TUESDAY, OCT. 13, 2009
LAKEWOOD RANCH:
Firms Poised to Bet Billions on Real Estate
Starwood Land Ventures LLC does not like to think of itself as the 800-pound vulture in the residential real estate room. "We're an opportunity fund," said Mike Moser, the Lakewood Ranch-based company's East Coast president. "We're trying to invest in very, very high-risk, high-reward properties." With roughly $500 million available to sop up distressed residential lots, soured real estate loans and undeveloped property, Starwood Land is in an enviable position to capitalize on what it believes will be a significant change in the way home builders operate from now on. [Source: Herald-Tribune]
- Local government is winning over new law that favors builders
- Europeans turn eyes back toward Florida
STATEWIDE:
Nine Bio-Energy, Ethanol Projects Proposed
Nine bio-energy or ethanol projects are being proposed in Florida and at least five others are under discussion, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. DEP is holding an informational meeting Wednesday in Port St. Joe on one of those projects proposed by Biomass Gas & Electric of Norcross, Ga. The company proposes a 44-megawatt biomass gas plant to produce electricity for Progress Energy. The BG&E project is one of four biomass electricity or ethanol plants for which DEP has received permit applications to build. [Source: Bruce Ritchie]
ORLANDO:
Can We Nurture and Retain Talent in State?
Every political and economic development leader at Monday's "Talent Summit" organized by the Florida Chamber of Commerce insists Florida's economy is in an historic transition from old school tourism and agriculture to new age biotech and green energy. "As the economy transitions," says Florida Chamber CEO Mark Wilson, "talent is the new economic currency around the world." Here are the five best insights expressed at the summit ... [Source: St. Petersburg Times]
- Business Florida 2010: Florida's got talent
TALLAHASSEE:
No Criminal Wrongdoing Found in Public Service Commission
Leon County State Attorney Willie Meggs said Monday that a joint investigation between his office and state police into the state's public utilities regulator has not turned up any criminal wrongdoing. "At this point, everything that has come up is a dead end, as far as any criminal skullduggery going on,'' Meggs said. Meggs said investigators from his staff and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement have interviewed the five current and former members of the Public Service Commission and their staff about potential open-meeting violations. [Source: Times/Herald]
- PSC instant messages: there may be more
- AG seeks to 'bust the myth' that technologies skirt Sunshine Law
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Price-Gouging Law Questioned by ExxonMobilOne of the world's largest oil companies says state price gouging laws are so broad that it could be in violation virtually any moment a state of emergency is declared. The company said it would consider leaving Florida if the state does not clarify its law.
› Pari-Mutuels Get Green Light for Virtual Blackjack
The state has just approved a virtual blackjack game that's just a live dealer away from the real thing. Five players sit at a video terminal, and an animated computerized person doles out cards.
› Hillsborough Is Buying Fixer-Uppers
The $3.9-billion Neighborhood Stabilization Program, which is part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, targets $541 million to buy foreclosed and abandoned properties in Florida.
› UCF Takes Step to Help Doctors Go Paperless
The University of Central Florida's College of Medicine has received preliminary approval from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to establish a "regional extension center" that would help local doctors get wired into health information technology. From Trend: e-Prescriptions would save lives
› Small-Farm Owners Appeal Denial of Exemptions
Despite elaborate rules detailing what constitutes a legitimate exemption, feelings are running high this year as Property Appraiser Ken Wilkinson continues to crack down on what he considers abuses of the system.
› Alan Mendelsohn Case: Checks, Lies and Audiotape
FBI recordings reveal a turning point in a two-year corruption investigation that resulted in the indictment of a Broward eye doctor at the center of a GOP fundraising scandal.
› Orlando's 'Die Quickly' Congressman Hosts Healthcare Event
Rep. Alan Grayson, who made waves by saying Republicans' health care plan is to hope sick people "die quickly," is holding a town hall meeting on health care. Nationwide: Health insurers' study sends politicos scrambling
› American Keystone Insurance to Be Liquidated
The 2-year-old insurer has about 7,800 homeowners, commercial, residential and wind policies in force.
› Arts Fest Encourages FSU to Strengthen Sarasota Ties
Basking in the glow of an inaugural arts festival that far outstripped expectations, representatives of the Ringling Museum of Art and Florida State University Monday vowed to strengthen the university's presence in Sarasota.
›
Crist Lays Out His Conservative Credits
Gov. Charlie Crist sent a message to his nearest Republican primary opponent for the U.S. Senate during a Lakeland appearance Monday: Don't try to out conservative him.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
› Few File for China Drywall Tax Cut
The Hillsborough County Property Appraiser's Office is offering a break to homeowners with tainted drywall imported from China and is surprised more people aren't taking advantage of it. So far, 220 cases have been filed with the office, although business seems to be picking up.
› Businesses Line Up for New Orlando Arena Concessions Deal
Behind-the-scenes lobbying for a big-money contract to feed hordes of fans is already in overtime — and may have claimed its first casualty.
› 2,200 Vying for Feds' High-Speed Internet Grants
But the agencies only have $4 billion to spend. The awards are expected to be announced next month.
commentary
› Even If It's Legal, It Might Not Be Right
So we have: Public officials socializing with public officials who then vote on projects those lobbyists push, often with either our tax dollars or our interests in the middle. Public officials moonlighting as lobbyists, leveraging their clout in one arena to influence public officials in another. Public officials' spouses involved in lobbying, or getting politically-connected jobs.
› Harris Snags Latest in Series of Deals with Air Force Agency
Melbourne-based Harris Corp. has received an Air Force deal potentially worth $7.5 million to support the military's aviation command-and-control network.
› Local Firms Go Global with Help of the State
Four businesses in Sarasota/Manatee have expanded their international contacts and sales using state grant money administered by the Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County and the Manatee Economic Development Council.