Florida Trend Exclusive
2018 Economic Yearbook: Florida's Report Card

This week and next, we will be running a series on the Daily Pulse that features an economic profile for each of Florida's six regions. Today, a look at statewide demographics, including population, median age, per capita income and unemployment rate. Go to the story.

» Coming tomorrow: A look at the economy of Miami and Miami-Dade County.

Florida readies for Volkswagen's dirty-diesel dollars

Volkswagen’s diesel scam has netted nearly $3 billion for states to spend on low- or no-pollution cars, buses, trucks, locomotives and other vehicles from forklifts to ships. Florida’s share of VW’s penalty proceeds is $166.3 million and competition for the cash is fierce and diverse. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Report: Florida tech sector added more than 12,000 jobs in 2017

Florida's technology industry added more than 12,000 jobs in 2017, ranking the state fourth nationwide when it comes to year-over-year job growth, according to a new report. The state has roughly 539,100 tech workers, representing 5.7% of the state's total workforce. [Source: Orlando Business Journal]

NASA's mission to touch the sun arrives in Florida

NASA's Parker Solar Probe has arrived in Florida to begin final preparations for its launch to the Sun, scheduled for July 31, 2018. Parker Solar Probe is humanity's first mission to the Sun. After launch, it will orbit directly through the solar atmosphere – the corona – closer to the surface than any human-made object has ever gone. [Source: Phys.org]

Special Report
How to improve research and development programs at universities in Florida

Two new reports from the Florida Council of 100 detail how research and development is faring at Florida universities, and make recommendations on how to improve it. The first report, "Best Practices in Business-Academic R&D Collaboration," shows that Florida’s State University System lags only California, Texas, and Michigan for public university research expenditures — and is catching up. The second report, "100 University Ideas for Enhancing Business-University Collaboration in Florida," contains "best practice" recommendations for how to achieve greater results in R&D. See the reports here.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Cleveland publisher buys Tampa alternative weekly Creative Loafing [Tampa Bay Times]
Euclid Media Group announced Monday it has bought Creative Loafing Tampa, the edgy alternative weekly that’s covered Tampa Bay area arts, entertainment, politics and local news since 1988.

› NRC to issue license for two new reactors in Florida [Press Release]
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission said it will issue a license to utility Florida Power & Light for two new nuclear reactors at Turkey Point, south of Miami, doubling the number of reactors onsite.

› Foodies suddenly flocking to oft-ignored Sanford [Orlando Sentinel]
Now with four breweries, a cider maker and critically acclaimed restaurants such as The Smiling Bison and Tennessee Truffle, Sanford is becoming a foodie haven.

› FSU bestows highest honor on pioneering business professor [FSU News]
Pamela L. Perrewé, professor of business administration in the Department of Management, has been named Florida State University’s 2018-2019 Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor. It’s the highest honor given by FSU faculty members to one of their own. (This story from FSU News includes a video of Perrewé.)

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› A first-look at the Tampa Fresco y Más stores replacing Winn-Dixie this week [Tampa Bay Times]
Jose Martín noticed the growing demand for Latin foods as a store manager for the Westchase Winn-Dixie as soon as he started two years ago. Martín saw a growing number of Hispanic guests push their carts through the aisles. He needed more than an international food section and the makeshift Hispanic display he made of canned goods.

› Popular Community Bank rebrands as Popular, looks toward Broward expansion [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Popular Community Bank, which operates nearly a dozen branches in South Florida, is rebranding itself Monday as just Popular and intends to expand its footprint in Broward County, the institution’s top regional executive said.

› FIU partners with Chinese business school [PIE News]
The Florida International University College of Business has announced its partnership with the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, laying the groundwork for a network of academic and professional alliances that will reach from Miami to one of China’s leading business schools.

› Antigua to import oranges from Florida [Antigua Observer]
Antigua and Barbuda will resume the importation of oranges from Florida without the benefit of a critical piece of document from the unit that is mandated to prevent the introduction and control the spread of agricultural pest in the country.