March 29, 2024

Friday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 5/15/2015

Record tourism numbers for the Sunshine State

Gov. Rick Scott announced this morning that Florida set another record in tourism numbers by welcoming the highest amount of visitors of any quarter in the state’s history. In the first quarter of this year (January-March), 28.4 million visitors came to the state, an increase of 6.2 percent over the same period in 2014. More at Florida Today.


Whole Foods suffers as mainstream grocers like Publix go upscale

Some aspects of Publix Super Markets Inc.'s newer stores — big wedges of specialty cheeses, a rainbow of organic produce — have an upscale, undeniably Whole Foods-like feel to them. That's no accident, and it appears to be working in Publix's favor. More at the Tampa Bay Business Journal.


Scott, 'with some hesitation,' signs online voter registration bill

Florida Dining
Chain Gang

title
While McDonald’s is deciding whether to turn back to basics or into the espresso lane, plenty of Florida dreamers are fast-forwarding into burgers, old favorites and new.

» Access full story

Gov. Rick Scott, citing "some hesitation," signed legislation Friday requiring Florida to create an online voter registration system by 2017. In a signing letter, Scott expressed concern about "the timing of required deliverables" that coincide with ongoing efforts to modernize the statewide voter database. More at the Times/Herald and the Daytona Beach News-Journal.


Growlers make the cut

Gov. Scott signed what has become known as the beer “growler” bill (SB 186), which will allow half-gallon containers to be filled at breweries, as can be done with other sized bottles. More at Pensacola Today and the Tallahassee Democrat.


Small business classes & workshops offered through May 22

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering these classes and webinars to Florida businesses. Most webinars are scheduled for one hour. Participants can ask questions about the information. More at Florida Trend.

Business Profile
Florida Millworks and Church Furniture

cameras If you're sitting on a church pew somewhere in Central Florida, chances are good it came from Florida Millworks and Church Furniture. The Winter Garden company is the only major manufacturer of custom-made pews, pulpits, chairs, communion tables and church railings in the state, said owner Gaylen Reddick.

» More from the Orlando Sentinel

Tags: Daily Pulse, Afternoon Pulse

In case you missed it:

Florida Trend Video Pick

Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices
Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices

Central Floirda chocolate shops are left with a bitter taste as cocoa prices hit an all-time high earlier this week.

Video Picks | Viewpoints@FloridaTrend

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