Florida Trend | Florida's Business Authority

Thursday's Afternoon Update

Freelancing becomes increasingly popular in Florida

The workforce is becoming increasingly segmented as many make the choice to work when and where they want, as freelancers. FreshBooks (in collaboration with Research Now) surveyed over 2,700 Americans who work full-time either as small business owners, freelancers or traditional employees. Over 1/3rd of traditional employees in six states say they plan to become self-employed in the next 5 years. The states are: Florida (39%), Massachusetts (38%); Texas (38%); North Carolina (38%); New York (36%); California (36%). See the full report here. Also read more from WTVT.

See also:
» More people now work for themselves in Miami than anywhere else
» Understanding the impact of the freelance economy (whitepaper)

Office Depot increases first-quarter sales by 6 percent

Office Depot said Wednesday it grew first-quarter sales by 6 percent to $2.8 billion over a year ago, beating Wall Street analysts’ expectations. The Boca Raton-based company, which is trying to reinvent itself as a business services company, noted that business service revenues now make up about 14 percent of the company’s total sales. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Florida’s First Coast of Golf parlays Players notoriety to boost area economy

Florida’s First Coast of Golf (FFCG), area tourism offices and Visit Florida will host a delegation of 15 golf tour and travel agents from China on a buyers education trip during Players Week. FFCG, a golf destination marketing organization, markets northeast Florida’s golf product to golf tourists globally. More from the Jacksonville Business Journal.

California, Florida stem cell clinics target of US lawsuit

Federal prosecutors in California and Florida sued on Wednesday to stop two companies from providing stem cell treatments, alleging the clinics marketed their procedures as remedies for ailments including cancer and heart disease without proof of safety and efficacy. More from the AP.

Commentary: Florida taxpayers and businesses may benefit from opportunity zones

Soon, individual and corporate taxpayers in Florida and elsewhere in the United States may have the choice of investing their 2018-2025 capital gains in “Qualified Opportunity Funds” rather than paying income taxes currently on such gains. More from the Daily Business Review.

Entertainment
Legoland Florida goes to the movies with expansion

 Touting it as the park’s biggest investment ever, a Legoland theme park expansion based on the company’s movie franchise will open next year. Legoland Florida in Winter Haven announced today that it plans to debut Lego Movie World in the spring. No specific date was given.

» More from the Orlando Sentinel and Spectrum News.

 

Out of the Box
Could license plates go digital?

floridaImagine never having to wait on that little registration sticker for your license plate. It's what a California company promises as it rolls out digital license plates, which they say is coming to Florida. The license number stays the same, but you can add extras, such as college or sports teams’ logos and change them at will.

UPDATE: The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles says they are not currently evaluating this product and they have no agreement to use this technology, at this time.

» Read more from WPBF, FOX 35, and WPTV.