Visit Florida may have to fight for its life

Visit Florida usually gets the backing of Republicans and Democrats alike for its mission to boost state tourism. But after a controversial deal with Miami rapper Pitbull that led to the resignation of three executives last week, the agency could be fighting for its very existence when the Legislature convenes next year. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Florida one of the nation's fastest-growing states in last year

Florida is one of the nation's fastest-growing states. New figures released Tuesday by the U.S. Census Bureau show that Florida's population grew by 1.8 percent in the last year. Only Utah and Nevada grew at faster rates, about 2 percent. [Source: AP]

See also:
» New York population shrinks, falls further behind Florida

Realtors, builders say more buyers, fewer construction workers trends will continue in 2017

An increase in demand for both new construction and existing houses will most likely be impacted by the continued shortage of construction labor. Homebuyers who lost their property during the downturn also are expected to re-enter the market in response to the better economy. [Source: Jacksonville Daily Record]

Medical marijuana faces uncertain future in Florida

Florida voters overwhelmingly approved expanding medical marijuana in November. Lawmakers must now decide whether the distribution systems needs to be altered from what was already in place and whether local government should be allowed to decide where dispensaries can be located. [Source: WBBH]

After two hurricanes in 2016, a dry Florida faces a new threat in 2017: Wildfires

Florida was drenched by two hurricanes in 2016, yet it faces a completely different problem in 2017: an increased risk of wildfires this winter. The state has become so dry in recent months that officials are now concerned about wildfires burning across the peninsula in the coming year. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

See also:
» For South Florida, it's beginning to feel a lot like summer

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› What is hosting the college football championship worth to Tampa Bay's economy? [Tampa Bay Times]
How much of an economic impact will the College Football Playoff National Championship game have on Tampa Bay? Depending on whom you talk to, place it somewhere near $300 million on the high end down to… well, practically nothing.

› How that big sinkhole in Polk County could sink a Mosaic deal [Business Journals]
The Mosaic Co.’s plan to buy a Brazilian fertilizer operation hinges in part on how Mosaic handles that giant sinkhole at the company’s New Wales facility.

› Utility regulator gets Florida parks job [Orlando Sentinel]
Florida Gov. Rick Scott's administration has named a soon-to-be jobless utility regulator to fill the state's top parks post, which was left vacant recently by the reassignment of a popular parks veteran.

› Enterprising Latinas launches project to boost Wimauma economy [83 Degrees Media]
For decades, Wimauma, home to about 6,400 residents, nearly 75 percent Hispanic, has been an agricultural town lacking in services as basic as public transportation. But signs of progress and investments are visible.

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› Gainesville-area nonprofits honored at chamber's holiday gathering [Florida Business Daily]
Five Gainesville-area community nonprofit organizations were honored with cash awards totaling almost $400,000 at the recent Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce annual Business After Hours: Holiday Edition.

› University of Miami to take over Walgreens clinics in South Florida [American Pharmacists Association]
The University of Miami Health System has signed a deal in which its nonprofit university's UHealth will manage and provide clinical services at all 17 Walgreens clinics in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.

› Olive Garden sizzles to boost Orlando-based Darden's profits [Orlando Sentinel]
Growth at Olive Garden helped Orlando's Darden Restaurants deliver a 2.1 percent increase in revenues for the second fiscal quarter compared to the same period a year ago, the company reported Tuesday morning.

› Sarasota's Shrode Jewelers closing after 80 years [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Shrode Jewelers has helped Sarasotans mark their milestones since 1936. Now it's hitting one of its own. After 80 years of selling engagements rings, birthday gifts and anniversary presents, Karl Shrode Jr. is retiring and closing the family business.