Florida retailers predicted to have better holiday season
Despite operating in one of the states hardest hit by the Great Recession, Florida retailers may enjoy a busier and more profitable holiday season than the rest of the country. The Florida Retail Federation predicted Tuesday that Christmas sales will increase from 3 percent to 3.5 percent in the state, better than the 2.8 percent gain forecast by a national group. "Florida has historically had a very robust retail economy, and for many years we have surpassed national growth," said Florida Retail President Rick McAllister. "There's a sense of momentum as we head into next year, and retailers are already aggressively advertising to get shoppers into the buying mood." [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Push is on to get students excited about science
By the time Halley's comet is visible from Earth in 2061, all Americans should be science-literate, according to leading science educators. University of Florida education researchers hope to shift the learning curve toward the sciences by implementing a new curriculum to help middle school students in rural districts learn science and math using $5 million from the National Science Foundation. . [Source: Gainesville Sun]
Staying power: Arthrex remains in Collier County
Reinhold Schmieding, founder and CEO of Naples-based Arthrex, fought against giving Maine-based Jackson Laboratory the $260 million in state and county tax incentives it wanted last year to open a genetics research facility near Ave Maria. Schmieding argued that the lab's potential economic impact was being exaggerated and any incentives the county had to give should go to expanding local companies instead. At one county commission meeting, more than 50 Arthrex employees showed up and urged commissioners to reject the deal. Read more...
 Arthrex workers protested incentives for Jackson Lab at a county commission meeting last year. Arthrex Founder and CEO: Reinhold Schmieding 2010 revenue: $970 million Employees: 1,500 Products: More than 5,000 implements used in arthroscopic and minimally invasive orthopedic surgical procedures |
Big changes coming to future workplace
Imagine a company where cubicles are gone and the work space resembles a Starbucks, barista included. Imagine another where no one has a personal office and people can work anywhere in the building, including the roof terrace, and any hours. These workplace designs are being embraced by companies rethinking business strategy. [Source: Miami Herald]
Florida senator: Companies that take tax incentives and run are "prostitutes"
Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, told Gov. Rick Scott's jobs czar Tuesday that the state should not pay companies for the "privilege" to relocate to Florida. He said the state should do a better job of "taking care of existing businesses" and that low taxes and few regulations should be incentive enough to attract new job creators.
"They don't need to be paid to move here because normally when you pay a company to move here, as soon as that incentive is done they're looking for the next state that's going to put some more money on the table and they relocate again because they've already proven themselves at being prostitutes," Bennett said. "That's what they're looking for."
[Source: Miami Herald]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Thousands line up for job with Marlins (no baseball skills needed)
In some sports-crazed towns, fans camp out overnight for tickets to can't-miss games, just to ensure a seat.
In Miami, they sleep on sidewalks not to see the Marlins, but for the chance to sell hotdogs at their home games.
In a scene that's played out at most every recent South Florida job fair, applicants at the Marlins' work expo Tuesday outnumbered the 2,000 available part- and full-time positions by at least two-to-one.
› Cigar City Brewing to start selling canned beer
Forget the bottle or the tap, Cigar City Brewing is putting beer back in the can. Tampa residents will soon see some of their favorite local craft beers in good old aluminum, says Cigar City founder Joey Redner. As soon as March 2012, Jai Alai IPA, Maduro Brown Ale, Tocobaga Red Ale, Hotter Than Helles Lager and Florida Cracker White Ale will make it into area shops in a traditional six-pack of cans for an average price of $9.99.
› Florida Studio Theatre plans major expansion and renovation project
Florida Studio Theatre is planning a major renovation renovation of its 88-year-old Gompertz Theatre and construction of a new building that will include two new theater spaces and a lobby and sidewalk cafe/restaurant.
› Brevard's Veterans Office honored as tops in Florida
The Brevard County's Veterans Office, recognized for assisting more than 72,000 local veterans and their families in benefit entitlements, was honored today as the top veterans agency in the state.
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› Teachers, facing low salaries, opt to moonlight
By day, Wade Brosz teaches American history at an A-rated Florida middle school. By night, he is a personal trainer at 24 Hour Fitness.
Brosz took the three-night a week job at the gym after his teaching salary was frozen, summer school was reduced drastically, and the state bonus for board certified teachers was cut. He figures that he and his wife, also a teacher, are making about $20,000 less teaching than expected to, combined.
› Scott vows to pursue PIP reform in 2012
With Gov. Rick Scott throwing his political weight behind it, a move to revamp Florida's no-fault auto insurance program will be pushed to the forefront of the 2012 Legislature.
But with a similar bill failing in 2011, there are no guarantees that proponents of changing the personal injury protection (PIP) law will be any more successful next year as it will pit the governor, insurance companies and top lawmakers against an equally powerful coalition including trial lawyers, doctors and other health-care providers.
› Auto Angels looking for cars it can give those in need
Polk County's Auto Angels are back at it this year, spiffing up used automobiles to be donated to needy families in time for Christmas.
The Angels, a consortium of 23 auto body shops, car dealers and parts vendors, are seeking applications for the car giveaway Dec. 20 at Victory Church in Lakeland.
The group has five cars in hand, but it hopes to acquire and refurbish several more. All of the autos will be serviced stem to stern.
› Nassau County making a play on Cecil Commerce Center's economic turf
Nassau County and Jacksonville-based Rayonier are busily creating their own version of Cecil Commerce Center, with one attractive difference: It sits at the junction of two major railroad lines.
At this point the Crawford Diamond Industrial Park's 1,814 acres are largely tree-covered. But $86 million in state road construction to widen access to the site could accelerate the timetable for a major manufacturer, such as an automobile plant, to take a serious look.
› Florida told to track cash incentives
Gov. Rick Scott's top jobs officials were told Tuesday to find a better way to track tax incentives the state has spent or else risk getting less cash next year.
"I want us to be nimble, but it has to come with accountability," said Rep. Mike Horner, a Kissimmee Republican in charge of the House committee that oversees tax incentives.
Scott's new Department of Economic Opportunity has asked lawmakers for $230 million in cash incentives, about two-and-a-half times more than it received this year. But the request follows a tumultuous several weeks as the department and its partner, Enterprise Florida, have struggled to wrap its arms around details of more than 1,600 incentive contracts worth $739 million that the state has signed since 1995.
› Edible bouquets make for hard but rewarding work
Lauren Little's business is all about fruit. As the owner of two Edible Arrangements franchise in Jacksonville, she sends out bouquets made of strawberries, cantaloupes and pineapple, usually as gifts.
She opened her first store in Avondale in 2006. Two years ago, she took over another in Mandarin.
She's 47 years old, a former Marine and her first job was in the McDonald's in Atlantic Beach. But she was working at Fidelity Information Services when she struck out on her own.