Identifying Local Opportunities

I obtained all my articles from the Florida Times-Union of Jacksonville. 
Opportunity 1:
Title: 
"Hendricks Ave. resurfacing project sparks debate over bike lanes"

Link: 
http://jacksonville.com/current/town/2016-01-15/story/florida-13-resurfacing-project-sparks-debate-over-bike-lanes

Summary:
The article summarizes a potential road resurfacing project that's going to take place in an urban Jacksonville business sector.

Problem:
The conflict in this article is between local business owners (who currently park on the side of the street) and the city of Jacksonville (and arguably bikers everywhere) who have proposed to eliminate the street parking and instead create larger bike lanes. The city believes the 2-3 miles of currently missing bike lanes in the area are a safety hazard, but the local business owners believe the parking spots are vital to their business.

Solution:
I believe as an entrepreneur focused in the construction industry, I believe the best solution is to create a small parking garage (possibly as a the second/third stories of existing structures. This will provide the bike lanes for the city and provide close, efficient parking to the local  businesses.



Opportunity 2:
Title:
"Sunshine Bus Monthly Pass cost to increase"

Link:
http://jacksonville.com/current/mandarin-st-johns/2015-12-30/story/sunshine-bus-monthly-pass-cost-increase

Summary:
The article describes the increase in a local bus route that's somewhat out of the way for the bus company. There are many locals that rely on this bus route daily for work and personal shopping. The main clients that use this bus route are elderly or those with disabilities.

Problem:
Whether or not the bus company should charge more to pick up those that rely on the bus as their main source of transportation. As far as "fairness" goes, these individuals didn't "choose" to need the bus. That being said, the bus company

Solution:
I think an easy solution to this (as the disabled persons/ elderly) is to hire either a private busing service (if that's the system not already being used) that can be run through the city and focuses only specifically to their needs. Another solution (as an entrepreneur) is to create my own transportation company that can focus to this niche of individuals specifically.



Opportunity 3:
Title:
"San Marco Chamber Music Society to play concert series in England"
Link:
http://jacksonville.com/current/town/2016-01-08/story/san-marco-chamber-music-society-play-concert-series-england

Summary:
A local music society in Jacksonville is playing 4 shows around England. The society is trying to fund raise for the trip; the musicians see this as an opportunity to expand Britain's idea of the Floridan music scene.

Problem:
The group is trying to fund raise for their trip, but their methods of fun raising in the article are a minimal effort in my opinion.

Solution:
I think the people leaving for the trip could better utilize modern fundraising techniques. This includes, but is not limited to a GoFundMe account, a Facebook Event/Group page, and even a Twitter account to give their supporters updates on their goals.



Opportunity 4:
Title: 
"Concerns grow for Mayport's new mascot"
Link: 
http://jacksonville.com/current/mandarin-st-johns/2016-01-14/story/concerns-grow-mayports-new-mascot


Summary:
The article highlights the difficulty of removing a wild buck roaming the swamp/forest. Locals know the area the buck is inhabiting isn't safe, both because of poachers and because of local alligators.

Problem:
Whether or not the city should remove the buck from the area, or protect it from the dangers in and around its environment.

Solution:
I would hop on this opportunity to protect the buck by creating a small state park that could in the future be turned into local tourist attraction.



Opportunity 5:
Title:
"First Person: Holiday Brought Wave Beaches Nostalgia"

Link:
http://jacksonville.com/current/mandarin-st-johns/2015-12-30/story/first-person-holidays-brought-wave-beaches-nostalgia

Summary:
This article has hidden potential, one that shows opportunities only to those looking for it. It follows a local Jacksonville Beach Resident that reminiscences about his childhood and why he grew up loving the city he's lived in his entire life.

Problem:
There's no "need" in my opinion, but while a "need" might not be obviously present, that doesn't mean an opportunity isn't there.

Solution:
I think learning from this man's life experiences offers an insight of how to let others might enjoy Jacksonville as well. Of course a lot land he mentions is developed now, the city or an individual (if one is venturous enough) may start not necessarily a "sight seeing" tour, but a historic/information tour of this city.