5A - Identifying Local Opportunities
"Franchisees Ding McDonald's Wall" by Bloomberg of the Tampa Bay Time
- https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3ASPTB%21Tampa%2BBay%2BTimes%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0124%21January%2B24&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/17128B96391E0648
- In this article, written on January 24 2019, the author describes the recent decision that McDonald's Corp. has made. This decision is a Franchise wide decision to mandate a wall be constructed between the cashier area and the kitchen area. This wall will allow for unsightly kitchen equipment to be hidden from customers and theoretically help to improve the overall customer experience.
- The problem: Many locally owned franchises cannot afford the costs associated with build this mandated wall.
- The people: The approximate the 37,000 franchise owned McDonald's across the globe.
"Floridians Expect Better" The Tampa Bay Times editorials
- https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3ASPTB%21Tampa%2BBay%2BTimes%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0124%21January%2B24&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/17127B1213C91FE0
- This article, written January 24 2019, discusses the major impact that the government shutdown is having on Floridians. It also discusses the potential long-term risks Floridians face if the shutdown continues.
- The problem: The federal government is currently shutdown and its impact goes far beyond Washington, D.C. Florida residents and federal employees across the state are all experiencing effects of this.
- The People: Florida residents but more specifically commercial farmers, Florida's shellfish industry, facilities that require regular inspection from the FDA, School Districts, and Coast Guardsmen.
"Shutdown Stalls Research" The Tampa Bay Times editorials
- https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3ASPTB%21Tampa%2BBay%2BTimes%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0124%21January%2B24&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/17128B958398D660
- This article, written January 24 2019, dives into the effects that the government has had on scientific research. NASA and the National Science Foundation efforts have been stalled by the shutdown. These has allowed for other technical and economic powers to surpass us. Most recently with China landing the first probe on the far side of the moon, just weeks ago.
- The problem: The government shutdown has stalled research efforts of all federally funded projects.
- The people: This has effected NASA, the National Science Foundation, USDA, and researchers at the University of Florida.
"Tourism Agency Needs Sunshine" The Tampa Bay Times editorials
- https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3ASPTB%21Tampa%2BBay%2BTimes%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0124%21January%2B24&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/17128B9617762E08
- This article, written January 24 2019, discussed the success that the public agency Visit St. Pete/Clearwater has had over the last couple years. It has succeeded by drawing a record setting number of tourists and visitors to come to the area during 2018. However, not everything with this public agency has been perfect as we have learned with the recent resignation of CEO David Downing.
- The problem: Former CEO of Visit St. Pete/ Clearwater , David Downing, has been accused of using a county owned credit card to rack up nearly $300,000 in expenses since 2014.
- The People: Residents and tourists in Pinellas County who pay tourism taxes and help to fund this public agency that have had their money mismanaged and misused.
"Gas Prices Climb, Expected to Keep Rising" The Tampa Bay Times
- https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3ASPTB%21Tampa%2BBay%2BTimes%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0123%21January%2B23&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/171225A996F3D6D8
- This article, written January 23 2019, brings light to the all too common issue of rising gas prices. With the rise in oil prices this has recently trickled down to us as consumers. Over the course of the past week prices have climbed and average of 7 cents. Gas prices and expected to continue trending upward with the peak of prices this year coming around memorial day.
- The problem: Gas prices are on the rise again and this trend is expected to be here to stay.
- The people: Anyone who drives a vehicle that requires gasoline.
Kyle,
ReplyDeleteI liked how you included more than one article on the current government shutdown since this is obviously one of the biggest problems in our country right now. I found it interesting all the different industries the shutdown is affecting, like scientific research, Florida's shellfish industry and facilities that require inspection by the FDA. Big newspapers don't seem to be mentioning these more nuanced effects.
Hello Kyle. Overall, I found the articles you chose to be very interesting. Specifically, I thought the one about the government shutdown's impact on NASA and other programs to be eye opening. I never really thought about the impact the shutdown would have on our programs and businesses, and it is unfortunate. However, I'm not sure we could definitively say the shutdown specifically has caused us to fall behind other nations in the research regard, so I think you should definitely put more research into that if you're interested.
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