Fort Myers, Orlando will be top growth markets in Florida in 2018

Of Florida's top regional markets, Fort Myers will see the greatest change in year-over-year population growth during 2018, while Miami is expected to see the smallest change, says Cushman & Wakefield in its latest Florida Population Reports. According to the reports, Florida’s population will increase by 450,000 people in 2018, as compared to 430,000 in 2017. In the next five years, the state’s population is expected to increase from 21 million to 23.3 million. Full story with more market statistics, here.

FLORIDA POPULATION GROWTH -- Ranking of percentage y-o-y forecasted growth by 2018 year end (in thousands)
Rank	Market	Change	Growth	Population
1	Fort Myers	3.6%	25.6	775.2
2	Orlando	3.2%	75.4	2,596.7
3	Palm Beach	2.8%	23.8	1,524.9
4	Indian River	2.7%	16.5	159.7
5	Lakeland	2.0%	12.7	689.6
6	Jacksonville	1.9%	30.6	1,638.0
7	Fort Lauderdale	1.8%	33.7	1,978.3
8	Tampa	1.8%	60.7	3,139.0
9	Miami	1.4%	22.5	2,790.5
Sources: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Moody’s Analytics. See more statistics from Cushman & Wakefield here.

Florida legislature considers gun-reform bill

Thousands of angry students made their voices heard at Florida's Capitol in Tallahassee on Wednesday, saying lawmakers aren't doing enough to keep them safe. While they are dissatisfied with the lawmaking process, their efforts did get the pro-gun Legislature to consider some reform. More from WTXL and Politico.

See also:
» In Miami, a unanimous vote that softens the county’s stand on banning assault rifles
» Threats against schools increase since Florida shooting
» Florida's moment on guns

Tupperware CEO retiring, makes way for company's first female chief

The Kissimmee-based company built on the entrepreneurship of women will have a female CEO for the first time in its history. Tricia Stitzel will be promoted by the board of directors to president and CEO. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Big regional bank targets Florida for loan growth

First Commonwealth Bank, a western Pennsylvania-based bank with $7.4 billion in assets, is targeting the west coast of Florida for SBA loans. The bank recently named Mary Ann Homic vice president/senior SBA business development officer. Homic’s region, to start with, covers Tampa to Naples. More from the Business Observer.

Florida Crystals’ Fanjul brothers inducted into Ag Hall of Fame

Florida sugar industry pioneers Alfonso “Alfy” Fanjul, 80, and J. Pepe Fanjul, 73, were inducted into the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame earlier this month in Tampa. The Fanjul family’s roots in sugar reach back more than 150 years. The family left Cuba in 1959, founded their company in Florida in 1960 as Osceola Farms Co. and New Hope Sugar Company. More from the Palm Beach Post.