Nearly half of Florida's counties have fewer jobs than a decade ago

As Gov. Rick Scott points to the 1.6 million jobs added to Florida’s economy during his tenure, three dozen mostly rural counties in the state report having fewer jobs than they did in 2007. Nearly half of Florida's 67 counties had fewer jobs than a decade ago, according to a report last year by the Florida Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Most are smaller counties in North and Central Florida and around Lake Okeechobee. More from the Orlando Sentinel, the Miami Herald, and the Tampa Bay Times.

Florida Trend Exclusive
High tech, low-carb

Ken Ford co-founded an institute that made its name in computers, artificial intelligence and engineering. Scientific prestige is now meeting fame: Ford and the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition have also become well-known for their expertise in the high-fat, no carb ketogenic diet. Full report here, includes photo gallery.

» This is the first of a series about research and innovation in Florida. Coming tomorrow: The commercial use of drones skyrockets. 

Lawmakers adopt ‘positive' long-range financial forecast

The financial outlook, which was adopted unanimously by the Legislative Budget Commission, projects a $223 million surplus for the next budget year, which begins July 1. It is a modest surplus, representing only 0.6 percent of the estimated $34.6 billion in general revenue projected for next year. See the document, "State of Florida: Long Range Financial Outlook" and the 3-year plan presentation (PDF of a Powerpoint). Also read more at WJXT and the Naples Herald.

Your turn:
» With Florida's government projecting a positive budget outlook, what do you think is the most important for state to invest in? (quick poll)

Floating homes that can withstand Category 4 hurricanes will soon become a reality

While the idea of a hurricane-proof home may sound far-fetched, a Florida housing startup called Arkup has created a residence that can withstand rising sea levels and Category 4 hurricanes. The key lies in its hydraulic while lifting it 40 feet above the ocean floor. [Source: Business Insider]

The WORK of ART: In an arts town, most artists still need second jobs

Hundreds of Sarasota actors, dancers, singers, musicians and visual artists know the high points and low comedy of starting a career. Most try and fail to support themselves as performers. They take second and third jobs. They scrimp and sacrifice. For many, a life in the arts amounts to a vow of poverty. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]

See also:
» Artspace could help artists afford Sarasota

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Palm Beach County looks to improve youth training, skills for future work force [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Young people entering the work force are lacking both the technical and soft skills they need to succeed in the workplace, according to a study released last week by the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County.

› Boat-based ice cream shop sues Walton County to stay afloat [Florida Record]
An ice cream retailer that sells frozen treats from an inflatable boat is asking a Florida district court to put a freeze on efforts by Walton County code enforcement to shut down the floating shop in the Gulf of Mexico.

› Report on Florida’s St. Johns River is mixed bag [AP]
A new report says development and the spread of non-native wildlife are all increasing strains on the health of the St. Johns River, which runs through north Florida. The report released Friday by researchers from Jacksonville University, the University of North Florida and Florida Southern College in Lakeland was a mixed bag.

› Country star Blake Shelton opening Ole Red restaurant in Orlando [Orlando Sentinel]
Ole Red is slated to open in 2020 at the Icon Orlando 360 complex, the entertainment and dining district that includes the Icon Orlando observation wheel, Sea Life Aquarium and Madame Tussauds wax museum.

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› JEA, Clay Electric and area relief agencies respond to help Hurricane Florence victims [Florida Times-Union]
Neighbors help each other when disaster strikes — even if it’s across state lines. They didn’t know their names but the people who a convoy of 51 JEA employees headed north to help Saturday morning are neighbors in need just the same.

› Cuban refugee numbers plummet in Tampa area with cuts at Havana embassy [Tampa Bay Times]
It’s been nearly a year since the U.S. embassy in Havana suspended processing requests from people hoping to leave the island nation as refugees. The reason: Staffing was reduced to a skeleton crew in the wake of mysterious health attacks on embassy personnel.

› Canadian company Caredove builds health services directory for Orlando [Orlando Sentinel]
Caredove is an online platform that makes it easy for providers, patients and their families to find services and make appointments, whether it’s for a meal program, wound care services, a skilled nursing facility, or a range of other services.

› Magic Leap to have its first-ever 'LeapCon' conference — but not in South Florida [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Magic Leap has announced it is planning its first-ever “LeapCon” conference — but not in South Florida, where the company is headquartered. The invitation-only event, geared toward “developers, creators, pioneers and visionaries,” will be Oct. 9-10 in Los Angeles.