Thursday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 3/27/2014

Florida to become medical tourism destination?

Florida lawmakers are considering a measure to allocate $5 million annually in state funds to add medical tourism to the list of state attractions. Although U.S. residents have for years sought treatment overseas to save money, this is one of the first times a U.S. state has considered marketing itself as a medical tourism destination. More at the AP and NBC Miami.

Law could let Cubans abroad invest on the island

Cuba’s new foreign investment law cuts taxes, opens new sectors to foreigners and allows investments by Cubans living abroad as part of ruler Raúl Castro’s efforts to lure fresh capital to his long-stagnant economy, according to published reports. More at the Miami Herald.

Office Depot execs get bonuses to stay

Entertainment

Booming business: EDM goes mainstream

As downtown Miami and Miami Beach throb with the annual dance music celebration of Miami Music Week, led by the massive Ultra Music Festival and the pioneering Winter Music Conference, another kind of boom is taking place. The sound of electronic dance music, or EDM, is fast becoming the sound of sales of everything from electronics to beer.

» Full story from the Miami Herald

Office Depot paid six-figure bonuses to retain top executives before and after its merger with OfficeMax, according to newly filed documents. The bonuses — as much as $1.5 million over three years — are only a portion of the executives' total compensation, which includes annual salary, performance bonuses and stock awards. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Three Florida metro areas among fastest growing in nation

While Miami continues to rule the cash real estate market, two other Florida metro areas continue to be among the fastest growing in the nation. The Villages, home to one of the nation’s largest retirement communities, topped the list of fastest-growing metro areas released by the U.S. Census Bureau on Thursday. More at CBS Miami and the Orlando Sentinel.

Florida Next innovation incubator curates large venue for One Spark

The opportunities One Spark offers small businesses and entrepreneurs help support an innovative Florida economy. As such, One Spark has received the support of one of the state’s innovation incubators. More at the Jacksonville Daily Record.

Event
The Color of Florida in Black and White

No air conditioning. Mosquitoes thick as the summertime humidity. Transportation by oxcart, train or canoe. Most of us wouldn’t want to live in early 20th century Southwest Florida, but the life is fascinating still. Enchantments: The Photographic Adventures of Julian Dimock, 1904-1913 lets us picture the flip side of the undeveloped frontier.