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Tuesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Visit Florida launches new eco-friendly travel hub
Eco-tourism is a big business and now visitors to Florida can more easily find information about environmentally friendly attractions, activities, dining, transportation, lodging and how to practice 'voluntourism' while in Florida. Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced the launch of a new eco-friendly travel hub on visitflorida.com. This section of the website features tips and resources for green, sustainable travel throughout the state. Read the announcement here and read more from Sarasota Magazine.
Jacksonville could pony up $30 million in incentives to lure 500 new jobs downtown
An unnamed company is considering opening a new corporate headquarters in downtown Jacksonville that would result in 500 new jobs, according to a proposed deal with City Hall and the state that would award the company up to $6.5 million in grants and $23.5 million in property tax rebates. More from the Florida Times-Union.
8 great independent book stores in Tampa Bay
A decade ago, people were writing obituaries for independent bookstores. Hit by the one-two punch of chain bookstores and digital bookselling, their numbers were sinking all over the country. If Borders and Barnes & Noble didn’t wipe out the indies, the thinking went, e-books and Amazon would. The reports of their death, as Mark Twain once said about his own premature obit, were greatly exaggerated. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Hurricane season will soon enter peak period: Latest forecast released
The peak period for hurricane season will get off to a quiet start this month, with below-average storm activity expected over the next two weeks, according to a forecast released Monday. Colorado State University said conditions in the Atlantic won’t be favorable for tropical storms or hurricanes from Monday through Aug. 18, with various factors coming together to suppress their formation. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Peace River water authority extending pipelines and raising rates
An agency that provides drinking water to Sarasota, Charlotte and Desoto counties and the city of North Port is proceeding with plans to extend its network of pipelines and construct a third reservoir to expand its supply. The Peace River Manasota Water Supply Authority recently finalized a $61.9 million budget for the fiscal year that starts Oct. 1, up from $59.6 million. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Profile
At 21, Sarasota County native opens boba tea lounge
As a student at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Charisma Davis couldn’t get enough of boba tea. It got to the point where she and her friends taught themselves how to make it at home. Eventually, she started making it and charging people for it — more or less running a small business out of her Tampa apartment. Davis, who has always looked for ways to challenge herself, saw an opportunity to start a business in her hometown of Sarasota.
» More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Entertainment Trends
Disney World, Universal expansions could be good for SeaWorld, too, CEO says
Later this month, Walt Disney World’s version of Star Wars will debut at Hollywood Studios, not far from SeaWorld Orlando, which is rebuilding its attendance after years of struggle. SeaWorld CEO Gus Antorcha, who said Tuesday that SeaWorld is growing in attendance and financials for the sixth straight quarter, weighed in with his investors on the Star Wars effect. Universal announced last week it is moving forward on what will likely be a multi-billion dollar investment to build a theme park resort near the Orange County Convention Center.
» Read more from the Orlando Sentinel.
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