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Economy & Markets

Orlando City Council Green Lights I-Drive Mega Mall, 7 Star Hotel & Low Wage Jobs For All

Plans to build the iSquare Mall + Hotel on International Drive got a major boost Monday, when the Orlando City Council voted unanimously to approve the new development. Located at the intersection of International Drive and Kirkman Road in the heart of the tourism corridor, the mega mall and planned...

Over 200 Small Business Owners Agree: Vote Locally

Over 200 small business owners in Orange County have joined with The Main Street Alliance of Florida and placed posters in their shop encouraging customers to take part in the local elections on August 26.

Women’s Economic Security Front and Center This Election Season

The local elections do not get the same kind of publicity as the larger races, but they decide the men and women who impact our everyday lives. The County Mayor, Commissioners, School Board officials, and legislation like Earned Sick Time are all decided in the local election.

Carrabba’s Italian Grill debuts at Orlando Eye on I-Drive

Carrabba’s Italian Grill opened its newest location at I-Drive 360 at the Orlando Eye Monday. Located at 8355 International Drive, the new 7,800-square-foot restaurant features a mix of traditional and contemporary design inspired by the look and feel of Italy.

Outback Steakhouse opens new restaurant at Orlando Eye

Outback Steakhouse will debut its newest restaurant location in Orlando, Florida, at the Orlando Eye on International Drive, on Monday, August 4.

Small businesses struggle to access credit, large business lending rises

Small businesses are back to creating two out of every three net new jobs in the U.S., but continue to struggle to access bank credit, even as large business lending rises. These are the findings of a just-released Working Paper by former Small Business Administration chief Karen Mills, now a senior fellow at Harvard Business School.

Disney, Unions reach tentative wage agreement

A tentative labor agreement has been reached between Walt Disney World and the largest union group that would see the minimum hourly wage increase from a little over $8 to $9 this year.

All Aboard Florida Fort Lauderdale Station Unveiled

All Aboard Florida, an intercity passenger rail that will connect Miami to Orlando, unveiled today, designs for the new Fort Lauderdale station, one of two intermediate station stops. The other station is West Palm Beach. The 27,500-square-foot station will be situated in northern downtown Fort Lauderdale on 4.8 acres adjacent...

Over-regulation, complex licensing rules are major concerns, small businesses say

Florida touts its low-tax state business climate as a major draw to attract new companies, but according to just released report, small businesses care far less about taxes than over-regulation and licensing rules.

OCPA offices get another chance as Maguire buildings ruled out

Orange County Property Appraiser Rick Singh said Wednesday, he learned through a media statement that the agreement to purchase the Maguire buildings for OCPA offices is no longer a viable option.

Orlando in top two summer vacation rental spots

Looking for a getaway this summer?  TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel site, today revealed that Palm Springs, California and Orlando, Florida are the most affordable U.S. spots for vacation rental getaways this summer. The TripIndex Vacation Rentals compares the price of a summer trip for a family of four in 15 popular vacation rental destinations...

Silver Airways begins Orlando, Key West nonstop service

Silver Airways has started its new twice daily nonstop flights between Orlando International Airport and Key West International Airport, as it continues to expand its Florida network.

Big box retailers, others continue to take blows

Retail store results for the first quarter of 2014 have seen big box stores such as Wal-Mart and Target take a beating. So too have been the results for Sears, JC Penney and Staples, to name a few.

Walmart hires over 42,000 vets in first year of veterans commitment

 Walmart announced it has hired more than 42,000 veterans during the first year of Walmart's Veterans Welcome Home Commitment, launched last Memorial Day.  Walmart projects it will hire more than 100,000 veterans in five years. The Walmart Foundation also announced it an additional $20 million pledge through 2019 to support veteran employment...

Certification Is Discrimination

It is not necessary for any business to be “certified” to seek to do business with government, but a Black business is told every day, “In order to do business with (state, county or city) government, you need to be certified.”

Orlando Fast Food Workers to Protest Low Pay

  Fast food workers in 150 cities in the United States, including Orlando, will protest today the low-wages paid in the industry. Workers at Burger King, McDonald's, Wendy's and other restaurants will walk out at noon Thursday, according to reports. In Orlando, for the first time, fast food workers will meet at...

SunRail begins selling tickets

With SunRail revenue service slated to begin on May 19, the Florida Department of Transportation announced Monday that tickets are available for customers to purchase on-line at the www.sunrail.com website. Riders can also purchase tickets at vending machines located at each SunRail platform. The free service on SunRail will last through...

Universal to raise base pay to $9/hour, announces Job Fairs

Universal Orlando will increase its hourly base pay to $9 from $8, the company announced Tuesday. As part of its recruitment efforts, the theme park will hold a Virtual Job Fair on Saturday, May 10 and an Open House Job Fair at Universal CityWalk on Tuesday, May 13, between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Votran supports SunRail with expanded shuttle service

Due to an exceptional response to SunRail, Votran will add weekday shuttle service to the DeBary SunRail station from nearby Gemini Springs Park, 37 Dirksen Drive, DeBary, beginning Tuesday, May 6. Shuttle service from the Deltona Plaza was added May 5. “The SunRail parking lot was at capacity at times...

PlainSmart opens in Orlando

PlainSmart, a line of good-for-you snacks, pastas, condiments and more, is coming to Winter Park – and just three other U.S. cities. Along with complimentary bites, well-respected Registered Dietitian Meredith Luce will be onsite to provide guests and visitors weight loss tips, healthy eating guidance and more – just...

Florida Lawmakers Ready to Kick The Can, Spend $77 Billion As Session Winds Down

With the current legislative session drawing to a close on Friday, Florida legislators now have in their hands next year's $77.1 billion proposed budget. The new budget was delivered to state legislators at 8:35 p.m. on Tuesday.

Orlando Science Center Summer Camps for Grades PreK-9

With summer around the corner, the Orlando Science Center will host two Open House days, on May 3 and May 31, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Find out what makes Orlando Science Center Summer Camps the most unique summer program in town. Learn which program would be best for...

Pool Troopers expands to Orlando, before the dog days of summer

Pool Troopers, Florida’s largest residential pool maintenance company, has begun servicing customers throughout the greater Orlando area.

Orlando gas prices continue to soar

Gas prices in Orlando have risen 6.9 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.70 per gallon, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 856 gas outlets in Orlando.

Black Businesses Must Step Up Fight Against Economic Genocide

By Jonathan Blount - Guest Columnist As a requiem to the death of one of our most forceful, self-critical, directional and stand up voices, Lucius Gantt, I call for more "Speak Truth To Power" dialogue and commentary in our African American Community. As such, it is important that African American efforts...

Orlando Foreclosure Market Still Going Strong

Orlando is among the top 10 cities nationwide with the highest foreclosure rates for the first quarter of 2014, according to new data released Thursday by RealtyTrac, a leading source for comprehensive housing data.

Orlando hits new tourist record in 2013

Orlando hit a new record last year attracting about 59 million visitors, including more than 4 million international guests.

ADP Report: Florida adds 14,600 mostly low-wage jobs in March

Florida added 14,580 private sector jobs during the month of March, according to the ADP Regional Employment Report released Wednesday. The growth in jobs is on pace with the 6-month average for the state, but slightly below the 12-month average, ADP said.

CareerSource to help match Vets to 100 jobs

  CareerSource Central Florida will help match veterans with more than 100 jobs during the Central Florida Disability Chamber of Commerce Veterans Business Initiative. CareerSource Central Florida is partnering with the Central Florida Disability Chamber of Commerce, Florida Hospital and Manpower to sponsor the eight-week program, which will provide job training,...

Florida seeks to boost medical tourism

Florida is looking to ramp up efforts becoming an international destination for people seeking medical care. Currently, there are proposals in the House and Senate that would pump $5 million into promoting Florida's health care industry, with the aim of attracting medical tourists to the state. The measure has bipartisan support...