Transportation summit coming to Southwest Florida [Fort Myers News Press]
Streets Alive SWFL and Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association are partnering to host a two-day transportation summit, on Sept. 29-30 featuring national and international experts interacting with planners, engineers and government leaders to encourage a safe and accessible regional transportation system for all road users.

› Meet the culinary director of Epcot, a chef from Clearwater [Tampa Bay Times]
Gregg Hannon is strolling through the theme park, greeting guests with the kind of joviality required of Disney people. "Hello!" he says. "Good morning!" As the culinary director of Epcot, this is the man responsible for all the food in the world

› Jacksonville Suns season under new ownership sees increase in average game attendance [Florida Times-Union]
After an upbeat start to the 2016 season under new ownership for the Jacksonville Suns, the Double-A baseball franchise saw attendance slow a bit by the end of the season.

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› EDC of Sarasota County celebrates community growth [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
The Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County’s 33 active incentivized projects have created nearly 2,500 jobs, officials said Friday. The nonprofit has fought to retain and support employers and diversify the economy.

› It’s only September, but the Miami Auto Show is already here [Miami Herald]
The 46th annual Miami International Auto Show cruised into the Miami Beach Convention Center Saturday, offering a peek into the latest models two months earlier than in prior years.

› Orlando volunteers aid Zika research [Orlando Sentinel]
In the battle against Zika, Danny Leoni of Casselberry has been called a superhero. Night and day, the 26-year-old is running algorithms to find the chemical compounds that could deactivate the virus and offer a cure.

› Lauderdale Marine Center aims to accommodate more big yachts with facility expansion, redesign [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
South Florida's largest boat repair center is aiming to get bigger and better under new ownership. The 50-acre Lauderdale Marine Center is expanding its capacity to accommodate more mega yachts and making other improvements across the facility.