Here’s an excellent article about the power of Florida and Georgia fruit >

- Vern

This recession is hitting many small businesses hard and restaurants are especially feeling it…

Full article..

Small Florida Business, family restaurants face unique challenges; More competition for fewer dollars

Researchers exploring the special challenges and achievements of business women in leadership roles will find a wealth of data in an annually enriched database being built within Florida International University.

For the third consecutive year, the College of Business Administration; the Center for Leadership; and the Metropolitan Center, all part of the university; along with The Commonwealth Institute South Florida, surveyed women-led businesses in Florida with revenues of $3 million or more. Respondents held the positions of president, chief executive officer, chair of the board, and/or primary owner of a for-profit organization based in the state.

Complete article here:  Business Networks – FIU College of Business: Database on women-led businesses grows with third year of input.

Governor Charlie Crist appointed Charles Drago on Thursday. Drago was a police chief with Ft. Lauderdale Police Dept. and was also the police chief of Oviedo before he became the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation last year.

Drago’s responsibilities include regulating Florida businesses in areas such as:

• Real estate agents
• Veterinarians
• Accountants
• Contractors
• Cosmetologists
• Restaraunts
• Alcoholic beverages
• Pari-mutual gambling

If you haven’t yet incorporated your Florida business we have an online form, instructions and a toll free number to help you…

Florida Incorporation >

For the third consecutive year, Forbes.com has named Virginia the “Best State for Business.”

The state earned the rating based on such considerations as its business costs, labor issues, regulatory climate, economic climate, growth prospects and quality of life, according to a press release.

Virginia finished in the top 10 in four of those categories, taking the lead in the regulatory environment ranking, sixth in the quality of life and economic climate rankings and seventh in labor issues. Its costs ranked 20th and growth prospects ranked 26th, the release said.

“Virginia has long enjoyed a business-friendly climate,” said Gov. Timothy M. Kaine in a statement. “The commonwealth’s regulatory and legal environments are tough to beat, as well as our strong, educated labor force.

“This best-in-nation validation speaks volumes to our competitiveness in today’s global market,” continued the governor, who has announced $7.4 billion in economic investments and 53,159 new jobs since January 2006.

- Jenny Jones

Forbes.com ranked Utah second for business followed by Washington, North Carolina and Georgia. Colorado, Idaho, Florida, Texas and Nebraska rounded out the list, the release said.

Here I found something else related…

Florida has the #1 Workforce in the nation, according to CNBC’s America’s Top States for Business.  Florida also ranked high in Technology & Innovation and Access to Capital.
(CNBC, July 2008)