Wednesday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 12/6/2017

Are the Everglades in danger of losing federal protection?

With a stroke of a pen, President Trump shrank two federally protected, national monuments by more than two million acres in Utah. Now, there's growing fear that the Everglades National Park, which celebrates its seventieth anniversary today, could be on a list of protected land to suffer the same fate. More from NBC 2 and WPTV.

French entrepreneurs seek investors, partners in Naples

The Naples Accelerator has an air of French flair — again. The accelerator, designed to help small startups and international companies break into the market with their products and services, is once again hosting a group of visiting French entrepreneurs. More from the Naples Daily News.

New Research from FSAE shows economic impact of associations in Florida

The Florida Society of Association Executives presents research show The total economic impact the 1,000 largest associations in the state have a $3.7 billion economic impact (direct and indirect benefits). “The economic impact of Florida’s associations is real and it’s powerful,” said FSAE Chair Vicki Long, CAE. “Whether in Tallahassee, Orlando or Miami, the fiscal impact of the not-for-profit sector on local business is huge and one that should be recognized statewide as a major component in the state’s economic engine.” Full news release here.

Related link:
» Infographic: Economic impact of Florida’s associations

GreenPal, the 'Uber for lawn care,' launches in South Florida

The ride-sharing app Uber has spawned so many imitators, the phrase “Uber of” has almost become a cliché: JetSmarter is the “Uber of Private Jets.” SoFi is the “Uber of finance.” Now GreenPal, a platform designed to ease transactions for lawn care service providers and customers, has launched in South Florida More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Florida Trend Exclusive
Evolving: Fort Lauderdale's beach strip is remade again

Some 30 years ago, investor, restaurateur and bar owner A.J. Yaari bought into Fort Lauderdale beach. He’s seen the long-running evolution of the beach from host of drunken spring break revelry to home of a W and a Ritz-Carlton. More from Florida Trend.

Event
History of Florida broadcasting

There are many stories of the state's pioneers of broadcasting, and author Donn Colee will bring to life a few of those to life when he speaks Wednesday night at the Tampa Bay History Center. Colee says we're sitting at the precipice of a very uncertain time, especially for commercial broadcasters.

» More from WUSF.

Out of the Box
Business essay contest

The owner of a hydroponic gardening store in Largo says he's giving away his 25-year-old business to whoever writes the best, 250-word essay expressing why they're most worthy. That's the building, the land, the website and the inventory, according to the Facebook page for Simply Hydroponics and Organics. The catch is that it will cost you $100 to enter "as many times as you want."