Despite storms, Florida hurricane fund remains in good shape

Florida's streak of dodging hurricanes is over, but the state-created fund that helps private insurers pay out claims after a storm remains in strong financial shape. The fund's advisory council on Tuesday approved new financial estimates that show the fund has roughly $17.5 billion available and could borrow $7.7 billion more if needed. See the report, "Claims-Paying Capacity Estimates" here. Also read more at the AP.

Minimum wage up 5 cents in Florida

Florida's hourly minimum wage is going up by a nickel. State officials announced that the wage will rise Jan. 1 from $8.05 to $8.10 an hour. Florida law requires the state to annually calculate the rate based on increases in the federal Consumer Price Index. [Source: WPLG]

Florida Frontiers: Florida in the American Revolution

The importance of Florida in early American history is often overlooked. The so-called “thirteen original colonies” that would lead to the creation of the United States exclude the fourteenth and fifteenth colonies of East Florida and West Florida. [Source: Florida Today]

FAU addresses physician shortages with new residency programs

New research on a looming physician shortage was released by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and reveals that in the next decade, the United States will face a shortage of physicians ranging between 61,700 and 94,700. [Sponsored Report] Full story from FAU is here.

Ex-Dominican president seeks stronger Florida ties

Leonel Fernandez thinks it’s time to take a fresh look at the Dominican Republic’s relationship with Florida, home to as many as 200,000 Dominicans. The former president of the island nation spoke Monday at Hodges University, where the college professor and author accepted a key to the city of Fort Myers. [Source: Fort Myers News-Press]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Florida Academy of Sciences moving headquarters from Orlando [Space Coast Daily]
Florida Academy of Sciences, the 81-year-old organization known for recognizing the state’s top scientists through its annual FAS Medalist program, will move its corporate offices from the Orlando Science Center to Florida Institute of Technology this fall.

› Florida TaxWatch announces top principals in high-risk schools [Florida Trend]
Principals are critical leaders in the education system. They are effective managers, role models and are the face of the school to the taxpayers.

› Startup accelerator relocates HQ to Wynwood [South Florida Business Journal]
Rokk3r Labs is going mainland, relocating its headquarters from Miami Beach to Wynwood as it works to foster creativity and growth.

Related Florida Trend Content
Rokk3r is turning ideas into companies

› Jacksonville’s Fanatics Inc. apparel company scores Major League Baseball deal [Florida Times-Union]
Fanatics, the Jacksonville based sports merchandise and memorabilia business has grown rapidly since they started with one store in the Avenues Mall in 1995.

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› Mortgage firm targets Florida for expansion [Business Observer]
Virginia Beach-based Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group, with Florida offices in Tampa, Lakeland and Orlando, has expanded to the Sarasota-Manatee market.

› Donald Trump to meet with Florida space officials Monday [Orlando Sentinel]
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has accepted an invitation to tour Kennedy Space Center and other locations on the Space Coast before sitting in on a roundtable of space industry leaders on Monday, Oct. 24.

› President of Orlando's Hispanic Chamber steps down [Orlando Sentinel]
Diana Bolivar, president of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando since 2013, has stepped down.

› Miami Dade College cancels huge development slated for Biscayne Boulevard [South Florida Business Journal]
Before it ever broke ground – and before a developer even began negotiating terms – Miami Dade College’s huge Biscayne Boulevard project is dead.