Friday's Afternoon Update (original) (raw)

What you need to know about Florida today

Florida's growth spurs increased need for transportation services

Cruises, hotels and winter homes have long been a cash cow for Florida, but as more people flock to the sunshine state for more permanent stays, the transportation and logistics industry is capitalizing on the need for cargo. Ports and distribution centers are seeing explosive growth alongside the Sunshine State’s population boom, as businesses invest in a growing body of consumers and workers. More from the Jacksonville Business Journal.

New Florida program offers payments to landowners for supporting panther habitat conservation

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is offering private landowners per-acre payments for an all-new panther program. FWC is launching the Florida Panther Payment for Ecosystem Services pilot program to support panther conservation. The new program provides per-acre payments to landowners for habitat conditions that support panther conservation and promote landscape connectivity. More from WBBH.

Space Coast company’s space balloon takes big step toward 1st human flight

The trip was a success for Space Perspective, the company that already has more than 1,800 people waiting for their chance to take balloon ride in a posh capsule up to the edge of space. The Spaceship Neptune-Excelsior performed its first uncrewed test flight soaring to an altitude of 100,000 feet marking a big step toward the Brevard County space tourism company’s march toward its first trip with humans on board next year. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

New neuroscience institute launches in St. Pete

Orlando Health, the private non-profit that runs Bayfront Hospital, announced Tuesday the latest addition to the St. Pete Innovation District: The Orlando Health Neuroscience Institute – Bayfront. With a new facility expected to be fully complete in 2025, the already-in-operation Neuroscience Institute will bring together existing local resources such as Bayfront’s Level 4 Epilepsy and Comprehensive Stroke Centers with additional staff, a new neuro ICU facility and new resources. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Most Miami-Dade budget cuts didn’t last: $12.7B plan passes with restored spending

With reshuffled dollars for senior tax rebates, arts grants and eviction lawyers, Miami-Dade County commissioners on Thursday passed a $12.7 billion budget for 2025. The budget that passed shortly before 9 p.m. reversed most of the scattered cuts and spending reductions Mayor Daniella Levine Cava first proposed in July in what she described as the most challenging budget process since she took office in late 2020. More from the Miami Herald.

Business Beat - Week of September 20th

Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video news brief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.

Out of the Box
Tampa man claims largest collection of Florida beer and cigar memorabilia

Mike Zane doesn’t know how many items fill the walls, shelves and boxes in his home’s two rooms dedicated to the history of Florida’s cigar and beer industries. Maybe 1,000 cigar labels, he guessed. And beer cans? No idea, he said. Yet the Tampa-area doctor confidently proclaims that his Florida beer memorabilia and cigar-label collections are the largest not found in a museum.

» Read more from the Tampa Bay Times.

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