Wednesday's Afternoon Update
Florida’s agricultural and natural resources industries remain strong
Florida’s agriculture, natural resources and related food industries provided a $104 billion impact on the state in 2011 and have continued to improve since the 2008 recession, according to a new University of Florida study. The industries include crop, livestock, forestry and fisheries production; agricultural product and service providers; food product manufacturing; forest product manufacturing; food distribution; mining and nature-based recreation. More from UF News.
Jacksonville Jaguars, Winn-Dixie end sponsorship contract
Winn-Dixie grocery stores, one of the most lucrative and long-standing sponsors of the Jacksonville Jaguars, has ended the association with the NFL franchise. Officials with both the team and grocery store chain acknowledged Tuesday that the partnership came to an end within the past week. More at the Florida Times-Union.
BP seeks halt to Gulf oil spill settlement payouts
BP asked a federal judge on Tuesday to temporarily halt all settlement payments to Gulf Coast businesses and residents who claim they lost money after the company's 2010 oil spill while former FBI Director Louis Freeh investigates alleged misconduct by a lawyer who helped administer the multibillion-dollar settlement program. More at the AP.
Tampa International gets nonstop service to Panama City, Panama
A new air route will finally link the bay area to Latin America starting in December, when Copa Airlines will begin nonstop service to Panama City from Tampa International Airport, according to officials. Copa, or Compañía Panameña de Aviación, S.A., is the flagship airline of Panama and a major hub to the rest of Central and South America. More at the Tampa Bay Times.
Health care company names Bush to advisory board
Atlanta-based Jackson Healthcare announced that Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush had been appointed immediately to the advisory board of the company which reported $500 million in revenues in 2012 and served approximately 5 million patients nationwide. More at the AP.