Wednesday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 10/17/2012

Florida job openings increase sharply

The Sunshine State had more than 268,000 online job openings in September, up 15 percent from the year-ago period, according to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. In addition, the number of September online job postings increased by more than 4,300 jobs compared to August 2012. More at the Orlando Business Journal and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

Miami bids to woo Asian air carriers

An incentives program used as a beacon to guide 19 airlines and nearly 2 million passengers yearly to Miami International Airport since 2005 has now set its radar on emerging economic markets and the Asia/Pacific region — with new financial enticements. More at Miami Today.

Disney announces weekly park surprises for 2013

Business Profile

ABC Domes

After hurricanes crisscrossed Florida in 2004 and 2005, Peter Fedele, who has spent his career in the construction business, researched which types of buildings fared best during storms.

The answer kept coming up domes, which led to ABC Domes, a disaster recovery company based in Lakeland.

» ABC Domes

Disney on Wednesday announced a new program for 2013 in which guests will encounter surprise weekly themes at Disney parks in Florida and California. The new program, "Limited Time Magic," was being announced at a morning event in Times Square where Disney also unveiled a three-story castle made of ice. More at the AP.

Learn how to find solutions on the job

With the recession and cutbacks, it has become easy to be a workplace whiner or someone who points out roadblocks. What’s more difficult is being the person who calmly puts on his or her problem-solving cap and bring ideas and solutions. More at the Miami Herald.

Homegrown insurer looks to grow more

Florida Peninsula Insurance Co. decided 2005 was a good time to get into the property insurance market when others were getting out. Statewide, Florida Peninsula, a privately held insurer with headquarters in Boca Raton, has about 125,000 customers, ranking No. 7 in market share as of June 30, according to a state database. And it’s about to add more. More at the Palm Beach Post.

Out of the Box
Purebred, pricey and precious

Marcus Shackleford's herd stands out a little more than most. The striking white-colored cattle with the distinctive hump lend an exotic look to the quintessential Florida landscape on his Wauchula ranch. These are purebred Brahman cows and bulls, heat tolerant and often bred with Angus to create the popular Brangus cattle currently found on most Florida ranches.