What Trump's Cuba policy could mean for Florida businesses

The same Florida businesses that made history by reviving long-stalled business relations between the U.S. and Cuba could be heavily impacted by President Trump’s expected tougher stance on transactions and travel between the countries, experts say. Many believe Trump is specifically looking to restrict U.S. companies' business dealings with the Cuban military. In Cuba much of the country’s economy is controlled by the military through GAESA, a holding company run by the military. [Source: South Florida Business Journal]

See also:
» U.S. corporations and young Cuban-Americans vie to maintain détente with Cuba
» Trump advisers say he has a Cuba plan, but worry he’ll change his mind
» Can ocean science bring Cuba and the United States together?
» Opinion: Cuba, U.S. better off if their doors stay open

Florida leads nation in spike in boating accidents and fatalities

With more than 11,000 miles of rivers, coastlines, and waterways, new U.S. Coast Guard data shows Florida leads the nation in boating accidents and boating deaths, a trend that has been growing in Florida and nationwide since 2013. There were 684 boating accidents in Florida alone in 2016, up from 671 the year before, and 581 in 2014, according to the report. More from WUSF and WFTS.

Only a fraction of Floridians own a solar power system

The number of Floridians who own renewable energy systems, such as solar panels, that are interconnected to electric utilities and generate power stood at 15,994 at the end of last year. That’s a minuscule fraction of the state’s 20 million residents. But according to the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC), that 15,994 number was up 38 percent over 2015. See the news release from the PSC, here. Also read more at the Palm Beach Post.

Study finds 28 different types of bacteria in Florida algae blooms

Last summer, blue-green algae blooms on Florida’s coasts killed fish and nauseated residents and tourists. There’s a new study of water samples taken from Lake Okeechobee and the St. Lucie Estuary last June and July. Scientists found 28 different types of bacteria in the algae, some of which can be harmful to humans. [Source: WMFE]

Politics and tech do mix, when it’s eMerge Americas

Politics may not have quite trumped tech, but it was certainly a topic on many lips Monday as Miami’s homegrown technology conference opened its fourth edition. A record crowd of more than 13,000 registered for this year’s showcase of trends, impacts and innovation at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, delivered the keynote on the opening day. Armando Perez (Pitbull) and Suze Orman gave their perspectives on technology. See a summary of the opening day from eMerge Americas, here. Also read more at the Miami Herald.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› OIA pushes for direct flights to China [WFTV]
Orlando is pushing hard for a direct flight to China. It has been a very long process to try and make a deal, but billions of dollars would pour into Central Florida through a Chinese connection.

› When cancer threatens, Tampa General provides an innovative solution [Sponsored Report]
Tampa resident Curtistine Bryant was looking forward to a milestone event when she got bad news: her liver was filled with tumors. Most doctors would classify the cancer as inoperable. But Dr. Julio Sokolich of Tampa General chose to try an innovative approach.

› Client Focused Media buys Jacksonville Party Co. [Florida Times-Union]
Jacksonville marketing firm Client Focused Media has acquired Jacksonville Party Co., an event planning service. Client Focused Media and its sister company The Buzz Media Group have 32 employees.

› Disney sues over property assessments for Magic Kingdom, other properties [Orlando Sentinel]
Disney filed nearly a dozen lawsuits at the end of last month in Orange Circuit Court, arguing the assessments by Orange County Appraiser Rick Singh exceeded their properties’ fair market value and incorrectly "included the value of certain intangible property in the assessments."

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› Southwest Florida accounting firms merge into one company [News Release]
A pair of accounting firms, Wiltshire, Whitley, Richardson & English P.A. and McGee-CPA PL, have merged together. The merger is effective as of June 1, according to a statement.

› JaxPort will seek $47 million to $150 million from city for river deepening [Florida Times-Union]
The city’s share of the cost for deepening the St. Johns River could be as high as $150.7 million or as low as $47 million, according to scenarios outlined by the Jacksonville Port Authority for how to finance the $484 million project.

› Nicholas Financial CEO steps down after 29 years with the Clearwater lender [Tampa Bay Times]
Nicholas Financial CEO Ralph T. Finkenbrink will retire "for personal reasons" effective Sept. 30, the company said Monday. The company's board of directors said it expects to initiate a search for a new chief executive soon.

› Punta Gorda Airport reports 11 percent growth in passengers [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
The passenger count in May for Punta Gorda Airport rose 11.39 percent to 97,304. For the 12 months ending in May, the airport reported a count of 1,218,411 passengers, running neck and neck with Sarasota-Bradenton International, which reported 1,173,335 passengers through April.