Thursday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 9/15/2016

Why Florida ranks last in the nation in federal grant funding

Florida continues to receive far less than its fair share of federal grant dollars, according to the latest Florida TaxWatch report. Florida ranks last in in the nation in per capita federal grants, receiving about $22.8 billion in federal grants in FY2014-15 or about $1,125 for each Floridian. There are numerous factors as to why Florida ranks so low in per capita federal grants, including lower than average state spending, which can affect federal matching funds. More from Florida TaxWatch, here.

See also:
» Florida is still a donor state (PDF report)

Record sports tourism numbers for Palm Beach County

The Palm Beach County Sports Commission played host to a record 63 events this summer -- generating tourism tax revenue and providing business for area hotels during the slower summer months. More from the Palm Beach Post.

Tampa Bay now ranks third in the nation in house flipping

In the Tampa Bay area, there's a whole lot of flippin' going on. One out of every 10 homes sold in the second quarter of this year was a flip. Only Memphis and California's Porterville area had a bigger percentage of flips than Tampa Bay. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Shinn & Co. serves Florida's Gulf Coast with accounting and business consulting expertise

Serving high worth entrepreneurs across the nation for more than 20 years, Shinn & Co partners with clients to build extraordinary business structures and select internal controls that provide confidence and the strategies to safeguard wealth, reduce risk, and manage highly sensitive tax concerns. [Sponsored Report] Read the full story here.

Brightline's first locomotive completes initial testing

The first Brightline locomotive successfully completed initial track testing and moved for the first time powered by its Cummins diesel-electric engine on a quarter mile long track at the Siemens manufacturing facility. This signifies another major milestone for the production of Brightline’s trains. Full news release here.

Around the State
The mouse that roared

For decades, the tiny Perdido Key beach mouse has been a giant headache for developers and homeowners on this barrier island just west of Pensacola. But now, more than three decades after its designation as an endangered species, the mouse and developers appear to have found a way to co-exist.

» Access full story.

Event
Hispanic Unity of Florida's Entrepreneurial Summit 2016

The Hispanic Unity of Florida’s annual Entrepreneur Summit showcases the diverse array of businesses that contribute to South Florida’s economy. The event connects emerging entrepreneurs and established business owners with seasoned experts and resources to help their businesses grow.