Wednesday's Daily Pulse
The Triumphant Return of Private U.S. Passenger Rail
Private, inter-city passenger rail in America has been dead since 1983 but some think a new train service in Florida could serve as a national model. Beginning in 2016, All Aboard Florida will run 32 departures a day between Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach, with service extending to Orlando soon afterwards. [Source: Citylab]
Florida exports up 2% in April
The latest international trade numbers show that $4.73 billion worth of goods left Florida for international markets in April, an increase of 2 percent from March, according to Durham, N.H.-based e-forecasting.com. The April data is the most recent available. [Source: Orlando Business Journal]
Florida sells off closed prisons and state land
Florida is getting more than $27 million for selling off four closed prisons and other land around the state. The money will flow into the state fund that it used to purchase environmentally-sensitive lands. [Source: AP]
Florida should learn from logistics report
A recent study showing that Florida is behind in logistics and manufacturing should be a wake-up call for the state, according to a local logistics expert. Johnny Bowman Jr., a professor of logistics and transportation at Florida State College at Jacksonville, said the study should be used to gauge how we are doing as a state. [Source: Jacksonville Business Journal]
Can Parasitic Wasps Help Save America's Citrus?
Tamarixia radiata is a flea-size parasitic wasp from Pakistan that attacks Asian citrus psyllids. Hundreds of thousands of the tiny wasps have already been released in California. A lot is riding on the little bugs. [Source: National Geographic]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Scripps Research Institute in merger talks with USC [Palm Beach Post]
The Scripps Research Institute, recipient of the largest economic incentive ever handed out by the state of Florida, is negotiating a merger with the University of Southern California.
› Florida universities get $200 million in performance funding [Orlando Sentinel]
After years of financial struggles, Florida public universities are in the unusual position of having to figure out how best to spend what amounts to a $200 million bonus check.
› Port Canaveral's massive mission outlined to community [Florida Today]
Port Canaveral chief executive officer John Walsh knows the numbers seem unreal to some. But he insists they can come true. Walsh predicted Monday that the port's economic impact will reach $20 billion a year in 10 years, and the port will be responsible for 50,000 jobs in the area.
› Mystery company hunts for headquarters space in Lee [Fort Myers News-Press]
The mystery company is in town and scouting for a new headquarters site in Bonita Springs or Fort Myers — but the few clues that have been dropped about where aren't enough to narrow the speculation much.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
› The retirement crisis is upon us [The Hill]
There used to be an agreement between employers and employees: that if you worked hard, your employer would match your dedication to the company with a commitment to provide you a pension after a lifetime’s worth of work. That’s no longer the case.
› Floridians to get break on insurance bills [AP]
Floridians are going to get a slight break on their insurance bills next year. The state is ending a charge on insurance bills that has been used to pay off claims related to Hurricane Wilma. Wilma struck South Florida at the end of the 2005 hurricane season
› Navis to create 67 new hotel tech industry jobs in Orlando [Orlando Business Journal]
Navis will create 67 new high-wage jobs in Central Florida during the next three years, company executives are expected to announce June 17.
› Ringling students make mark on national stage [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Out of thousands of student entries from across the United States, only 20 gold and 39 silver American Advertising awards, or ADDYs, were given out. Of those, two gold and five silver were won by students at the Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota.