Florida eyes Trump effect on business, tourism

Much has been made of the escalating costs of providing additional security during President Donald Trump’s trips to Mar-a-Lago, which he has dubbed the “winter White House.” But having the president in your midst brings benefits, too. [Source: Palm Beach Post]

See also:
» Rick Scott and Donald Trump hang out in Washington
» Donald Trump and the mansion that no one wanted
» Could Trump be bound for Central Florida again?

Florida Trend Exclusive

House Speaker Richard Corcoran

Heavy Hitter: Florida Speaker Richard Corcoran wields power

Richard Corcoran, Speaker of the Florida House, is vowing to upend the political system he has spent a lifetime mastering. He has condemned the influence of special interests — and the weakness of individual legislators — and promised stronger ethical firewalls and a state budget with more transparency and less pork. Access full story.

See also:
» The Issues: What's on tap for Florida's Legislature

Tech Data completes acquisition of Avnet's Technology Solutions business

Tech Data Corporation today announced it has completed its acquisition of the Technology Solutions business from Avnet, Inc. The combination creates a premier global end-to-end IT distributor with unmatched capabilities and the most diverse solutions from the data center to the living room. News release here.

Deadline draws near for Florida's Prepaid College Tuition program

Time is running out for parents who want to put their kids in Florida's Prepaid College Tuition program. Tuesday, February 28th is the enrollment deadline. After that date, families will have to wait until the end of the year for the next open enrollment period. [Source: WWSB]

Florida State Parks director resigns two months into term

Former utility regulator Lisa Edgar has left her position as director of the Florida Park Service two months after being appointed to the job. Edgar was appointed to the parks position after more than a decade as a member of the Florida Public Service Commission. More from WJXT and the Naples Daily News.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› January visitation and spending fall in Collier County [Naples Daily News]
Collier County saw fewer visitors in January — and they spent less than they did a year ago. The county had 182,600 visitors staying in hotels and other vacation rentals last month, down 1.7 percent over the year.

› Jacksonville workshop will help artists conduct themselves as small businesses [Florida Times-Union]
The Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville which will host a workshop titled “Entrepreneur Symposium for Creatives: Every Artist is a Small Business” on Saturday in the Jesse Ball DuPont Center.

› Central Florida foodie culture spurs lectures, inspires entrepreneurs [Orlando Sentinel]
ORL Food Lab is a sign that eating out is no longer the hippest way to be a foodie in Central Florida. A new wave of food entrepreneurs is deploying lectures, food tour businesses and even foodie festivals to engage with favorite restaurants and chefs.

› 35-year Manatee Chamber president dies [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Bob Bartz, who during nearly 35 years built the Manatee Chamber of Commerce into a nationally recognized organization, died Sunday. He was 65. Also see the statement from Rep. Vern Buchanan on the passing of Bob Bartz.

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› Fort Lauderdale loses out on jobs-heavy Citrix expansion [South Florida Business Journal]
Newly released records show Raleigh, North Carolina, won the 400-job expansion Citrix announced in December over sites in both Florida and Georgia.

› Public invited to Babcock Ranch during Founder’s Festival [Naples Daily News]
Master Developer Kitson & Partners is inviting the public to come enjoy the progress being made at Babcock Ranch during a two-day Founder’s Festival event on Saturday, March 11 from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, March 12 from noon to 6 p.m.

› Gainesville's stock rising as tech hub for business growth [Florida Business Daily]
There’s been a steady increase of alumni from the University of Florida (UF) showing interest in launching their global businesses in Gainesville, the college town turned tech center.

› Gas prices fall in Southwest Florida, but spring surge coming, experts say [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Gas prices hardly budged during the past week in the Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice market, but experts still are predicting a spring hike is coming. The average in the region was $2.234 on Monday, flat from the previous day and down from $2.239 a week ago.