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Wednesday's Afternoon Update
Florida's quote of the day
Florida ranks near top of all states in return on investment
With Tax Day approaching, WalletHub today released its latest analysis of the U.S. tax landscape, an in-depth look at the states with the Best & Worst Taxpayer Return on Investment in 2019. WalletHub used 30 metrics to compare the quality and efficiency of state-government services across five categories — Education, Health, Safety, Economy, and Infrastructure & Pollution. See the announcement here and read more from WalletHub and the South Florida Business Journal.
Miami-Dade sets jobs records galore
As Florida’s jobless rate rose in February for the second straight month, Miami-Dade shrank unemployment to its lowest rate ever with total persons on the job an all-time high, chalking up multiple records. Miami-Dade unemployment fell to 3.2% from 3.9% in January, US Bureau of Labor Statistics figures show. More from Miami Today.
Mote racing to turn back threat to Florida’s coral reefs
Mote Marine Laboratory scientists are accelerating their efforts to help Florida’s coral reefs combat a rapidly spreading disease outbreak that experts say puts the natural resources at risk of functional extinction. Stony coral tissue loss disease plagues nearly half the coral species on the Florida Reef Tract, with mortality rates frequently exceeding 80 percent, in an outbreak that stretches from Martin County to Key West. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Spring training spurs $80 million for the Southwest Florida economy
Another spring training season has come and gone as the Minnesota Twins, the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays are packing up their gear and heading back home. It is a grand slam for local economies. While baseball maybe this couple’s highlight to owning a timeshare in Lehigh Acres, it is not all they do when they are visiting. More from WINK News.
St. Petersburg Mini Doughnut Factory closes for good, as legal battle drags
After reopening just two months ago, the Mini Doughnut Factory on 4th Street N is closed again. This time, for good. The shop had been temporarily shut down in late December, when an ongoing legal feud between investor Lee Kearney and founders Patrick and Zezura Ruddell hit an all-time low. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Sports Business
NBA Experience at Disney Springs
The highly anticipated NBA Experience at Disney Springs at Florida's Walt Disney World Resort will officially open August 12, 2019. The announcement was made at the Amway Center in Orlando during Monday night's Orlando Magic versus Philadelphia 76ers game and featured a surprise on-court appearance by Mickey Mouse.
» More from Travel Pulse.
Business Profile
Certified Collectibles Group
Collectibles spell big business for a Southwest Florida company that grades coins, comic books and more. Mark Salzberg, chairman of Certified Collectibles Group, says the group's companies provide comfort and security to collectors.
» Read more from the Business Observer.
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