The End of Florida As We Know It? Not So Fast...
It seems that Florida has become the punching bag for economists and journalists all over the world. Publications such as The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Financial Times of London as well as several large Florida daily newspapers have all run articles in the last year highlighting the economic challenges facing our state. Most focus on the well known housing bust we have experienced over the last several years and its resulting effects on Florida’s overall economy and population. These certainly are things our industry knows very well since we have been on the front lines and in the trenches for those battles. The statistic most often cited in these articles is the fact that for the first time in generations Florida has experienced a population decline. Simply put, more people are leaving our state than moving here. These articles ultimately end with some variation on the theme of Florida’s imminent demise.

Weak home construction weighing down economic rebound; consumer inflation remains tame
By: Alan Zibel and Martin Crutsinger, The Associated Press

The budding economic recovery is getting little help from the home building industry, which normally creates jobs and boosts growth as a recession ends.

Construction of homes unexpectedly plunged last month to its lowest point since April, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. The weak figures show that builders still lack confidence that buyers can soak up the glut of unsold homes already on the market — a supply magnified by a record number of home foreclosures.

Click on Full Story for links to this week's breaking news.

Legendary and iconic are words best used to define Linton N. Tibbetts, O.B.E. Having begun his career in the building material industry in 1949, Linton has gained notoriety for being a saavy businessman with dealings that have surpassed the building materials industry and have included an airline, resort, shopping malls, real estate holdings and ranch, just to name a few. A $1,500 investment in 1949 purchased 50% of a small lumberyard in St. Petersburg known as Cox Lumber and Supply Company. Eventual sole ownership of this location would amass over the next 50 years to include 24 locations in Florida and a division in the Cayman islands. In 2006, Linton sold his Florida locations to The Home Depot and maintained his operation in the Cayman islands.

Acclaimed for forty-two years as the state data book, the Florida Statistical Abstract continues to set the standard for reliable economic and demographic data, containing the largest collection of state and county statistics on demographic, social, and economic conditions in Florida. Selected national and comparative data for other states and countries are also included.

The Florida Statistical Abstract is your guide to sources of data from the U.S. Census Bureau; other federal, state, and local government agencies; and private organizations. This valuable, informative source is indispensable as:

Singing to the Choir
In the Presbyterian Church I grew up in, the “midnight” Christmas service usually began at 7:00 p.m. So, I didn’t argue when Terri announced that we were going to attend midnight mass at her family’s Ohio church.

At Terri’s Ohio family home, Christmas Eve festivities commence at around 4:00 p.m. when everyone gathers for a cup of cheer followed by dinner. I wondered about the strange looks, when at 6:30 I asked to be excused so I could begin getting ready for mass. About 30 minutes later, showered, shaved and dressed, I was ready to go, only to discover that Midnight Mass really did begin at midnight.