March 28, 2024

Tuesday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 7/23/2019

A talented workforce and the rising probability of a recession leave Florida's small businesses feeling uncertain

Florida lawmakers over the past decade have adopted bills designed to grease the “talent pipeline” in competing for high-tech economic development. But at least one component of Florida’s employers remain concerned about finding the quality workforce they need to compete – small businesses, especially those with five or fewer employees. According to the Florida Chamber’s Third Quarter Small Business Survey, finding qualified workers to fill available jobs is the most pressing issue among the state’s small business owners. Read more at the Center Square and see the news release from the Florida Chamber.

JEA board to consider layoffs or moving forward with privatization

JEA’s chief executive officer Aaron Zahn will ask his board of directors on Tuesday to consider two landscape-altering solutions to remedy the existential problems he says JEA faces in the future: lay-off 574 employees or allow him to explore privatizing the city-opened water and electric utility. More from the Florida Times-Union.

Office Depot begins selling products on China-based Alibaba site

Consumers can now find Office Depot’s copier paper, file boxes and office break-room supplies on Alibaba.com. Office Depot began selling its products Tuesday on Alibaba.com’s site, which was opened to U.S. sellers. Office Depot is among the first U.S. companies to join the China-based global e-commerce site. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Dark Horizon: California company stirs up another Halloween event for Orlando

Another Halloween experience is moving into the Orlando market. Dark Horizon: Point of No Return will set up shop with three haunted houses, four bars, two stages and about 150 monsters, organizers announced Tuesday. Organizers see Dark Horizon as the arrival of West Coast-style of Halloween haunt to Florida. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

John Morgan launches website, social media campaign pushing for minimum wage amendment

Orlando attorney John Morgan has announced the formal launch of the campaign to push for passage of a new constitutional amendment raising the state’s minimum wage to $15 per hour. Morgan is backing the political committee Florida for a Fair Wage, which is behind the proposed amendment. The group has already spent months working to acquire signatures to place the effort on the ballot. But they’re now shifting into the gear of trying to win over the public. More from Florida Politics.

Out of the Box
Tinder for birds? Land trust will help lonely Florida scrub-jays match and mate

 The majestic little blue and gray bird known as the Florida scrub-jay isn’t just a pretty face — it’s special. The species is the only bird that is unique, or endemic, to Florida. And, like many of the state’s natural wonders, the scrub-jay is in danger of disappearing forever. So what’s a conservationist to do? Unfortunately for biodiversity, birds don’t have dating websites or apps to meet local singles. That’s where a local land trust is stepping in.

» More from the Bradenton Herald.

 

Business Profile
One Gutter Guard

floridaThe gutter industry isn’t high on most entrepreneurs’ lists of sexy and sizzling businesses to grab onto. But Jon Sjostedt and Bobby Jackson, after more than 20 years in medical device and products, believe gutters are ripe for disruption. The pair aims to prove it with One Gutter Guard, their recently patented product that uses an interchangeable mesh — a technological innovation in gutter guard design — that helps solve gutter clogging problems.

» Read more from the Business Observer.

Tags: Daily Pulse, Afternoon Pulse

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Florida Trend Video Pick

Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices
Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices

Central Floirda chocolate shops are left with a bitter taste as cocoa prices hit an all-time high earlier this week.

Video Picks | Viewpoints@FloridaTrend

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