Business and development

The Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce is planning a trip to China in October for the second straight year. Chamber of Commerce Spokeswoman Brittany Batsell says the trip is a great opportunity for chamber members as well as Marion county citizens who have signed up to travel with the chamber. …

A local energy company is making sure their plant is secure, after recent natural disasters caused a nuclear plant crisis in Japan. Citrus County’s Crystal River Nuclear Plant was to restart their operations in April, however, Progress Energy Spokeswoman Sherry Jacobs says the plant won’t be reopened until the proper …

Gainesville city comissioner Scherwin Henry is delivering a keynote presentation on East Gainesville tonight at the East Gainesville Development Corporation annual meeting. The presentation will include an overview of city involvement in recent community and economic development activities intended to position east Gainesville for sustainable growth as economic conditions improve. …

The idea of starting your own company or developing your own website can seem very daunting without some help. But, learning from someone who has done it already and created something profitable can be just the ticket to your own success. WUFT’s Laura McKeeman brings us more from a local …

In response to unemployment, Marion County has teamed up with local business leaders to create 25 new job initiatives, which are geared toward creating new opportunities. Recently, a South Florida company has decided to move its operations from South Florida to Ocala. The chairman of Medtino, Raymond Talarico, spoke with …

Cotton prices have increased drastically due to a series of events in Asia. Three of the world’s top cotton producers reduced supply to the U.S. A drought in China damaged crops, India restricted exports to protect its domestic market and flooding in Pakistan made it worse. Florida’s 89.1 WUFT-FM reporter …

The small town of Dunnellon in Marion County was founded where the Withlacoochee and Rainbow Rivers meet. As Trent Kelly reports, with the threat of development looming along the banks of the two rivers, a citizen-led group is now trying to save what’s left, before it’s gone forever. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/RainbowmixdownTK.mp3]

A survey on the web site “Liveability.com” ranks Gainesville in the top ten nationwide for its farmers markets. As Dan Katz reports, more Gainesville residents are buying their food locally. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/DK Buying Locally in Gainesville.mp3]

Political strategist James Carvel coined the phrase, ‘Its the economy, stupid” almost 20 years ago. Yet it still rings true today as economic issues are dominating the November election campaigns. While some politicians argue that President Obama’s economic policies have furthered the recession, others emphasize the inherited nature of many …

Senior citizens in Alachua County will soon have a brand new recreation facility, complete with tennis courts, nature trails, as well as a specialized fitness center. Ground was officially broken today on the Senior Recreation Facility of Alachua County, which has been in the works for many years. When completed …