Is a manufacturing rebound in sight? Orlando believes that the small companies will not only bring jobs to Central Florida, but also keep the jobs here as well.

Richard Burnett | Orlando Sentinel

After years of lab work, Dan Rini is finally setting up a factory to make high-tech, air-conditioned uniforms for the military. But unlike many U.S. factories of recent decades, it’s not in China, India or, for that matter, South Carolina or Alabama.

With the addition of over 1,000 new jobs being created by call centers in Tampa, many question the type of work that is being generated and the impact on the economy. Read this article and decide for yourself.

Elizabeth Behrman | Tampa Bay Times
Tampa has burnished its image as a hub for call center operations with the recent announcements of more than 1,000 new jobs.

With jobs, income, and manufacturing on the rise, Florida’s economy seems to be gearing up for a strong quarter.

Lucia Mutikani | Sun Sentinel

A few months ago economists were all but certain the U.S. economy would slow sharply at the start of this year, with many warning that recession risks were growing.

Does a new year mean new optimism among lenders? Read this article to see what what is being seen in the lending market.

Beth Mattson | National Real Estate Investor

The volume of multifamily and commercial real estate lending is a far cry from the frothy days of 2005 through 2007. Yet the flow of capital is growing and both borrowers and lenders are optimistic that financing will continue to improve in 2012.

With factors starting to point towards a recovery, read more about the impact on net leases.

Jonathan Hipp | GlobeSt

Even though triple net leases and direct investments in real estate, as well as REITs, were affected by the 2007 recession, REITs and corporate stocks took a much bigger hit while having generated less return in the years prior to the economic downturn.

Looking at other factor besides the unemployment rate may show a different ‘job growth’ picture within Florida. Read this article to see a different take on Florida’s economy.

Florida’s December jobs report was far short of an A, but at least the Sunshine State is now gaining jobs at a faster rate. Its scores No. 6 on hiring performance versus other states.

With Florida’s unemployment rate dropping to single digits, will confidence in the economy continue to build? Read more about the economic recovery in Florida in this article.

Florida’s unemployment rate dropped to 9.9 percent in December, the first time the rate has fallen below 10 percent in more than two and a half years.

As the commercial real estate market starts to warm up, other signs of the improving economy are validated as well. The year end flurry of deal activity of SVN Florida advisors around the state show that investors and users are now sensing that the “best time to buy or lease is NOW” . Prices and lease rates may be headed back up again.

Donna Gehrke-White | Sun Sentinel

The Sunshine State’s economy should further rebound in 2012, with South Florida outperforming what turned out to be a disappointing 2011, several indicators show.

Will 2012 bring access to more commercial real estate loans? Economist, Dr. Chandan, discusses the effects of legacy distress on the market.

Dr. Sam Chandan | GlobeSt.com

As reported in our most recent Bank Default and Lending Report, the combined default rate on banks’ commercial and multifamily mortgage loans fell to 3.75 percent in the third quarter of 2011.

With Tampa’s vacancy rate going down, one of the largest factors appears to be tenant demand, which should increase even more in the coming months. Read on for more information on the Tampa market.

Florida Real Estate Journal

Along with the national economy, the Tampa Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area’s economy continued to strengthen over the third quarter of 2011.