UF backing out of Sanford Burnham deal

The much-debated plan for the University of Florida to take over operations of Sanford Burnham in Orlando's medical city is off, the Orlaando Sentinel reports. UF released this statement:

"The University of Florida is willing to discuss how it can be helpful to the state in a manner that makes sense for all parties. UF is the state's leader in research with more than $700 million in research expenditures and UF's oversight of the research enterprise would be highly successful. However, it is unclear how UF can help in a timely manner, given the likely need for legislative approval. As such, UF is unable to proceed at this time."

This casts a long shadow over the future of a biomedical research institute that has reaped more than $300 million in tax breaks since moving to Central Florida in 2006. Read more at WFTV.

» Related, from Florida Trend: Turning point: What Sanford Burnham Prebys' exit means

Florida making largest conservation land purchase in decade

With little comment, Gov. Rick Scott and the state Cabinet agreed Tuesday to spend more than $22 million to preserve three pieces of land covering 14,000 acres. Two of the deals, involving cattle ranches in Polk and Okeechobee counties, will cost a combined $6.16 million, funded through the Rural & Family Lands Protection Program. The third deal, costing $16.1 million for 11,027 acres south of Tallahassee, came through Florida Forever, which once was the primary program for land acquisition in the state. [Source: WPTV]

See also:
» More than 3,000 acres of environmentally sensitive ranch land preserved in Polk, Okeechobee

Florida's GOP donors mixed on Trump

The 2016 election has been anything but normal, and financial donations from Florida's wealthiest Republicans were no different. A USA Today Florida Network analysis shows Republican donors largely shied away from financially supporting Donald Trump and instead gave to down-ballot candidates or special interest groups. [Source: Pensacola News Journal]

Miami among top U.S. metros for Asian real estate investment

If the first half of 2016 is an indicator, Asian investment in global commercial real estate is on track to set a record for the year. And among U.S. metros benefiting from Asian commercial real estate investment, Miami is No. 4. [Source: South Florida Business Journal]

Florida inks deal with fertilizer maker on sinkhole cleanup

Florida officials have reached a deal with the company responsible for a large sinkhole that resulted in millions of gallons of contaminated water pouring into a drinking water aquifer. [Source: AP]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› USF launches enhanced guaranteed admission program with regional Florida colleges [Florida Trend]
The University of South Florida System and seven regional Florida College System institutions launched FUSE, a new guaranteed admission program that creates a seamless and timely degree path for students to earn an associate degree before transferring to any of the USF System institutions for a bachelor’s degree.

› DEX Imaging acquires Omega Office Systems [Florida Trend]
DEX Imaging, Inc. is pleased to announce the acquisition of Omega Office Systems, a $3 million KYOCERA and XEROX dealership headquartered in Sarasota, Florida, with service coverage from Naples to New Port Richey.

› Manatee County to consider marijuana moratorium [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
A six-month moratorium on medical marijuana businesses is likely to be enacted in unincorporated Manatee County if Florida voters pass Amendment 2 on the Nov. 8 ballot.

› Mayport’s dwindling shrimp fleet scrambling for dock space after Hurricane Matthew [Florida Times-Union]
The fresh, wild-caught shellfish known as Mayport shrimp, a longtime favorite among Northeast Florida diners, has been a staple of the region for decades. But its days may be numbered.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Tampa Bay Rowdies announce jump to United Soccer League [Bay News 9]
The Tampa Bay Rowdies announced Tuesday that the club will be joining the United Soccer League (USL) for the 2017 season. The just completed 2016 season saw the USL record a total attendance of almost 1.5 million for its 29 teams, a 33 percent increase from 2015.

› Port Manatee key to regional growth, planning summit participants told [American Journal of Transportation]
Port Manatee is seen playing a critical role in the economic growth of Manatee and Sarasota counties. The importance of the port and regional transportation infrastructure to the regional economy was a key theme of the Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization Freight and Economic Development Summit.

› South Florida homes keep getting more expensive [Miami Herald]
South Florida home prices are still rising despite a market slowdown. Home prices in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties rose 7.1 percent year-over-year in August, according to the closely watched S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Index.

› Top Hard Rock Cafe executive steps down [South Florida Business Journal]
Hamish Dodds, the president and CEO of Orlando-based Hard Rock Cafe International Inc., has announced he will step down from his role soon.