The big business of Florida lobster

Before the Chinese started buying their lobsters, the fishermen of the Florida Keys were getting just $3 a pound for their catch with almost all of it being sold in local restaurants. Today the price has settled to $10 to $14 a pound. But the Chinese demand for lobster has left restaurants from Key West to Miami struggling to keep Florida lobster on their own menus. See a short video about the investigation from CBS and read more at CBS Miami.

Florida Trend Exclusive
Economic strengths, challenges in Southwest Florida

Tampa and Hillsborough County earn a thumbs up for economic development, education and employment. St. Petersburg and Pinellas County get thumbs up for the arts and public safety but a thumbs down for neighborhood redevelopment. More counties are profiled, from Naples/Collier County up through Crystal River/Citrus County. Profiles include people to watch and business roundups. Full story here.

» Coming tomorrow: A look at the economy in Central Florida, covering the region from Daytona through Melbourne on the east coast, and west through The Villages, Orlando and Orange County.

Will a Democratic wave hit Florida? Here’s what the data says

Democrats in Florida and across the country say immigrants and mobilized young voters could lead to a Democratic wave that will significantly weaken the state’s Republican Party. But so far, data from voter registrations, polling and special elections should temper that enthusiasm. [Source: Florida Times-Union]

Your turn:
» Are you expecting a "Democratic wave" in Florida (i.e. increased voter registrations, enough to impact GOP)? (quick poll)

Tax Freedom Day comes seven days earlier in Florida

It took 103 days into the year for Floridians to take care of their tax burden, according to the Tax Foundation, a nonpartisan research organization. Once again, state residents did better than the nation as a whole. The national Tax Freedom Day, when all Americans collectively will have earned enough to pay their tax debts, falls on April 19 this year. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]

Panel tees up proposed changes to Florida Constitution

The Florida Constitution Revision Commission is heading to the finish line, with a dozen ballot proposals up for final votes this week. The 37-member commission, which is unique to Florida, meets every 20 years and has the power to place proposed changes to the state Constitution directly on the Nov. 6 general-election ballot. [Source: St. Augustine Record]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Palm Beach boat show floats on rising attendance, sales [Palm Beach Daily News]
The Palm Beach International Boat Show, held in March along Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach, is a mainstay of the global yachting community, attracting high-level boat buyers, charter clients and sport fishing enthusiasts.

› ‘A natural-born marketer’: Lakeland native a young entrepreneur on the rise [Lakeland Ledger]
When Polk County starts honoring its famous business leaders as much as it does its professional sports heroes, former Lakeland resident Chris Smith could be near the front of the line. Smith, 38, a graduate of Kathleen High School, co-founded a company and website called “Curaytor” in 2013.

› Naming rights for iconic St. Petersburg landmark could be up for grabs [Business Observer]
That most St. Petersburgian of St. Pete landmarks, the Pier, could see some corporate branding. The new Pier won’t be open for at least another year, but already the city is considering accepting bids for naming rights for the amenity.

› Tax break approved for food company's 95-employee Melbourne expansion over objections [Florida Today]
Brevard County commissioners have approved property tax breaks for a company that is considering opening a 95-employee food production, packaging and distribution facility in Melbourne.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Khan’s vision for downtown Jacksonville development faces knotty challenges [Florida Times-Union]
The Jaguars’ “State of the Franchise” on Thursday will double as a “State of Downtown” for team owner Shad Khan. The event will come one year after the Downtown Investment Authority picked Khan’s Iguana Investments Florida as the top choice to be master developer of Metropolitan Park and The Shipyards, two city-owned tracts of riverfront land across the street from the sports complex.

› AT&T's first new entertainment store in Florida has opened in Fort Lauderdale [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
AT&T on Friday opened what it has billed as an “entertainment store” in downtown Fort Lauderdale, with a new design that focuses on how consumers use their mobile phones.

› The head of the Miami-based home building giant Lennar is stepping down after 21 years [Miami Herald]
Stuart Miller, who served as CEO of Miami-based Lennar Corp., one of the largest home builder in the U.S., is stepping down from the post after 21 years. The announcement came after a vote by Lennar's board of directors on Thursday.

› Florida’s delegation presses for Kennedy Space Center launch support money for NASA’s next big rocket [Florida Politics]
Congressional letters signed by a large majority of Florida’s delegation are urging congressional leaders to support full funding not just for NASA’s next spacecraft and rocket but for critical upgrades at Kennedy Space Center to launch them.