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Wednesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Biotech giant Amgen to open Tampa center, creating up to 450 jobs
Biotechnology giant Amgen is opening a facility in Tampa this October with promises to create as many as 450 jobs by 2018. Amgen specializes in creating medicine for diseases that have few treatment options. The Tampa location will be a "Capability Center," where highly-skilled staff will support a variety of functions such as delivery of business-enabling services including operational, analytical and staff support. See the full statement from the company and the Tampa Hillsborough EDC, here. Also read more at the Tampa Bay Times.
As citrus industry struggles, lawmakers consider industrial hemp
Across the country, advocates are hailing industrial hemp as a miracle crop. Some Floridians even think the plant could surpass oranges as an agricultural powerhouse. But lawmakers in the capitol are urging caution. More from WUSF.
SpaceX, Virgin vets bring new launches to Space Coast
The leaders of a Los Alamedos, Calif.,-based company that hopes to launch rockets from the Space Coast have some firepower on their resumes: SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, Moon Express. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Nevada company buys 1,300 acres in Manatee County
A Nevada company has paid $30 million for 1,300 acres of agricultural land in the eastern part of the county. A company affiliated with private finance firm Quarry Capital LLC bought the land from two companies owned by Claude and Linda Melli of Brandon. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Plans for fourth Jacksonville Amazon facility under review
Records from Jacksonville’s Building Inspections Division indicate the world’s largest internet retailer is interested in opening a fourth facility in the River City. More from the Florida Times-Union.
Development
Florida eco-friendly town opens for business
With a farm-to-table restaurant, driverless shuttles, homes built with the latest green techniques and a massive solar farm to offset energy use, Florida's first sustainable town is now open for business.
» More from Phys.org.
Related Florida Trend Archived Content
» Babcock Ranch: A place in the sun
Small Business
SBDC Day
Business has changed dramatically over the last 40 years, and the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network has been there throughout. To celebrate the success and impact that SBDCs foster each year, the network will take part in SBDC Day on Wednesday, March 22.
» Read more at Florida Trend.
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