Utilities lower costsTwo Gulf Coast utilities lowered their fuel cost estimates and, as a result, readjusted their projected 2009 prices for electricity.Veto power toutedBackers of an elected Hillsborough County mayor failed to get the measure on the November ballot. But they did succeed in getting something related to it before voters.Getting energy from wasteIn what may be a first on the Gulf Coast and for Florida, Tampa is meeting with seven companies who may build a waste-to-energy plant for the city.Tourism taxes riseOne bright spot in an otherwise gloomy economic setting in Manatee County continues to be tourism.Red Sox talks ... continueSarasota County and the City of Sarasota sent out a press release Tuesday morning announcing they had ended negotiations with the Boston Red Sox to lure the team's spring training complex to Sarasota. Naples gets big conferenceThe 2009 Florida Venture Capital Conference will be held in Naples from Feb. 3-4. Collier tourism increasesThe number of Collier County tourists increased 2.1% in August, according to Research Data Services, a Tampa-based research firm reported for the Marco Island, Everglades Convention and Visitors Bureau.Hodges University growsHodges University, a private Naples-based university, reported its enrollment surge 13% to 2,163 students, the first time the school has exceeded 2,000 students.
