Author: Site Staff

PSC to power companies: Show me the money

PSC to power companies: Show me the money By KEITH LAING | THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDATALLAHASSEE — With the state's two largest public utilities asking the Public Service Commission to allow them to raise rates, the PSC ruled Tuesday that…

Hartford to refund $48 million in comp premiums

Hartford to refund $48 million in comp premiums By MICHAEL PELTIER | THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA TALLAHASSEE — Hartford Financial Service Group will repay $48.2 million in workers’ compensation premiums to Florida companies under an agreement announced Wednesday by Florida Insurance…

Economists: Revenue estimates down slightly, economy stabilizing

Economists: Florida revenue estimates down slightly, economy stabilizing By JOHN KENNEDY | THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDATALLAHASSEE — Florida’s tax collections are flowing in $147.1 million below expected levels, but the relatively mild shortfall left Florida economists Tuesday waving off talk…

EnergyFLA: Florida Should Reap Oil Benefits

EnergyFLA: Florida Should Reap Oil Benefits Business Wire TALLAHASSEE — Florida should look at California's landmark bipartisan agreement to permit oil drilling in state waters as a way to put people to work and help fund vital public services in the face…

A Record Number of Days at the Park

A Record Number of Days at the Park By The News Service of Florida More people visited Florida state parks in the recently completed fiscal year than ever before, the state Department of Environmental Protection said Wednesday. The most popular…

Howard Group Pays It Forward

Do-Good DeveloperHoward Group develops prestigious retail and residential properties while supporting the community’s philanthropic needsBy Ashley Kahn Founded by Keith Howard in 1987, Howard Group has developed upscale resort residences — Vizcaya at Dune Allen and Blue Mountain Beach —…

Michelle Anchors' Mission to Better Fort Walton Beach

Community MainstayMichelle Anchors helms a multigenerational mission to better Fort Walton BeachBy Wendy O. Dixon Waking up early does not come naturally to Fort Walton Beach attorney and mother Michelle Anchors. Most days, with some nudging from her husband, the…

Bud Finlaw Takes On Internet Vacation-Booking Giants

Have Web, Will TravelBud Finlaw goes toe-to-toe with online vacation-booking giantsBy Lilly Rockwell Nine years ago, Bud Finlaw saw opportunity in the Internet when his Panama City advertising company began to stall. With no office, a handful of computers and…

The Bad and the Good that Comes with Spring Break

Beer Bongs Versus Big BucksWeighing the bad and the good that comes with Spring BreakBy Tony Bridges There are few topics as controversial in Panama City Beach as Spring Break. The community spends thousands of dollars every year to attract…

Stress, Fear and Loathing

How to handle post-traumatic layoff syndrome for employees still on the job.   Stress, Fear and LoathingHow to handle your employees who survive the layoffs    By Tim Collie   For many employees these days each morning brings a new episode of…

Turn a New Phrase

Learning a foreign language is a snap with Rosetta Stone software. Turn a New PhraseTake your business worldwide by learning to speak your clients’ language   By Ashley Kahn  It is a small world after all. In a global economy that…

Richard Campbell is Revolutionizing the Cable Industry

Self-Taught InventorFrom bicycles to aeronautics, Richard Campbell is revolutionizing the cable industry By Jennifer Ewing It’s safe to say Richard Campbell has his fair share of atypical childhood memories. A self-taught inventor since the age of 14, he spent many…

Pen and Paper Not Required

Virtual closings make the real estate closing process faster and easier.     Pen and Paper Not Required‘Virtual Closing’ speeds up, simplifies the real-estate closing process   By Margie Plunkett The closing, the final step in buying or selling a home, has…

To Incorporate Or Not To Incorporate?

What factors you should consider when contemplating incorporation.     To Incorporate Or Not To Incorporate? Get all the information before you commit    By Paul A. Norman Tax credits. Protecting your personal assets. Writing off a trip to Las Vegas…

Small-Business Samaritan

The right way to ask for a loan.   Small-Business SamaritanTallahassee banker James Dilworth is looking out for the little guys    By Diane Hirth In this teeter-tottering economy, you drive by a favorite lunch spot or watering hole one day…

Executive Luxuries and Must-Haves

How to get your hands on: Swarovski binoculars, stainless steel wallet, assorted cookie gifts, rosewood glasses frames, compact iron, computer backup system, and handmade handbags. By Tisha Crews Keller EAGLE EYE Swarovski Tyrol B Pocket 8x20mm Leather Binoculars are crafted…

Ace in the Hole

Beth Murphy, general manager at Southwood Golf Club, chose to swap suits for golf clothes.     Beth Murphy, TallahasseeDirector of Golf, SouthWood Golf Club Beth Murphy loves golf. Though, as every manager understands, she finds less and less time…

Soaring On

Soaring On Putting Florida's aerospace industry on the launch pad   By John Eric Vona   By the end of 2010, NASA will retire its remaining three shuttles and Florida may lose an estimated 8,000 jobs around the state. Employing…

What Did the 2009 Legislature Accomplish?

A look at what lawmakers did — and didn’t — accomplish for business during the 2009 session.   The Shakeout A look at what lawmakers did — and didn’t — accomplish for business during the 2009 session.   David Daniel’s…

The Bold New Face of Entrepreneurship

One part courage and one part economic downturn, area entrepreneurs have found the recipe for turning the tables on market nay-sayers       Recession-Proof IngenuityOne part courage and one part economic downturn, area entrepreneurs have found the recipe for…

Visit, Vacation, Revitalize

A new airport, improved roads and savvy marketing will transform Northwest Florida into the new tourism mecca       Visit, Vacation, RevitalizeA new airport, improved roads and savvy marketing will transform Northwest Florida into the new tourism mecca By…

Poll: Voters Willing to Pay Higher Insurance Bills

Poll: Voters Willing to Pay Higher Insurance BillsBy Michael Peltier | The News Service of Florida  TALLAHASSEE — Facing a potential veto by a reluctant governor, the Florida Chamber of Commerce has released a poll indicating voters are willing to…

Florida’s Economic Growth Among Worst in Nation

Florida's Economic Growth Among Worst in Nation By Linda Kleindienst   Florida’s economic growth was among the worst in the nation in 2008, according to new statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.   Out of 50 states, the Sunshine State ranked…

Group Looks to Bring Drilling Vote to Ballot

Group Looks to Bring Drilling Vote to BallotBy MICHAEL PELTIER |THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA TALLAHASSEE — The fight to allow drilling off Florida’s Gulf Coast may go directly to Florida voters.At least one group is attempting to craft and promote…

Workers’ Comp Rate Increase Rolled Back

Workers' Comp Rate Increase Rolled BackBY DAVID ROYSE | THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDATALLAHASSEE — Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty on Wednesday issued a final order approving a workers compensation insurance rate rollback, citing a new law that will limit…

Home Sales Continue to Rise

Home Sales Continue to Rise    Florida’s existing home sales rose in April – the eighth consecutive month that sales activity increased in the year-to-year comparison, according to the latest housing data released by the Florida Association of Realtors®.    April’s…

Prominent Destin Developer Odom Indicted

Prominent Destin Developer Odom Indicted  By KATHLEEN HAUGHNEY | THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDATALLAHASSEE — A Leon County grand jury tacked on perjury to the list of charges against former House Speaker Ray Sansom, saying that the Republican lawmaker from…

Unemployment Rate Drops in April

Unemployment Rate Drops in AprilBy Linda Kleindienst   Florida’s unemployment rate inched down in April, buoying some hopes that the state may be seeing a sign of a turnaround in the economy.   Still, the new figure — 9.6 percent — represents…

St. Joe Earnings Slip in First Quarter

St. Joe Earnings Slip in First Quarter JACKSONVILLE — The St. Joe Company on Tuesday announced a net loss of $11.7 million (or 13 cents a share) for the first quarter of 2009. This compares to net income of $32.1 million, or 40 cents per share,…

Federal Appeals Court Denies Airport Challenge

Federal Appeals Court Denies Airport Challenge  PANAMA CITY — A federal appeals court has ended the last pending legal challenge to the relocation of the Panama City-Bay County International Airport. In a decision handed down on May 1, the U. S.…

Workforce Renovation

Through the lens of a struggling economy, it becomes clear that a trained (or re-trained) work force is key to our region’s prosperity.     Workforce RenovationThrough the lens of a struggling economy, it becomes clear that a trained (or…

The Dealmakers

While some see them as a necessary evil, lobbyists remain in demand — bucking the recession, boosting Tallahassee’s economy and helping shape the laws of our state.   The DealmakersWhile some see them as a necessary evil, lobbyists remain in…

Ask the Governor

850 readers pose questions to Florida Governor Charlie Crist on College, the Economy and Being Green. Q: You have always been very pro-tourism and pro-beaches, especially when it comes to beach renourishment. Yet the funding for those programs seems to…

Marriages of Convenience

These days, when budgets are tight and credit is often harder to attain, you may only be able to start a business if you can find someone with whom to share the costs and risk.   Marriages of ConvenienceIn tough…

Sealing the International Deal

With the expansion of the Panama Canal set for completion in 2014, the leaders at Florida’s Great Northwest figure they have about five years to establish business ties in Panama.   Sealing the International DealCultural due diligence can help ease…

Hiring Older Workers Can Give You a Competitive Edge

Northwest Florida businesspeople have plenty to worry about in today’s economic downturn. But here is a factor that few area business leaders may be focused on: Betty Isabelle.   The ‘Rehirement’ PhenomenonHiring older workers can give you a competitive edgeBy…

Staying Healthy in a Corporate World

Catch a plane, travel to the hotel, arrive at a meeting, eat late, go to bed exhausted, wake up early, spend the entire day in meetings, eat late, repeat. Sound familiar?     Not Just Business: It’s PersonalStaying healthy in…

Tim Krueger: Easy Rider

Clearly, Krueger is no average stockbroker — and no average motorcyclist, for that matter. Tim Krueger: Easy RiderSenior Vice President of Investments, Merrill Lynch When he isn’t analyzing markets, meeting with clients over his impeccably clean desk, spending time with his…