Small-business owners in Florida struggling to fill open jobs
Small-business owners across America are reporting continued openings for potential workers. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) published its October jobs report, finding that 32% of small-business owners reported job openings they could not fill last month. There are no specific figures available for Florida job openings among small businesses. But NFIB Florida Executive Director Bill Herrle said independent business owners in the Sunshine State are having difficulty getting prime positions filled, especially as the holiday shopping season ramps up. [Source: Florida Politics]
Indie music venues brought $7.8 billion to Florida's economy, report says
Independent music venues in Florida generated $7.8 billion in economic output and added $4.2 billion to the state GDP, per a first-of-its-kind report. The report was produced by the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) to inform policymakers and music industry stakeholders about the importance of independent venues. [Source: Axios]
Amid new FAA restraints, SpaceX launch sets record
The government shutdown’s strain on air traffic control has not only led to limitations on airlines, but spaceflight too. The Federal Aviation Administration implemented space launch restraints so commercial launches have to fall between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. as of Monday. That has led to a pivot from SpaceX for several of its planned launches on the Space Coast including a record-setting one knocked out Monday night. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Florida’s next frontier: Lawmakers weigh nuclear innovation to power a growing state
The state’s rapidly growing population underscores the need for energy solutions that can keep pace with this growth — especially as demand for new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, becomes essential for national security and global economic leadership. Cayce Hinton of the Florida Public Service Commission presented findings from a study commissioned by the Legislature to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of using advanced nuclear power technologies, including small modular reactors, to meet the state’s electrical power needs. [Source: Florida Politics]
Fifth annual Florida Climate Conference asks how we'll pay for climate change
One of the important questions that experts will tackle this week when they gather for the Climate Adaptation Center’s fifth annual Climate Forecast Conference will be how we’re going to pay for a warming planet. Colin Polsky, professor of geosciences and associate vice president of Broward campuses at Florida Atlantic University, is one of the speakers at this year’s conference on Nov. 13 at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee. Just last year, he was tapped to head the newly formed Florida Office of Ocean Economy. [Source: Sarasota Magazine]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Florida consumer advocate slams FPL’s ‘unconscionable’ rate hike deal
The public counsel who was appointed by the Florida Legislature to represent utility customers eviscerated a deal proposed by Florida Power & Light and mostly big-business interest groups to settle the utility’s rate case, saying Monday the proposal would result in an “unconscionable” rate of return for shareholders and “unfair, unjust, and unaffordable” rates for residents.
› Publix stock price falls for first time in years
Publix Super Markets’ stock price fell for the first time in two years after the Lakeland grocery giant posted a second consecutive quarter of declining sales. Publix shares decreased to $20.40 from an all time high of $21.15 per share, as of Nov. 1, according to a regulatory disclosure. Shares are not publicly traded and are only available for sale to current Publix employees and members of its board of directors.
› For 100 lucky families, Palm Beach County homebuyer match program in works would save $50,000
A “Homebuyer Match Program” could soon provide 100 middle-income families with up to $50,000 toward the purchase price of a Palm Beach County home. Designed to help address the county’s housing affordability crisis, county commissioners on Oct. 28 instructed Housing and Economic Development Director Jonathon Brown to move forward with what Brown called the first-of-its-kind program in Florida.
› Needy residents overwhelm Central Florida food banks
Jennifer Desir Hilaire, founder and executive director of the Desire Foundation, Inc., which has food pantries in East Orlando and Paramore, said on a typical day her foundation distributes food to about 115 families. Monday, it gave groceries to more than 250. “I have been doing this the last 10 years of my life, and I have never seen this many people calling, texting and asking for food. Never. It’s ridiculous. It’s bananas,” Hilaire said.
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› Florida employers gain competitive edge as USF expands federally funded cybersecurity program
A USF program designed to meet the critical shortage of cybersecurity professionals is now providing measurable benefits to businesses and government organizations across Florida. Due to its success, the university is nearly doubling enrollment, offering it for free to 400 military veterans, first responders and public-sector professionals.
› Florida files permit to control red snapper fishing season in the Atlantic
Gov. Ron DeSantis is again pushing for the state to gain control of red snapper management from the feds to give fishermen a longer season in the Atlantic Ocean. DeSantis announced that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has submitted an exempted fishing permit (EFP) to the U.S. Department of Commerce to allow Florida manage the recreational red snapper fishing season in the Atlantic starting in 2026.
› Florida Department of Corrections offers $1,000 hiring bonus for new officers
New corrections officers will get a $1,000 signing bonus at many prisons across the state of Florida. The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) announced new officers will receive paid training, retirement benefits, opportunities for career advancement, and a comprehensive benefits package available to all State of Florida employees.
› Gainesville tech businesses face change from tariffs
David Miller has been finding quick fixes for more than just his customer’s computers. Miller is the current owner of Impact Computers, a Gainesville installation he has helped operate for over three decades. In the past few months, he said, rising costs and delivery delays have hindered his most straightforward repairs. “I'm getting to the part where I will order a thing, have tracking information on it, and then it will vanish,” he said. “And then I will never get that part.” This trend, Miller said, is the result of fluctuating tariffs.