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Tuesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
UF hits milestone: $837.6 million in research awards for FY 2018
The University of Florida received a record $837.6 million in research funding in fiscal year 2018, surpassing the previous record set in fiscal 2016 by $113.6 million, or nearly 16 percent. This significant increase was largely due to increased funding from the federal government, to fund projects ranging from health care to engineering to understanding the fundamental nature of the universe. “These record-shattering numbers reflect the growing prestige and reputation of the University of Florida as a research powerhouse,” said David Norton, UF’s vice president for research. Full story here.
Want to flip houses? Tampa still one of the best places to try it
Despite rising prices, Tampa remains one of the best cities in which to flip houses. According to the personal finance site WalletHub, Tampa ranks 10th among 172 cities compared on such metrics as median purchase price and average remodeling costs. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
After dropping in June, Florida consumer sentiment rebounds
Economic indicators in Florida have remained largely positive. Florida’s labor market continued strengthening with monthly statewide job gains. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Florida had the largest net gain of private sector jobs of any state in the last quarter of 2017. More from UF News.
Businesses along the coast say they're hurting because of red tide
Florida has an algae problem, and it’s big. This year, an overgrowth in the waters off the state’s southwestern coast is killing wildlife and making some beaches noxious. Some businesses in Southwest Florida stated red tide is impacting them significantly and they believe the problems will spread to northern counties. More from WFTS and the New York Times.
Canadian firm poised to enter Florida pot market
Toronto-based Scythian Biosciences Corp. announced Monday it intends to purchase a company that will take over the grower 3 Boys Farms, which received a highly sought-after medical marijuana license last August after suing the state. More from the Gainesville Sun.
Sports Business
2018 MLB Spring Training generated more than $680 million for Florida
Governor Rick Scott announced that the Florida Sports Foundation estimates that the 2018 Major League Baseball (MLB) spring training in Florida generated an economic impact of $687.1 million. The study also showed that 7,152 jobs are created annually by Florida Spring Training, accounting for $253.5 million in wages. MLB spring training takes place annually and features 15 MLB teams in 12 Florida cities.
Entertainment
Miami’s largest indoor theme park
Electric go-carts, zip lines, rock climbing, mini-golf, outdoor paint ball, paintless paint ball — the list of attractions coming to Miami’s largest indoor theme park could take up a few paragraphs. With 250,000 square feet of space, the park is packing in an extensive array of classes and activities, some of them virtual and some of them valued in the millions.
» Read more from the Miami Herald.
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