Identifying Local Opportunities -- 5A

1. Tropicana Field to become cashless this season

• Tropicana Field will become a cashless venue this season accepting payment in the forms of all major credit cards, Rays gift cards, mobile payments like Apple Pay, and season-ticket holder Rays cards. Cash can be exchanged for a gift card at retail locations around the venue.
• This may cut down transaction times by eliminating cash transactions, but for attendees who do not usually make cashless transactions it can create a hassle when trying to enjoy yourself at Tropicana Field events because you will have to go out of your way to find the exchanging spots, get your gift card and then complete the transaction you were attempting to make. 
• The problem pertains to people who do not use cards or electronic payment who are attending  events at the venue as it creates another step for them to complete before actually purchasing something. 

2. Florida teacher shortage: More than 2,200 jobs open halfway into school year, union says

• Florida's public schools have more than 2,200 open teaching spots to fill across the state, spanning in subject area and grade level. The volume of vacancies has increased since last year. Without filling these slots, the education of students falls more and more behind. 
• As more and more teaching positions go unfilled and become open, the quality of students' education goes down as the options to fill the spots keeps decreasing. In all, the shortage is causing students' needs to be unmet.
• The school systems across Florida (and the nation) are encountering this problem but it is mainly impacting the students who are needing these teachers in order to obtain a quality education.

3. Gainesville delivery services expand options for staying in

• The trend of a third-party delivery services has skyrocketed in popularity during the last few years. On the rise almost everywhere, including Gainesville, one can get delivered food from a slew of restaurants partnered with Bite Squad or even get their groceries delivered by way of Instacart. This new propellent of staying in by use of technology has become a norm here in Gainesville. 
• The problem with this type of consuming goods through delivery could bring stiff competition for stores and restaurants who are not partnered with a delivery service, as they could be passed off and lose business as more and more people opt to just dine-in or shop from someone who offers delivery through the services. 
• Restaurants and grocery stores not partnered with a delivery service could be targeted by this problem as they lose business to competitors who are.  

4. Belt buckles and beer: Federal shutdown hits businesses hard 

• Businesses across the United States who rely heavily on federal employees as customers have had a resounding struggle since the government has shutdown. Many are being forced to cut workers' hours, lay off employees or purchase less from their suppliers as federal employees who are not being paid are deciding to conserve their resources during the shutdown, thus creating a deficit for businesses who are fueled mostly by these people. 
• The problem is that for these businesses even though the shutdown is temporary, the effects of not making money or profit can be prolonged even after the shutdown is resolved. 
• Business owners who rely on federal employees for their business are being severely impacted.  For example, in the article the owner of a few restaurants near an Army base which houses around 70 federal agencies, is being highly impacted with their sales dropping 35 percent.

5. City of Orlando to install parking boxes for Lime bikes

• The bike-sharing company Lime has been gaining popularity across the United States, including in Orlando, Fl. However, with the popularity of the bikes, there has been issues arise for some people as there are no designated parking boxes for the bikes. Thus, the city of Orlando is now getting ahead of the issue by launching a plan for painted bike squares for cyclist to park these specific bikes. 
• The problem arises from the Lime bikes often blocking sidewalks or ramps in the city when left wherever by renters. 
• Orlando residents and pedestrians attempting to walk or ride other forms of transportation on sidewalks or these ramps are being impacted by the inconveniences and blockages these bikes can create.