Friday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 1/4/2019

For Florida film industry promoters, going small pays off with indie film boom in Tampa Bay area

Florida's Hollywood dreams all but died five years ago when the Legislature declined to continue a tax incentive program and quit competing with other states for big-budget productions. But targeting smaller independent films and their six- or seven-figure budgets has proven successful in the Tampa Bay area. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Gainesville votes to ban plastic bags, Styrofoam

A plan to ban plastic bags and Styrofoam containers in Gainesville got the first of two approvals it needs from city leaders to become law. Following a trend seen around the country and internationally, the move is intended to prevent additional waste from making its way into environment. More from the Gainesville Sun.

Lockheed Martin shows off Orlando-built exoskeleton tech for U.S. Army

Lockheed Martin recently gave the U.S. Army an up-close look at technology being built in Orlando that could help soldiers, workers and perhaps disabled people a chance to walk easier. A three-day summit featured demos by companies working on exoskeleton technology, which Lockheed has been developing at its Missions and Fire Control facility near International Drive. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Tech scene throughout South Florida is building momentum

Florida CEOs were asked: Miami has been attempting to upgrade its economy and put more resources into high-end professional services and tech. How do you see this transformation progressing? More from the Miami Herald.

‘Black box’ flight-recorder manufacturer L3 leaving Sarasota after nearly 60 years

L3 Aviation Products and its staff of about 140 are leaving Sarasota. Most employees — engineering, administration and quality-control staff — will be within commuting distance to L3′s new office in downtown St. Petersburg, Alan Crawford, president of L3 commercial aviation, said Thursday. But the company’s 30-person manufacturing operation will be consolidated in Michigan. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and the Tampa Bay Times.

Business Profile
Ten years after Great Recession, Cape Coral flooring company is thriving

Timing can be everything when it comes to building a small business. When Jeff Shawver opened his flooring company in Cape Coral 10 years ago, his timing couldn’t have been worse. Somehow, Shawver came out of it and today he’s the proud owner of a thriving business. His store Direct Flooring celebrated its 10th anniversary this summer.

» More from the Fort Myers News-Press.

Florida 500
Jack Payne

As head of UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), Jack Payne manages a federal-state-county partnership dedicated to teaching and research related to agriculture, human and natural resources.