Major Florida metros rank last in U.S. median income levels

Alas, new and frustrating numbers released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau cast a harsh light on major Florida metro areas. Tampa Bay, Orlando and Miami rank 25th, 24th and 23rd in income among the top 25 U.S. metro areas. See data on metro areas from the Census Bureau, and a map of U.S. states. Also read more at the Tampa Bay Times.

See also:
» U.S. Census Bureau: St. Johns County is the richest in Florida
» Florida had economic gains in 2015 but lags behind nation

Florida in 2070: Sprawling growth and booming population

Unless communities across Florida change their approach to growth, more than one-third of all the state's land could be developed by 2070 as its population continues to swell, a "Florida 2070" report released Thursday concludes. The study recommends putting more homes on less land, near already urbanized areas and also setting aside more land to be preserved for farming and conservation. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, and Florida Today.

 

The Gulf’s Deadly Harvest: Industry finds oyster safety rules easy to beat

When it comes to oysters and food safety, a porous system of oversight causes uncertainties about what’s on your plate, where it came from, and who will be accountable if something goes wrong, a Sun Sentinel investigation found. To many in Florida’s old-school oyster industry, there is no question who is to blame when someone gets sick: the consumer. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Florida farmers grow hops plants for craft beers

The demand for craft beer is at an all-time high, and Florida farmers are jumping into the business. By growing hops crops, plants that are heavily used in the making of craft beers with distinct flavors, Florida farmers can sell them to local brewers and make a profit out of this trend. [Source: WUFT]

Ticketed events bring special access to Florida restaurants and chefs

Restaurants in Central Florida are finding a new way to appeal to food fans with exclusive chef dinners that include off-menu dishes and access to chefs for a premium. The ticket-only dinner events can cost anywhere from $40 to $150 a person, often doubling the price of a regular meal. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Does South Florida need any more co-working spaces? [South Florida Business Journal]
As South Florida's technology landscape continues to unfold, the resources considered essential to its evolution — from university-sponsored accelerators to startup networking events — are expanding, too.

› Gainesville chamber unveils new marketing logo to lure business [Gainesville Sun]
The Council for Economic Outreach unveiled a marketing brand Wednesday that will provide the visual piece of its marketing campaign to try to draw attention to an area little known by business site-selectors.

› FPL says it hits half-million new solar panels [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Florida Power & Light Co., which bills itself as the largest generator of solar power in Florida, said Thursday that it had completed the installation of half of the 1 million new solar panels it plans to add by the end of this year to power its customers.

› Dental management firm drills into Florida [Business Observer]
Great Expressions Dental Centers, a Southfield, Mich.-based dental practice management firm, is carrying out an aggressive growth plan in Florida, with two recent affiliation agreements in the Tampa area.

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› Black bears ‘robust and growing’ in Florida [AP]
Wildlife officials say an analysis confirms Florida’s black bear population is “robust and growing.” Dr. Joseph Clark of the U.S. Geological Survey and the University of Tennessee studied the data collected by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in 2015.

› Hotwire Communications to create Fort Lauderdale HQ, 375 jobs [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Hotwire Communications announced Thursday it plans to create 375 jobs and retain 300 existing jobs in making the former BankAtlantic building its headquarters and dubbing it the "Hotwire Technology Center."

› Survey: Tourists shunning Disney World trips because of Zika [Orlando Sentinel]
Zika fears are causing travelers to reconsider Walt Disney World trips, according to a recent survey for a financial services firm. Almost half the respondents from two CivicScience polls last week said they either canceled Disney vacations or decided to not plan one currently because of Zika.

› Miami getting serious about sea level rise [Miami Today]
Saying it’s time to get serious about sea level rise, Miami city commissioners are moving to reauthorize a committee studying the topic and give it funding.