Florida Trend | Florida's Business Authority

Monday's Afternoon Update

How small businesses were really affected by the government shutdown

The recent government shutdown hit federal workers the hardest, with some 800,000 furloughed or forced to work without pay. But small businesses in Florida, and across the United States, had to deal with unexpected trickle-down effects that caused disruption and uncertainty. "It has impacted my clients and therefore me" said one small-business owner in Florida. More from CNBC.

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» Analysis: Florida ranked 14th most affected by government shutdown

Florida oranges hold steady

In the first US Department of Agriculture crop forecast of the new year, Florida orange production was projected to hold steady with previous estimates while Florida grapefruit production dipped slightly – although both figures remain well above 2017/18 season levels. More from Fruitnet.

Small Business Advice
Business must anticipate change. It's inevitable.

In business, change is inevitable. There are many examples of strong companies that lost market share or went out of business because they failed to notice or misinterpreted innovations in their respective fields of endeavor. Read the full column from Gray Poehler.

Florida gas prices fall again after 8-cent hike

It's costing you less to fill up your gas tank in Florida than it did two weeks ago, according to AAA. The Auto Club Group reports the average price per gallon has declined by 5 cents after rising 8 cents two weeks ago. Florida now ranks 23rd for most expensive gas prices among all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Read more from AAA and from WJXT.

Sarasota considers ban on plastic straws

The Sarasota City Commission is considering banning single-use plastic straws citywide. The move would follow in the footsteps of other cities enacting similar bans of straws or polystyrene, including St. Petersburg, Sanibel, Fort Myers, Hollywood, Surfside, Coral Gables and Miami Beach. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Banking and Finance
How to get a business loan when you need one

 For businesses in need of funding for capital improvements, now is a good time to seek long-term business loans, says Tampa-based Valley Bank Commercial Banking Manager Ron Ciganek. Why? Because there's a narrow interest rate gap between short-term and long-term loans, Ciganek says, which makes the market ideal for borrowing for growth. But that doesn’t mean the money comes easy.

» More from the Business Observer.

 

Profile
He put American fine dining on the map. But his childhood in South Florida made him.

floridaIt was Thomas Keller who arguably put American fine dining on the map. He’s revered by other chefs with a respect that borders on religion. And his two fine-dining restaurants, French Laundry near Napa Valley, and Per Se in New York City, are considered among the very best in the world. But it was jostling for position at the nightly dinner table that made him long for the communion of dining with others.

» Read more from the Miami Herald.