Wednesday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 12/12/2018

Florida citrus crop shows untypical stability

In its most recent crop report, the U.S. Department of Agriculture held Florida’s projected 2018-19 citrus crop rock steady. This season’s orange crop remained at 77 million boxes of oranges to be harvested throughout June, 6.4 million grapefruit boxes and 1.2 million boxes of tangerines and tangelos, said the USDA. Read the announcement and see more from WJXT.

Florida Trend Exclusive
Creature comforts: Software engineering company Beast Code outgrows its headquarters

Beast Code

Fort Walton Beach-based Beast Code, a software company formed in 2014, expected its headquarters would be big enough for at least five years. But Beast Code’s computer scientists won major Department of Defense contacts, and the company’s employee roster has grown to nearly 40. Read the full story here.

Gainesville program empowers women in tech and engineering

EWITS is a 10 week long program where women learn how to overcome hurdles they may face in a startup. The program arranges women into teams where they are assigned a University of Florida patented product and come up with a strategy to make it marketable. More from WCJB.

Hefty sales, big crowds at Miami Art Week fairs

At Art Basel Miami Beach, veteran gallerists from Europe, Latin America and the U.S. applauded this year’s strong sales and completion of the Miami Beach Convention Center renovation, which resulted in roomier booths with increased space for art. More from the Miami Herald.

Central Florida economy, tourism roared in 2018

The year in Central Florida business saw unemployment rates plunge and wages rise as housing, downtown developments and tourism soared. By the fall, the jobless rate in Metro Orlando had tumbled to 2.7 percent, down from 3.4 percent the year before. Home values continued to rise, with sales hampered only by the limited number of houses and condos for sale. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Animal Business
Largest dog show in country returns to Orlando

The Canine Extravaganza returns to Orlando's Orange County Convention Center this Dec. 15 -16. Presented by the American Kennel Club and Royal Canin, the dog show has plenty of fun events for dog lovers including Meet the Breeds, the North American Diving Dogs competition, Trick Dog demonstrations, the Agility Invitational, and the Obedience Classic.

» More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Business Profile
Masaryk Winery

Dan Ebbecke’s latest farming enterprise allows him to serve up the fruits of his labor, this time in a stemmed glass. The long-time grower of small fruits and produce is fermenting homegrown fruits into an array of table wines at his Florida farm-based Masaryk Winery.