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Monday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Tourism-focused economy still grapples with workforce brain drain
While "brain drain" is common in small and medium-sized markets across the country, some local Florida leaders have been making efforts over the past several years to combat it by diversifying the economy, but it is still largely based on tourism and real estate. More from the Fort Myers News-Press.
Orlando restaurants seek to grow aggressively after quick starts
Foxtail Coffee Co. opened its third location in Altamonte Springs in April, and the local cafe is already planning locations four, five, six and seven. Foxtail’s growth is aggressive, but it’s not the only Orlando-area restaurant company going from startup to fast-growing brand. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Fort Myers businessman brings awareness to Alzheimer's disease with #OneMemory
Sam Lewis wants to bring back the longest memories to the longest day. For the last six years, Lewis has raised more than $35,000 for Alzheimer’s awareness. This year, he has his most ambitious project to date: To create a trending or viral sensation on June 21, the longest day. More from the Fort Myers News-Press.
Florida’s first not-for-profit coding school is opening in St. Petersburg
Filling in a hole that was left by The Iron Yard’s exodus last year, a new computer coding school will open its doors to its first class in downtown St. Petersburg on July 23. The Academy at Suncoast Developers Guild will operate through the software development community, Suncoast Developers Guild, Inc. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
A company founded by a Cuban American just made the Fortune 500. It's likely the first of its kind
MasTec, the construction and infrastructure firm founded by Cuban exile Jorge Mas Canosa, has made the 2018 Fortune 500 list of largest publicly traded companies in America, ranking at 428. Last year it came in at 502. The company believes this is the first time a company created by a Cuban American has made the list. More from the Miami Herald.
Small Business Success Story
Battling the bureaucracy
Ahmed Cruz was no business novice when he came to Florida SBDC for help. He and his partners had already launched three successful startups, and one of them — Globenet International Corp., a provider of turnkey tech solutions — wanted to become a government contractor. But while Cruz knew telecommunications and computers, government contracting was beyond his expertise.
» More from Florida Small Business.
Craft Competition
Florida craft beer guild: Big Beer is pushing us out of Publix
The national battle between Big Beer and local craft breweries is playing out on the shelves of your neighborhood Publix — and some favorite Florida brewmakers are losing. The guild that represents Florida brewers says at least 12 small breweries have had merchandise reduced or completely taken off the shelves in some Publix stores across the state.
» Read more from the Tampa Bay Times.
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