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Thursday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Floridians more optimistic on finances and economy
Consumer confidence bounced back in Florida last month with growing optimism over future economic conditions. The University of Florida’s Consumer Sentiment Index released Wednesday gained 3.2 points to 99.3 in November after declining in October. All of the five components that make up the index increased in the report, showing stronger confidence among Floridians for the economy in 2020 and beyond. But the opinions of Florida consumers varied by gender and age. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Florida has some of the highest credit card debt in U.S.
Floridians are the owners of some of the largest credit card debt in the country, a new report says. A new report from CreditCards.com said Florida holds the seventh-highest credit card burden in the entire country. While New Mexicans have the highest amount of debt, the average Florida household has the twelfth-highest credit card debt of $8,620. Floridians also have the fourteenth-lowest median annual household income at $55,462. [Source: WFLA]
Grocers capitalize on the new meat revolution
The popularity of animal-based protein and protein-heavy diets such as keto and Paleo are prompting many grocers, including Lakeland-based Publix Super Markets, to up their value-added meat game. Accordingly, value-added meats have emerged as a strong growth area for grocers in recent years. [Source: Progressive Grocer]
Underemployment explained: Almost half of American workers have 'low-wage' jobs
Almost half of American workers are working in “low-wage” jobs, according to new research by the Brookings Institute. The report, published in November, shows 44% of U.S. workers are employed in low-wage jobs that pay median annual wages of $18,000. Florida appears to be one of the hot spots, with some of the heaviest concentrations of metropolitan areas with high percentages of low-wage workers. [Source: WTSP]
Art Basel artistry also comes in moving the artwork
Art Basel has pumped billions into the local economy, and has helped create a new niche: firms that have quickly become experts in moving delicate – and shockingly expensive – art works. “The transfer of art is definitely a niche market,” said Wayne “Chip” Withers, president of Withers Transportation Systems. Art collectors and galleries generally employ art handlers who take responsibility for the works, he said. [Source: Miami Herald]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Miami Super Bowl may be most expensive yet for hotel guests, analysts say
Miami’s upcoming Super Bowl may be the most expensive for visitors yet. The average daily hotel room rate in the Miami market could reach above $500 for the weekend January 31-February 2, 2020, according to an analysis by STR, a hospitality data company. If that happens, Miami’s 2020 Super Bowl will be the most expensive big game in recent history for hotel guests.
› Spring training home for Marlins and Cardinals may get big makeover
Spring training baseball has been a very good deal for Palm Beach County over the years, but not so good that commissioners will rubber-stamp a $111 million makeover for Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. The problem: When the money is allocated to fix up the joint spring home of the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals, there won’t be much cash left to develop other county tourist attractions.
› Studio Podcasts Suites opens in Jacksonville
Trending with the times, a Jacksonville business has opened a podcasting studio for rent. “With the explosive growth in podcasting locally and nationally, now is the best time to open our professional podcast studio concept in Jacksonville”, said Gary Spurgeon, owner of Studio Podcast Suites.
› SpaceX scrubs Wednesday launch to the space station. Next chance comes Thursday.
SpaceX’s next resupply mission to the International Space Station will have to wait for at least one more day. The company scrubbed its launch Wednesday because of high winds in the upper atmosphere and at sea. The spacecraft, which will include 5,700 pounds of supplies and more than 250 science experiments, will take off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station’s launch complex 40,
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