Florida Trend | Florida's Business Authority

Friday's Afternoon Update

Citrus agency tightens belt amid industry woes

The Florida Department of Citrus plans to continue to squeeze its operations during the coming year as the industry struggles. The Florida Citrus Commission is recommending a 22 percent spending cut. The proposed $17.5 million operating budget would eliminate $1.5 million in retail marketing and another $1.4 million for public relations, but would not omit free orange juice at state welcome centers. More from WFSU and the Tampa Bay Times.

See also:
» Diminished citrus industry seeks to lock in agency executive director

Port Canaveral to consider new lease for SpaceX

SpaceX is leasing more land at Port Canaveral for rocket storage, and submitted a plan for a new rocket hangar, according to documents filed with the Port’s board of commissioners. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Investment opportunities in Florida's medical marijuana industry

Talk to people with experience in Colorado and California and they’ll say there’s lots of money to be made in Florida expanding medical marijuana industry, however, 80% of the money will go to people who never have to touch a plant. More from WGCU.

Jacksonville drone expert named to national board

Brent Klavon, a Jacksonville expert in unmanned vehicles, was recently named to the national board of directors for the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International. More from the Jacksonville Business Journal.

Florida Institute funds Alachua-based Amend Surgical

The Florida Institute for the Commercialization of Public Research (the Florida Institute) has finalized a funding agreement with Amend Surgical, an Alachua-based medical device company with newly licensed technology developed at the University of Florida. More from the Gainesville Business Report.

Tallahassee Trend
The Villages takes a break from political involvement

florida In the summer of 2014, the family behind The Villages, the retirement community that straddles three counties in central Florida, came through for Gov. Rick Scott in a big way. A few months later, in October 2014, Gary Morse passed away at age 77. The Villages’ involvement in politics hasn’t been the same since.

» Access full article.

Business Profile
RecordGram

florida originalsMiami-based RecordGram’s music collaboration app that lets amateur musicians create original songs with award-winning music producers without having to trek to L.A., New York, Nashville or land a spot on “The Voice.”

» Read more from the Miami Herald.