Monday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 4/2/2018

National Science Foundation gives $184 million to fund MagLab at FSU and UF

The National Science Foundation announced on Monday that it was awarding $184 million to the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (MagLab), whose main location is at Florida State University. The foundation said that the grant would cover five years and is a 9 percent increase over the last round of funding. U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., said the large grant means "the Mag Lab is here to stay." MagLab also has facilities at the University of Florida and Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. See the NSF news release here. Also read more at the AP.

Sales and Marketing Advice
Understanding the 'why' of people who buy

There’s a saying in sales and marketing that goes like this: “Nobody who’s ever bought a drill actually wanted a drill. They wanted a hole.” But the big question is, WHY do they need the hole? Read Ron Stein's full column here.

Discrimination loophole can affect some employees at Florida's small businesses

Florida employees at small businesses may not be legally protected from discrimination at the state level, depending on how many co-workers they have. The Sunshine State is one of 10 that require an employer to have 15 or more employees in order to be held responsible for discrimination. That number includes all branches of a company. More from the Ocala Star-Banner.

Craft liquor maker Loggerhead Distillery setting up in Sanford

A new craft liquor maker, Loggerhead Distillery, is trying to set up shop in downtown Sanford’s growing food and drink district. Initial plans call for Loggerhead to make vodka, gin aged rums and limited runs of whiskey “with a distinctive flair,” according to an application submitted by one of the owners. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

A bus service that residents can’t get enough of? It’s happening in Miami

Freebees, the Miami-born company, is in the midst of expanding across Dade and beyond, thanks to local governments looking to provide transportation options to residents traveling short distances in flourishing urban cores. More from the Miami Herald.

Small Business
National Small Business Week

U.S. Small Business South Florida District Office recently announced the winners of the SBA’s 2018 District and State of Florida Small Business Week Awards. Winners will be presented with their NSBW awards during various ceremonies throughout their district during the week of April 29 - May 5, 2018 (Small Business Week).

» 2018 National Small Business Week Winners named for South Florida

» 2018 National Small Business Week Winners named for North Florida

Business Profile
Neighborhood Fuel

If you could use an app to send someone to fill your car’s empty gas tank while you were at work, would you do it? Miami-based Neighborhood Fuel thinks so. It’s a bet based on an underground service that’s operated in Miami for years: Having a truck come by with a guy dragging a hose across your yard to fill up your boat.