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Thursday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Harold Gary Morse, developer of The Villages, dies
Harold Gary Morse, the developer of one of the world's largest retirement communities and one of the biggest Republican donors in Florida, died Wednesday. He was 77. Morse turned small mobile home park in central Florida into the fastest-growing metro area in the U.S with a population just shy of 100,000 residents. Morse was also a prominent GOP donor who made his private jet available to the Republican Party of Florida. More from the AP and the Orlando Sentinel
Why Florida should embrace medical tourism
Already a capital of global tourism, Florida has an opportunity to bring even more tourists and more revenue to the state by investing in medical tourism, according to an independent analysis by Florida TaxWatch. Read more here and see the full report.
Is Publix joining trend of smaller stores?
More indications are surfacing that Publix plans to develop a smaller-store prototype. A number of grocers have turned to smaller-store footprints as a way to offer convenient shopping trips in crowded, urban markets. More at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
All Aboard Florida begins construction in Fort Lauderdale
All Aboard Florida is one step closer to connecting Orlando and Miami, officially beginning construction Oct. 29 on the Fort Lauderdale station. Service for the $2.3 billion All Aboard Florida passenger rail is slated to begin in South Florida by the end of 2016. More at the Orlando Business Journal.
Calligraphers find write stuff to succeed in Central Florida
More than 50 lettering pens surround Vivian Mungall's work space. Elaborate, colorful certificates adorn the wall space behind her. Calligraphy, most commonly associated with the fancy scribe work on wedding invitations and envelopes, is a thriving business and hobby in Central Florida. More at the Orlando Sentinel.
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