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Wednesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Mixed forecast for Florida citrus
Grapefruit continues to outperform its early-season forecast, while the outlook for Florida’s orange crop dropped, according to an update on the 2019-2020 growing season released Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Florida remains the top grower of oranges in the nation, trailed by California, which is projected to fill 49 million boxes this season. More from WJXT and Fruitnet.
AutoNation focuses on used cars as new cars are priced out of reach
As new car prices increase faster than consumers’ paychecks, the nation’s auto dealers are finding they can make more money focusing on used car sales. Fort Lauderdale-based AutoNation announced Tuesday that it would continue to shift its corporate strategy toward selling, financing and servicing used cars as new-car sales continue to decline. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Hostel brand Selina will open two locations in Miami. More will come.
The hostel brand Selina instilled an eat-pray-love mentality in its locations in Latin America. Now, the brand is bringing the same vibe to Miami. Selina, founded in Panama, has acquired two hotels in Miami, said Selina President Yoav Gery. The company buys existing hotels and updates them, including yoga and meditation space as well as co-working facilities. More from the Miami Herald.
FBI: Romance scammers swindle vulnerable Florida residents out of millions
A devastating internet crime is on the rise in Florida, and it already has claimed close to 1,200 victims who have lost more than $20 million — $1.2 million in Sarasota County. And it’s grossly under-reported. Sarasota County is a prime target because of its wealth and residents whose median age is 56.5. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Tech Data shareholders approve $6 billion sale to Apollo Global Management
Tech Data shareholders on Wednesday voted to sell the company to Apollo Global Management for $6 billion. “When do we get the money?” stockholder Phyllis Minton asked at the close of the meeting. The answer is not right away, as the merger is expected to close in the first half of this year. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Entertainment Trends
Latin Queens series seeks Miami-Dade film funds
A reality television production focusing on a new women’s Latin pop “supergroup” that will air on Facebook’s on-demand streaming service has applied for Miami-Dade tax credits to film here and hire locally. Los Angeles-based production company Entertainment One has applied for $50,000 through the county’s TV, Film and Entertainment Production Incentives Program for “Latin Queens,” a new documentary series starring entertainment stars Natti Natasha, Thalía and Lali.
» More from Miami Today.
Business Profile
Florida's water conservation company EcoSystems goes with the flow
Richard and Lawrence Lamondin own Miami-based EcoSystems, which designs and implements water-saving strategies for hotels and multifamily housing properties nationwide. They originally envisioned the company as an environmental consultancy but narrowed their focus to water conservation, helping clients cut down on water bills — and conserve water in the process — with low-flow toilets and other green changes.
» Read more from Florida Trend.
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