Florida women facing serious economic challenges

A new report shows women in Florida face some serious economic challenges. The good? Florida's great for female-owned businesses. The bad? Florida's behind nationally in poverty, education and healthcare numbers among women. The research was done by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) in partnership with the Florida Women’s Funding Alliance (FWFA). See a brief of the study here, or read the full white papers at the links below.

There are two reports on the status of women in Florida by county:
» Poverty and Opportunity
» Population and Diversity

Also read more at WZVN, the Fort Myers News-Press, and WMFE.

Fresh From Florida takes on tomatoes

It was a busy year on the tomato scene for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, as its Fresh From Florida program assumed responsibility from the Maitland-based Florida Tomato Committee for promoting the state’s tomatoes. Full story here.

Explosive growth of career academies changing workforce in Florida, nation

In a time of instability among various employment sectors throughout the country, many educators and professionals believe the academies could help pupils find and maintain success in an ever-shifting job climate. [Source: Pensacola News-Journal]

Ship wrecked off Florida might have changed history

Treasure hunters have apparently found the 500-year-old remains of a naval expedition led by a colonizer who could have changed Florida's history, making it French-speaking at least for a while. [Source: AFP]

Another local medical marijuana moratorium in Florida

The city of Bradenton is the latest local government to impose a six-month moratorium on medical marijuana facilities. Since the referendum, counties and municipalities throughout the state have imposed moratoriums until they can get land use restrictions adopted. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Florida lawmaker targets no-fault auto insurance [Bradenton Herald]
State Sen. Jeff Brandes, wants to get rid of a car insurance requirement he says makes driving more expensive in Florida. Required under state law since 1972, drivers in Florida must carry $10,000 in PIP, which is also commonly referred to as "no-fault insurance."

› Seller of Universal Orlando land buys large Central Florida warehouse [Orlando Business Journal]
The entity that sold a 475-acre swatch of land on Universal Boulevard for $130 million to Universal Orlando's parent company earlier this year just made its next Central Florida purchase.

› Florida rail company expands to Northwest Indiana [Inside Indiana Business]
Florida-based Patriot Rail Co. LLC has acquired the assets and former location of East Chicago-based United Transportation Group in East Chicago.

› Free small business academy in South Dade offers networking [Miami Today]
The District 8 Small Business Academy (SBA) aims to provide training and resources for local businesses so that entrepreneurs have the tools they need for success.

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› Miami-Dade’s light-rail tab could be $6 billion. [Miami Herald]
Bringing light rail to Miami-Dade’s suburbs could top $6 billion, a price tag so high that transportation planners say it probably makes more financial sense just to expand the existing Metrorail system on street-level tracks.

› Citigroup buys its huge Tampa service center in record deal [Tampa Bay Times]
Citigroup Inc. has purchased its huge Tampa service center, home to 5,600 employees, in what is being called Florida's largest-ever sale of single-tenant office buildings.

› Sea turtle nests double in Sarasota-Manatee, another record [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
It was a record-breaking turtle nesting season this year, with the number of nests nearly doubling from 2015's count.

› Hialeah Lawmaker Wants $10 Million For Veterans Hiring Program [CBS Miami]
A Florida lawmaker from Hialeah wants to set aside $10 million for grants to small businesses that hire veterans. The proposal, filed by Senator Rene Garcia, will be considered during the 2017 legislative session, which starts in March.