In this climate, the small and medium-size businesses that make up the bulk of the Northwest Florida economy have the most to lose. An Enemy Among Us Increasingly, small businesses are finding themselves victimized by those they trust the most…
The economic slump hasn’t done much for your business, your employees haven’t received raises, and morale is pretty much going down the drain. What do you do to lift spirits and encourage your employees to keep working hard and going…
Instead of responding to e-mail as it comes in, these experts suggest setting aside a daily block of time for e-mail. And even consider — gasp — turning your e-mail off completely. Your Business, Unplugged Productivity experts say minimizing use…
While the current national recession has taken its toll on us here in the Panhandle, just like it has hurt people throughout Florida, I am confident we will ultimately weather the storm and, for a variety of reasons, weather it…
While Panama City’s new airport is getting all the attention at the moment, all four of Northwest Florida’s major aviation centers are preparing to entice tourists and business travelers alike. All Systems Go While Panama City’s new airport is getting…
How can Florida businesses find out how to tap into stimulus money coming to the state? Gov. Charlie Crist answers. Stimulating the Economy and the Arts Q: How can Florida businesses find out how to tap into stimulus money…
A federal appeals court in May ended the last pending legal challenge to the new Panama City-Bay County International Airport, denying a petition for review of the Federal Aviation Administration’s decision approving the relocation to West Bay. The World’s Next…
With three Pensacola restaurants and another in Seaside, as well as his newspaper musings, writing the "Good Grits" cookbook, raising a 16-year-old daughter and helping various charities, you wouldn’t think that celebrity chef Jim Shirley had time for anything else.…
Southwest Airlines Is Coming to Panama City From 850 Business Magazine reports Southwest Airlines on Wednesday announced it would begin jet service from Northwest Florida's new international airport near Panama City when it opens in May 2010. The decision culminates…
TSA Announces $4 Million Grant for New Panama City-Bay County International AirportPANAMA CITY — The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) today announced a grant of approximately $4 million to the Panama City-Bay County International Airport for the construction of a new…
AT&T Boosts 3G Coverage for Customers in North Florida ORLANDO — AT&T customers wanting faster data speeds to surf the net, download ringtones, play games and send emails faster are now getting it from the latest 3G expansions throughout North and…
Commercial real estate holding back Florida recovery  By JOHN KENNEDY | THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDATALLAHASSEE — Florida home sales this month are expected to mark one solid year of steady uptick but a sharp drop in the sale of…
Could Real Estate Investments Boost State Pension Fund?  By MICHAEL PELTIER | THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDATALLAHASSEE — Florida investment managers were urged Tuesday to look at Florida real estate opportunities as the state tries to rebuild its retirement investment…
 Florida Unemployment Rate Unchanged  TALLAHASSEE — Florida’s unemployment rate remained unchanged in July, holding at 10.7 percent — meaning close to 1 million Florida workers remain unemployed.State officials suggested that a recent infusion of federal stimulus dollars could have…
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 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: 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 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 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…
Tallahassee Workshop on How to Compete for Government Contracts The Leon County Division of Minority/Women Small Business Enterprise (M/WSBE) and the City of Tallahassee’s Minority Business Enterprise Office will sponsor a Bidding Power workshop on Thursday, July 30, from 9…
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 —…
Early RiserTommy Lassman gets the jump on Jackson County business By Diane Hirth It used to drive me crazy," Tommy Lassmann recalled of his father’s insistence on getting the family to church way before services started. Now, getting a jump…
Shovel-Ready and WillingCentral Northwest Florida is using an infusion of resources and cash from the state to leverage its economic development plans on an international scaleBy Tisha Crews Keller The I-10 corridor of Northwest Florida is mainly known for its…
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…
Seaside’s SculptorsHow Robert and Daryl Davis developed one of Florida’s most famous towns By Linda Kleindienst Robert Davis remembers building sand castles on the sugar white beaches of Northwest Florida when he was only three years old. Little did he…
Lean, Green and GrowingNavy Federal Credit Union’s Pensacola campus gets gold star for eco-friendly effortsBy Maggie Kelly The largest credit union in the world is also the greenest credit union on the planet, serving 3 million members worldwide. In 2004,…
High-Impact BloggerInternet entrepreneur Jason Koertge emerges as a news force in Panama City BeachBy John Eric Vona One part blog, one part news Web site and one part community forum, pcbdaily.com is a hybrid on the cutting edge of the…
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…
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…
A New HopeIn the face of recession fears, Leslie Hope engineers a new business of her own By Tabitha Yang When the recession hit and her company started to lay off a number of workers, Leslie Hope decided it was…
The Oyster KingGrady Leavins talks plain and straight about oysters and a fading way of lifeBy Jason Dehart Once upon a time, when Grady Leavins first started out, a fellow oysterman he worked with called him a "candy ass." "That…
The Charter Boat BluesOffshore fishing captains are feeling the crunch of a bad economy and changing rulesBy Jason Dehart It’s a perfect day to go fishing for snapper or grouper. The sky and the sea are clear and blue, there’s…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Bettin’ ManSteve Andris took a gamble on the dogs — 50 years later, they’re still runningBy Lee Gordon "Here comes Rusty … " Steve Andris has heard those three words 13 times a night, six nights a week, for the…
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…
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…
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…
Soaring OnPutting Florida’s aerospace industry on the launch padBy 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 more than 80,000…
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 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…
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…
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…
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…
Florida's economy stabilizes as many sales tax collections top forecastBy THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDATALLAHASSEE — Florida sales tax collections last month topped estimates for the first time in almost three years, state officials reported Tuesday. But they also warned…
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 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 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…
