Development

Over the past 20 years, Newberry's population has grown from around 1,500 to 5,000. With 40 new businesses and 2,000 new jobs, people are moving to Newberry rather than commuting elsewhere.

In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Kilwins Jacksonville was recognized as an Exceptional Employer on Oct. 7 at Tallahassee City Hall. Dana Stallings, owner of Kilwins Jacksonville, has made it a mission to consistently employ people with disabilities. Not only does employment benefit people with disabilities, but it also benefits their co-workers, she said.

Record rainfall in North Central Florida has created special woes for hay and vegetable farmers. Lake City hay farmer Carl Allison said he will now have to struggle to find cattle customers, rather than horse customers, because the quality of hay he has been able to grow is more suited to cows, while Cody Galligan, who grows vegetables at his family farm in Gainesville, said the rain has caused losses for him.

When Shaun Willis opened the Mustang Grill and Bar in June, it became Archer's third restaurant. After October, though, it will also become a place of entertainment. Mustang After Dark will feature musicians from Nashville, trivia and karaoke.

Lydia Romig was one day too early. She went to the new Publix in Alachua on Friday during her lunch break, hoping to pick up her favorite sausage-and-kale soup. Romig is just one eager customer of many who is excited about the new store. After much anticipation, the Publix will …

Florida has the highest job growth rate among the most populous states and the third highest rate in the nation. Alachua County boasts a long history of low unemployment rates and steady job growth rates and works to continue attracting new business.

The Cade Museum held its ground-breaking ceremony Oct. 2 and is scheduled to open in 2017. The museum will celebrate the legacy of Robert Cade, inventor of Gatorade, in the 50th anniversary of the sports drink.

It's the start of a new era at Durty Nelly's Irish Pub as the Gainesville bar banned smoking in an effort to create a healthy, welcoming environment for its customers and employees.

Oct. 1 marks the national deadline for businesses to switch over to chip-enabled card reader terminals. Some local businesses are debating whether or not the cost is worth the investment.

A $50 million donation by Dr. Herbert Wertheim helped to jumpstart a 5-year, $300 million funding project for improvements to the college of engineering and a new Engineering Innovation building.