Wednesday's Daily Pulse
Publix announces entry into Virginia
Publix Super Markets is forging ahead with its expansion into new states by announcing it has signed leases for two stores in Virginia. The two stores will be Publix's first in Virginia, which becomes the company's seventh state of operation. Read the full announcement from Publix. Also see more at the Tampa Bay Times, and the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
See also:
» In global value, Publix brand stands alone representing Florida businesses
More people than ever filing taxes digitally
Growth in digital options means a growing percentage of taxpayers filing with technology rather than a tax professional. According to the IRS, one in three tax returns last year were done digitally, which is up from one in five in 2009, the first year IRS numbers were available. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Tampa Bay Times to print the Tampa Tribune
Starting this month, the Times will begin its transition toward printing all editions and weekly sections of the Tribune, its affiliate publications — including Centro, Highlands Today, and The Suncoast News — and its commercial printing partners, the New York Post and the MacDill Thunderbolt, a weekly newspaper devoted to news about MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. See the company statement here.
Plan to spin off air traffic control generates turbulence
The air traffic control system that choreographs the roughly 7,000 aircraft in U.S. skies at any given moment is the most complex, but also one of the safest, in the world — and rarely a thought in the minds of the millions of travelers who rely on it. [Source: AP]
Star Wars propels Disney to world’s most powerful brand
With Star Wars’ brand value alone estimated at $10 billion, Disney is reaping rewards from the $4 billion it paid for Lucasfilm in 2012, according to Brand Finance, which ranks brand strength based on familiarity, loyalty, promotion and marketing investment. [Source: Bloomberg]
› Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program now accepting applications [Florida Small Business]
The Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program, a new statewide initiative that offers qualified veterans the opportunity to receive an accelerated entrepreneurship education at no cost, is now accepting applications.
› Permits for new homes in Northeast Florida highest in a decade [Florida Times-Union]
Led by St. Johns County, last month was the busiest January for new single-family building permits since 2006. According to the Northeast Florida Builders Association, a total of 572 permits were issued in the four-county area.
› ADT to launch product with LG in spring [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
ADT, the nation's largest home security company, said it plans to launch its 24/7 security monitoring service this spring with LG's Smart Security product.
› Mysterious Magic Leap lands $793.5 million in mega-funding round [Miami Herald]
Magic Leap, the secretive South Florida startup working on a device that simulates reality, has raised $793.5 million in a new round of funding led by Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.
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› Florida Zika virus cases up to nine [First Coast News]
Nine total cases of Zika virus have been confirmed in Florida as of Tuesday, including six new cases just this week, according to the Florida Department of Health.
› NASA’s Orion spacecraft bound for Mars lands in Florida for tests [The Financial Express]
The Orion capsule, NASA’s spacecraft designed to land humans on Mars, was carried from the US space agency’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans to Kennedy Space Center Florida for structural integrity tests.
› State says stadium projects can get taxpayer money [Orlando Sentinel]
Eight months after the Orlando City Lions decided to finance their new stadium with completely private money, a state agency said three other stadium renovation projects qualify for state funding.
› B/E Aerospace reports revenues up 5 percent [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Wellington airplane cabin maker B/E Aerospace saw revenues increase by 5 percent and operating earnings by 7.5 percent in 2015. Annual revenues were $2.7 billion compared with $2.6 billion a year ago.