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MONDAY, NOV. 2, 2009
STATEWIDE:
Politicians Still Cashing in on Free Trips
The rules have changed, but Florida's congressional delegation is still getting a free rides, paid for by private interests. Read report from Amy Keller ...
[Source: Florida Trend]
TALLAHASSEE:
Jeb Bush, the Biggest Threat to Crist's Run for Senate
What will a Marco Rubio endorsement from Jeb Bush do to Charlie Crist's chances? Despite their occasional public professions of mutual respect, the Crist-Bush rivalry is among the worst-kept secrets in Florida. It has served as an undercurrent in everything from Florida's presidential primary contest between Mitt Romney and John McCain to the current debate about the future of the GOP. [Source: St. Petersburg Times]
Also:
WEST PALM BEACH:
Realtors Roll Up Sleeves to Move Property
Today's Realtors are working harder than ever to secure their clients' loans from bashful banks and seal short-sale contracts that can take months to finalize. Giving up a smidge of commission is only the beginning.
When an appraisal is at stake, Realtor-fronted fixes to roofs, electrical systems and air conditioners are no longer taboo.
In this recovering market, agents have purchased and installed stoves - a required appliance for a Federal Housing Administration loan - paid for new carpet, cleaned up rat feces and helped landscape properties when a deal was on the fence.
[Source: Post]
Also:
GAINESVILLE:
Outlook: Latin America Business Climate to Improve
The business environment deteriorated in the 18 largest countries in Latin America this year but is poised to recover in most of them in 2010, according to a new report. Business owners operating in Latin American had been worried the global financial meltdown would bring an even deeper downturn in the region, followed by slow recovery, the pattern in past external shocks, says Terry McCoy, director of the Latin American Business Environment Program at the University of Florida. But instead, he says, by mid-2009, many of the region's economies were recovering more rapidly than in past crises. In his annual Latin American Business Environment Report, McCoy predicts an improved outlook for business in 14 of the largest Latin American countries next year. He predicts uncertainty in Honduras, Nicaragua, Ecuador and Venezuela. [Read report here]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Citizens Customers Get 5.4% Average Rate Increase [AP]
State-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. has won approval to raise rates by an average of 5.4% for homeowner coverage that includes hurricane damage, except in high-risk coastal areas where premiums will be revised later.
› Plan Re-Emerges to Shift Water Resources Across Florida [SP Times]
Six years ago, Florida's business leaders came up with a plan to create a state water commission that could route water from sleepy North Florida to supply the booming development in South Florida. But their plan proved so controversial that Gov. Jeb Bush scuttled it.
› Bank, Manufacturer Hold Off on Move into Ave Maria [Naples Daily News]
Naples-based medical product maker Arthex has put their plans for a $20 million, 200,000-square-foot facility in Ave Maria on hold. Meanwhile, Florida Community Bank’s plan to relocate their headquarters to Ave Maria from Immokalee and open a branch are also on hold.
small biz advice
› Learning vs. Training [Florida Trend]
Many larger companies are now changing their training departments to learning departments. See why.
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Sarasota County Rethinks Growth [Herald-Tribune]
When it came to economic development there was always a certain snobbishness to Sarasota County's approach, a leftover from the days when officials actively discouraged development.
But recession, the end of the building boom and a future made uncertain by the growing options of retirees has turned the old economic development model on its head.
›
Grand Jury Indicts UF Professor, Wife in Fraud Case [SP Times]
A University of Florida professor and his wife have been indicted by a federal grand jury on multiple counts of wire fraud and money laundering that stem from $3.7 million in contracts the couple entered into with NASA, the Air Force and the Navy.
› Despite Dent, Rocket Test Goes 'Rock-Steady' [Today]
NASA's slender Ares I-X flew a "rock-steady" test flight that allayed fears that the rocket might shake so violently that it could injure or kill astronauts, a program official said Friday.
› Would Health Reform Bill Help Florida? [Health News Florida]
Florida lawmakers have been wary of federal health reform in part because it uses Medicaid to cover many of the uninsured. They say the program is already busting the budget. But an expert on Medicaid policy says the expansion would be "good for Florida."
› SeaWorld Joins Disney, Universal By Raising Ticket Prices [Sentinel]
SeaWorld and Busch Gardens will raise base ticket prices to nearly $80.
But the resort at the same time will reduce the price of its popular "Fun Cards."
› Foreign Investors Dominate in South Fla. Real Estate Purchases [Herald]
"Sixty percent of our buyers are foreign," yet there are no loans being made to foreign nationals, said Milton, president and chief executive of J. Milton & Associates in Coral Gables.
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