What bubble?: A bevy of economists, both local and nationwide, have been saying the residential real estate bubble might not be bursting, but it's at least deflating.Re-apply here: The St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce wanted somebody to shake things up.Economy keeps on rolling: The top economist for Chicago-based Harris Private Bank brought her message to Longboat Key Feb. 21, and it was enough good news to make a pessimist smile: Nationwide unemployment under 5%, with Florida's at a 30-year low and Sarasota's at a near microscopic 3.3%.Orion Bank expands east, consolidates in Naples: After nearly a decade marching up the west coast of Florida from its roots in the Keys, Orion Bank is turning east.New player on the Gulf: Kolter Communities LLC obviously doesn't see the west coast of Florida as a one-trick pony.Commercial's turn?: The highpoint in well-known economist Hank Fishkind's presentation to the Manatee Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Council's State of the Economy Breakfast Feb. 21 was directed toward commercial developers and property owners.
