Monday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 7/24/2017

Visa program that has funded Florida business projects at risk of vanishing

A federal program that has help fund dozens of big new South Florida business projects over the past decade by swapping U.S. visas and green cards for foreign investment dollars is teetering on the brink of political extinction. More from the Miami Herald.

Southwest Florida small businesses focus on narrow categories and special services

After years of work as a welder and handyman, Glenn Kroecker found his niche on the Gulf Coast. He began installing the grab bars that help elderly people move safely in and out of bathtubs and showers. Physical therapists began referring patients to him. Like many other small business entrepreneurs in Southwest Florida, his business grew. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

FPL spends billions to strengthen power grid

With the hurricane season expected to heat up soon, one of Florida’s largest power companies is completing a massive 14-year upgrade to strengthen the power grid and improve service and reliability in the face of storms. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Backyard beekeeping surges in popularity across Florida

Up to 150,000 honeybees live in Dan Novak’s backyard — and he wouldn't have it any other way. Novak is one of nearly 4,400 registered beekeepers statewide, a number that has increased fivefold in the past decade. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Tallahassee wants to give up a dam to harness the sun

The City of Tallahassee is placing a power bet on solar to generate electricity. It’s walking away from a 90-year-old hydroelectric facility on Lake Talquin at Jackson Bluff as it prepares to triple its solar generating capacity within two years. More from the Tallahassee Democrat.

Florida Small Business
Michelle Pellito pairs song and social media

Michelle Pellito launched Capital Music Therapy in Tallahassee to bring the joy of music to children and adults with disabilities such as autism and Alzheimer’s. Working with a consultant from the Florida SBDC at Florida A&M University, Pellito put together a social media plan, then paid a marketing company to execute it.

» More from Florida Small Business.

Commentary
How Florida kept cool before air conditioning

In 1952, Florida proclaimed itself "The All-Year Vacation Land," with refreshing summer breezes cooled by the state’s many lakes and long coastline. In July weather, when we hurry from our air-conditioned houses to our air-conditioned cars through what may feel like a blast furnace, those cool summer breezes seem elusive at best