Business and development

Rising gas prices are coming at a time when many are making spring break travel plans. The increase in cost is causing some college students to rethink where they’re going, while business owners at popular spring break destinations are doing their best to attract customers despite the price they must …

Although no one was injured in a kitchen fire at Satchel’s Pizza last night, there was significant structural damage done.  Florida’s 89.1 WUFT-FM’s Michael Cadigan says the owner is already reaching out to insurance agencies and employees to get the restaurant back up and running. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2012/02/michaelvoicer1.mp3] Photos by- Michael Cadigan/ …

Confidence among Florida’s consumers dropped for the first time in three months.   As Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Bryan Garcia reports, the most recent study by the University of Florida shows that consumer spending could be on decline. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/ConsumerConfidenceBryan2282012.mp3]

Marion county’s largest private property owner is looking to beef up the area’s cattle industry, but he’ll need a lot of water to do it. While some residents would welcome an economical boost to the area, others wonder about the environmental consequences of the proposed cattle ranch. As Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s …

With such a high number of married retirees, Kiplinger has found Ocala to be undesirable for singles in the mood for companionship to live.  Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Katiana Krawchenko reports. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/KKWrapocalasingles.mp3]

Nationwide, struggling owners are expecting relief following a mortgage deal struck by the federal government and many large banks, but Gainesville/Alachua County Association of Realtors President Craig Wilburn says it may not be the long term solution North Central Florida really needs. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2012/02/WILBURN2.mp3] The plan outlines two possible paths for …

SWAG, the Southwest Advocacy Group, held a groundbreaking for a new center which will serve families in several lower-income neighborhoods on the west side of Gainesville. [jwplayer config=”News-video” file=”wuftnews/20120209-SWAGCenter.mp4″]

For the first time in more than 2 ½ years, Florida’s unemployment rate is in single digits at 9.9%. Florida Governor Rick Scott says this is an encouraging improvement that hinged largely on growth in private business. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2012/01/SCOTT4.mp3] For the last 11 of 12 months, unemployment has stayed steady or …

Only at a place for nurturing ideas can one find elected officials mingling with business developers, while watching pretend robots dance. The mix on Wednesday afternoon was a celebration for the newest idea to close the gap between the City of Gainesville and the University of Florida.  As Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Luis Giraldo …

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development has handed down $72 million in grants for homeless housing projects around Florida. While many North Central Florida programs will benefit, WUFT-FM’s Stephanie Brown says one group bringing home a slice of that money has truly changed lives. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2012/01/HOMELESSGRANTWRAP.mp3]