Fed Sees Some Slowing

The Federal Reserve said Wednesday that economic growth slowed in some areas over the past two months, dragged down by commercial real estate and the expiration of a tax credit for homebuyers. "Economic activity has continued to increase, on balance, since the previous survey," the central bank said in its Beige Book business survey, while noting that two of the Fed's 12 districts reported the economy "held steady" and two said the pace of expansion slowed. The Fed reported improvements in service industries, an increase in tourism, an expansion of manufacturing and progress in labor markets. Activity in commercial real estate, especially construction, "remained weak," the Fed said.

Winn-Dixie to Close Stores, Make Cuts

Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. announced Wednesday that it will close 30 stores. The stores to be shuttered have not been remodeled and are considered underperforming, according to a press release from the company. A list of stores that will be closed will be available today at www.winndixie.com. In addition to closing the stores and losing staff at those locations, the press release says Winn-Dixie will consolidate its four operating regions into three and will eliminate approximately 120 corporate and field support positions. The company has 514 grocery stores in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia and Mississippi. Polk has five stores in Lakeland; and one each in Auburndale. Winter Haven, Dundee, Haines City and Lake Wales. Winn-Dixie shares fell 30 cents, or 2.94 percent, to $9.92 Wednesday.

NASA Contractor to Lay Off 1,400 Employees

The private contractor that handles the bulk of the work servicing NASA's space shuttle fleet is notifying 1,400 employees in Florida, Texas and Alabama that they will be laid off in the fall. United Space Alliance this week began telling workers, including 900 employees at the Kennedy Space Center, that they are expected to be let go by Oct. 1 as part of planned reductions from the end of the space shuttle program. Laid off workers will receive between four and 26 weeks of pay, depending on their years of service. The shuttle program now employs about 8,700 contractors, down from 12,000 employees in October 2008. The last shuttle flight is expected next year.