Friday's Daily Pulse
The economics of climate change
As warnings about global warming become more dire and the consequences increasingly evident, more and more businesses, and local officials, are factoring climate change into their decisions about the future. [Source: National Geographic]
See also:
» Climate Change May Cost Much More Than The Federal Government Says
Florida venture capital doubled to $862M in 2014
Venture capitalists pumped $862 million into Florida startups in 2014, mostly due to Dania Beach startup Magic Leap's phenomenal funding. The virtual reality firm raised a total of $592 million last year from investors such as Google and Andreessen Horowitz. [Source: South Florida Business Journal]
Businesses welcome new rules on Cuba travel, trade
New regulations now allow shipments of construction materials from the United States to small businesses, religious groups and other non-government groups in Cuba, for example, portending greater opportunities for U.S. sales for Gulf South and many more companies. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
See also:
» Miami investor: How to prepare to do business in Cuba
» For U.S. airlines, new Cuba travel rules don’t mean flights just yet
Florida cities fight offshore drilling
As more communities along Florida's Atlantic coastline dig in against offshore drilling, several civic, business and environmental leaders spoke out this week against federal plans to open ocean waters to exploration. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Report shines light on role of immigrant-owned small businesses
Immigrants are moderately more likely to be business owners than their non-immigrant counterparts, but they are dramatically more likely to be owners of Main Street businesses — grocery stores, restaurants, clothing stores and other enterprises that are key to neighborhood growth and vitality. [Source: Miami Herald]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Broward College launches business incubator [South Florida Business Journal]
Broward College launched a business incubator Thursday, offering mentoring and coworking space to South Florida startups. The Innovation Hub will be partially focused on sports-related startups as part of a partnership with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.
› As legal battle looms, Florida craft brewers launch crowdfunding campaign [Jacksonville Business Journal]
A crowdfunding campaign launched by the Florida Brewers Guild on Thursday seeks to build a war chest for upcoming legal battles. The campaign on Indiegogo aims to raise $100,000 in 60 days.
› Legoland Florida announces opening date for new hotel [Orlando Business Journal]
Legoland Florida expects to welcome the first guests to its new hotel this spring. The theme park on Thursday revealed that the new 152-room hotel located on its property would open its doors May 15.
› Florida RV SuperShow turns back the clock [Tampa Bay Times]
Dust off your 8-track and bust out those hip hugger jeans, old is new at this year's Florida RV SuperShow. The show, which runs through Sunday, features hundreds of recreational vehicles of all varieties and price ranges.
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› Florida is the worst state to get into a car crash [South Florida Business Journal]
The Sunshine State is the worst state to get into a car crash because of a combination of uninsured drivers and minimal insurance requirements, according to a WalletHub study released Thursday.
› Seminole Tribe plans housing on Hollywood reservation [South Florida Business Journal]
The Seminole Tribe of Florida plans to build more homes on its 497-acre reservation in Hollywood. The federal government recently gave the Tribe the power to approve land leases without the need of approval by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
› Florida Gov. wants more money to help charter schools [AP]
Florida Gov. Rick Scott wants a significant boost in the money going to help fix and build new charter schools. Scott on Thursday announced he will ask state legislators to set aside $100 million in the coming year to help with construction costs.
› Many say two-hour parking puts a limit on downtown St. Petersburg fun [Tampa Bay Times]
St. Petersburg is hopping and shoppers and diners want more than two hours of parking to take it all in. Even with a smartphone app that allows patrons to add time on metered spaces, many say the fear of a ticket in short-term parking is cramping their ability to explore St. Petersburg's steadily growing downtown.