After a dismal start to 2009, business people see more pain ahead, expecting no improvement in economic conditions till late this year at the earliest. ...more

March 5, 2009

"People would come from places like Lake Wales to shop at the mall not realizing that 'mall' has different meanings," long time resident Larry Albritton told a group gathered at the Avon Park Historic Museum last Sunday. Avon Park's "Mile Long Mall" is the kind that is defined as "a public area often set with shade trees." Not the kind designed for shoppers. Although Larry did say that when he moved over from Wauchula back in 1958 the city had three department stores operating along the mall. When he moved here it was also "a time when all the buildings were occupied," he said with a touch of nostalgia in his voice. ...more

July 26, 2008

For the first time in 21/2 years, home sales in the Tampa Bay area increased, but condominium sales continued to plunge. ...more

June 27, 2008

TAMPA - For the first time in two and a half years, home sales in the Tampa Bay area increased while condominium sales continued to plunge. ...more

June 26, 2008

AVON PARK — C.B. Shirey stepped down as Avon Park's city manager to become the Avon Park Executive Airport's first dedicated airport manager. According to the text of a resolution unanimously passed by the city council on Wednesday, Shirey will continue to "provide his service and expertise and allow a smooth transition to (the interim) city manager" for the next 60 days. City Clerk Sarah Adelt will assume Shirey's old duties until the city hires his replacement. Even though three of the five council members criticized Shirey's performance as a city manager in his evaluation last month, the council agreed that Shirey should take on the smaller role. Council members were a bit concerned at first about whether Adelt could run the city in the meantime. ...more

January 3, 2008

Fewer people signed up for jobless benefits last week, an encouraging sign that most companies aren't resorting to large-scale layoffs as the country copes with continuing problems in the housing and credit markets. ...more

November 22, 2007

The shriveled housing market may be a drag on U.S. business activity, but it hasn't stopped it. The nation's service economy, like its manufacturing sector, slowed in September but still saw growth. ...more

October 4, 2007