Scientists study breeding of pet fish to help protect reefs, fuel Florida's economy
Florida’s pet fish industry is booming, but many saltwater species in home aquariums are still taken from the wild. Researchers at UF/IFAS want to change that by helping fish farmers breed popular species like clownfish and blue tangs — reducing pressure on reefs while creating jobs in the state’s growing aquaculture industry. More from UF News.
Aerospace company investing $30 million to build airplanes in Stuart
Daher Aerospace Inc., a French aerospace manufacturing company, has committed $30 million in investments to manufacture and assemble multi-million-dollar planes which, by 2027, will fly out of Witham Field. Daher's lease at Witham Field was extended 30 years by the Martin County Commission on January 14. As a condition of the company's $402,581 annual lease, county records show, Daher has pledged additional $30 million in investments. More from TC Palm.
Orlando among U.S. cities with most financially distressed residents
Orlando is among the U.S. cities with the most residents facing financial challenges, according to a recent study by WalletHub. The study analyzed the 100 largest U.S. cities across nine key financial metrics, including average credit scores, changes in bankruptcy filings and the percentage of accounts in distress. Orlando ranked No. 6 among cities with the highest levels of financial distress. More from the Orlando Business Journal.
Miami Beach is again cracking down to keep spring breakers away
Spring break is coming up soon and students are itching to get away from classes, cast away their cares and go wild... except in Miami Beach. The city of Miami Beach is cracking down again on "disorderly crowds, lawless behavior and violence" by letting visitors know which kinds of wild and crazy partying won't fly. Most of it, in fact. More from the Palm Beach Post and WUSF.
Tampa is rising national leader in plastic surgery, cosmetics industries
Florida has the highest rate of plastic surgery procedures per capita in the United States. While Miami holds the top spot for cities nationwide, Tampa now falls into the top ten and is still growing. In 2018, 72 plastic surgeons in Tampa were members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Today, there are 93. That's more than a 25% jump in seven years. More from WTSP.
Business Profile
Lakewood Ranch business leads way in new Florida support for employee childcare
A Lakewood Ranch business is one of the first in Florida to tap new state tax credits to help workers with childcare costs. Childcare advocates are hoping that more employers will follow its lead. Gold Coast Eagle Distributing president Andrea Saputo Cox said she was immediately interested in the initiative upon learning the details last year at a town hall sponsored by the Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County, or ELC.
» More from Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Out of the Box
Monopoly: Jacksonville Edition is available now with new board featuring local sites, homages
Local officials and business leaders unveiled the Jacksonville Edition of Monopoly at a private event Monday at EverBank Stadium. Monopoly: Jacksonville Edition replaces the board game’s classic Atlantic City squares like "Boardwalk" and "Park Place" with Jacksonville cultural sites, historic landmarks, charitable organizations, and businesses.
» Read more from the Florida Times-Union.