Tuesday's Daily Pulse
Cyber Monday to be biggest shopping day of year for Floridians
Cyber Monday has overtaken Black Friday as the busiest shopping day of the year for Floridians, says AAA. November is on track to be the busiest holiday shopping month as bargain hunters in the Sunshine State prepare to spend more on gifts this year. Among Floridians surveyed, more than 75 percent will begin shopping in November, with 49 percent looking for deals on Cyber Monday. AAA spokesman Josh Carrasco said, “Shopping online allows people to avoid the crowds and shop at their convenience." See the full report here. Also read more at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Florida scores big gains in Forbes' 'best states for business' list but still does not crack top 10
Forbes' recently released its 11th annual "Best States for Business" list, which finds that Florida climbed more spots in the rankings than any other state, rising eight places to No. 12 from No. 20. From the findings:
"Between 2006 and 2011, the bursting of the housing bubble crushed Florida’s economy, with home prices sinking 47% statewide. The decline catapulted Florida into having a surge of business closures. Florida’s economy is, however, on the rebound. The state’s projected job and population growth are both expected to be second best in the country over the next five years and income growth fourth fastest. Florida ranks second among larger states in the Kauffman Foundation’s Index of Startup Activity."
» Read more at Forbes and the Tampa Bay Times
Shorter Florida citrus crop brings later season, smaller volume
Florida citrus grower-shippers started their fall season a little later than normal with smaller volumes than previous seasons. Through early November, shipments increased and packers expect to harvest adequate volumes for most items. [Source: The Packer]
See also:
» Total sales down but OJ in smaller sizes growing in popularity
» Insight welcome on Florida agriculture’s state of the industry
Florida officials move forward with genetically modified mosquitoes, despite bitter foes
In a 3-2 vote on Saturday, the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District approved a trial of genetically modified mosquitoes designed to curb the spread of infectious diseases, such as Zika, dengue, and chikungunya. More from Ars Technica and the Verge.
U.S. businesses to pressure Trump to keep ties to Cuba
A powerful coalition of U.S. companies is preparing to appeal to President-elect Donald Trump's business instincts and drop his vow to reverse one of President Obama's signature achievements: renewed relations with Cuba. [Source: USA Today]
See also:
» Trump adds Cuba embargo supporter to transition team
› Orlando grapples with Airbnb, other rental networks [Orlando Sentinel]
Orlando is one of many cities across the country grappling with how best to regulate services such as Airbnb, HomeAway and FlipKey, which help homeowners rent out their property on a short-term basis to travelers seeking an alternative to traditional hotels.
Submit your ballot here. Voting closes on Friday, December 2nd..
› Sarasota company offering shares in REIT [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
A Sarasota-based company says it wants to raise up to $30 million to acquire and manage properties leased to federal government agencies.
› Miami-based Norwegian debuts new Harvest Caye resort-style cruise port in Belize [Press Release]
Miami-based Norwegian Cruise Line's newest private-resort destination, Harvest Caye, has officially opened.
› New House rule underscores the need for more flights to South Florida [Tallahassee Democrat]
The rule prohibits members from flying on private planes owned by lobbyists, even if they pay for the ride. The House will vote Tuesday on the rule along with several other new rules meant to lend more transparency to the legislative process,
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› Two more withdraw from FGCU presidential search [Fort Myers News-Press]
Two more candidates have withdrawn their candidacy to be Florida Gulf Coast University's next president. Karen Whitney, president at Clarion University in Pennsylvania, and Donna Henry, chancellor at the University of Virginia's College at Wise, no longer want to be considered for the job.
› One of Tampa's original cigar factories could soon be a boutique hotel [Tampa Bay Times]
They've been turned into offices, schools, restaurants and luxury apartments. And now one of Tampa's original cigar factories could soon be a boutique hotel.
› Talking tourism: Winter season changing along Emerald Coast [Destin Daily News]
Like everything else in the world’s biggest industry, the winter season on the Emerald Coast is changing. The emergence of a different type of Snowbird, and the way that many tourists now prefer more as well as shorter vacations, alters the way we work.
› This is a good week to get gas in Florida [Miami Herald]
Good news at the pump: Gas consumers should enjoy a well-timed drop in price. The AAA says Florida’s petrol price for regular sat at $2.108 per gallon Sunday, down from $2.159 a week before and $2.252 a month previous.