Why consumers may keep the economy from sinking

The U.S. economy is undoubtedly on a more slippery slope in early 2016. Just don’t expect growth to experience fatal fall so long as consumers keep their footing. Consumer spending — the main engine of the U.S. economy — rose 3.1% in 2015 to set the fastest pace since 2005. [Source: MarketWatch]

See also:
» Many see cause for optimism despite slower US job growth
» JP Morgan: US recession risk is growing
» Bear growls as global economy slows
» With economy improving, Obama wages war of words with GOP doomsayers

Entrepreneurial hubs are becoming America's new boomtowns

Two studies released last week indicate that at least a handful of smaller cities in the US, including the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina, Salt Lake City, Jacksonville, Florida and Nashville are emerging as places that investors and entrepreneurs are increasingly making bets. [Source: Forbes]

Florida considers anti-discrimination bill for LGBT rights

Some Republican lawmakers are backing a bill that would give lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents the protection against discrimination. Similar measures have been filed for about a decade and neither chamber of the Republican-dominated Legislature has given it a hearing until now. [Source: AP]

More businesses sharing office space

Offices aren't what they used to be. Businesses ranging from technopreneurs to lawyers are increasingly renting space in shared buildings known as "flexible" office space — a place where they might rent a desk by the month or just drop in when they need it. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Domestic airlines complain about international competition

A group of U.S. airlines complain that domestic carriers have lost about 13 percent of international passenger travel at Orlando International Airport because of foreign airlines such as Emirates entering the market. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› NASA picks science missions for first SLS launch [Florida Today]
While Kennedy Space Center welcomed an Orion capsule slated to launch atop NASA’s first Space Launch System rocket in 2018, NASA last week also unveiled a group of tiny science missions that will piggyback on that unmanned test flight.

› Florida lawmakers consider low-cost grocery store loans to promote healthy eating [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Concerned with the growing number of Floridians struggling to put nutritious yet affordable food on their tables, state lawmakers are weighing a proposal that would bring full-service stores to their neighborhoods.

› Jacksonville among top global cities for startup businesses [Florida Times-Union]
Jacksonville ranks among the top cities and regions in the world in fostering successful startup businesses and that’s no idle boast from local cheerleaders. Even researchers were scratching their heads when Jacksonville popped up as a leading global entrepreneurial city.

› Mild winter, weak Canadian dollar pinch South Florida tourism [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
A milder winter up north and currency problems in Canada and Brazil could chip away at tourism in South Florida this year. Already, some restaurants and hotels have noticed fewer Canadians coming through their doors, and the migration of snowbirds has slowed.

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› Sick children wait for medical marijuana as nurseries fight over who gets to grow it [Tampa Bay Times]
Efforts to get medical marijuana to critically ill Floridians are once again stalled, this time because of legal wrangling that could take months to resolve.

› Feds: Florida doing better job with anti-foreclosure program [Fort Myers News-Press]
It’s not often the Obama administration sides with Republican Gov. Rick Scott in a dispute with Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson. But that’s what happened this week in a disagreement over Florida’s management of the Hardest Hit Fund.

› Tourism industry pushes back against bed tax for public safety [Orlando Sentinel]
For the first time ever, tourism tax money could be used to pay for public safety expenses under a bill being considered in the Legislature. The tourism industry steadfastly opposes the move and has defeated similar measures in the past.

› Luxury travel company plans to restore SS United States [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
The SS United States has just been tossed a life preserver. In its 1950s heyday, the historic ship — the world’s fastest luxury liner — dashed across the Atlantic carrying royalty and immigrants alike to American shores.