Tuesday's Afternoon Update

Florida small businesses fret over economic uncertainty

The latest results from the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Council survey ranks economic uncertainty as the leading obstacle preventing small businesses from growing and hiring new employees. Access to capital, Florida’s growth management process, government regulations and taxes round out the top five issues concerning Florida small businesses. Read more from the Tampa Bay Times and see the Small Business Index Survey.

Related:
» Florida Chamber survey shows why firms move to or from Florida

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CEO Sounding Board How hard is it to recruit workers with sufficient skills? Steve Santo, CEO of Avantair tells us: "We're lucky because we're in aviation in Florida. There's a large unemployed aviation workforce. The larger airlines have closed facilities so we're able to get trained mechanics and pilots and staff." » Read more from Santo and other Florida CEOs.

SeaWorld appeals killer-whale safety ruling

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment is appealing a federal judge's ruling that its animal trainers be forbidden from having unprotected contact with killer whales during public performances. The Orlando-based marine park operator said that it has submitted a petition to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission asking the panel to review the May 30 ruling. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

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Waste Management drivers keeping an eye out during the RNC

More than 80 Waste Management drivers received training early Tuesday on how to spot suspicious activity in the county while on their routes. The training, called Waste Watch, comes just weeks before the Republican National Convention kicks off in Tampa from Aug. 27-30. Drivers will be able to "act as an extra set of eyes and ears" for authorities, WM officials said. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

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COLUMN: Celebrate independence in the workplace

Americans pride ourselves on going our own way, doing our own thing. And no group of Americans is as intent on being independent as entrepreneurs and small-business owners. But while we started our companies to be independent, are we truly doing things our own way? Or are we captive to old ways of thinking? In honor of Independence Day, which we celebrated a week ago, it’s time for you to come up with your own Declaration of Independence. [Source: Florida Today]

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Female firefighters in South Florida face discrimination, harassment

Death threats. Timed bathroom visits — for women only. A stolen bathing suit soiled with a coworker's semen. Experts say bias in the firehouse is still commonplace, despite federal laws against harassment and discrimination. At least 10 firefighters who still or once worked for Davie, both men and women, have filed complaints with the EEOC alleging discrimination — prompting a visit from U.S. Department of Justice officials. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

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Small Business Survival Stories Sarasota's Octex does better than survive Two years ago, as other companies were trying to figure out how to just survive, Sarasota's Octex LLC was preparing to double down on an ambitious growth plan. The year before, 2009, had been the worst of the Great Recession, a year in which about 500 Sarasota County companies disappeared, according to a U.S. Census count. That was also the year Riverview High School graduate Jim Westman bought the Sarasota plastics company, in the belief it had great growth potential. Fast forward to late May, when Octex, which had just $5 million in assets on its balance sheet in 2010, completed the $7.6 million expansion hatched that year by its executives. Read more from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and Octex.

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