SHARE:
Wednesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
With nation watching, NASA and SpaceX prepare to make history with first astronaut launch in 9 years
SpaceX's Wednesday launch will be the first time since 2011 that astronauts lift off from American soil on American-made rockets and spacecraft. But the flight’s significance goes beyond patriotic notions, with NASA officials saying that the long-anticipated launch could usher in a new era of human spaceflight — one that is reliant on private companies rather than the government. More from NBC News, the Orlando Sentinel, and the AP.
Florida Trend Exclusive
Black Angels Miami helps African-Americans become angel investors
Investors who fund early-stage startups are usually white and male — as are the startups’ founders — but a new investment group, Black Angels Miami, aims to diversify the mix by helping African-Americans and other minorities become angel investors. More from Florida Trend.
Florida has 15,598 legal cannabis industry jobs, study finds
The state of Florida has 15,598 legal cannabis industry jobs, according to a study by Leafly, a website that provides information about marijuana and connects licensed retailers to consumers. The state has estimated annual cannabis product sales of $800 million and ranks fifth in the nation in terms of legal marijuana jobs , the report states. Nationwide, the $10.7 billion legal cannabis in More from the Center Square.
Miami-Dade resumes film permits with heavy demand
The Miami-Dade County Office of Film & Entertainment is starting to again issue film permits, but on a limited case-by-case basis. Strictly following the county’s guidelines and regulations to start transitioning to the “New Normal” and early phase of reopening, the approval process of obtaining a permit for location filming may take longer than usual, with possible shooting dates for mid-June. More from Miami Today.
City Hall to pay $9 million to struggling Jacksonville small businesses
The Jacksonville City Council approved Tuesday a financial relief package that will give $2,000 grants to 4,500 local small businesses, self-employed workers and sole proprietors. Businesses must employ fewer than 100 people and have lost as much as 25 percent of their revenue since February. The council also voted Tuesday to expand eligibility to sole proprietors or people who receive a 1099 tax form. More from the Florida Times-Union.
Business Profile
Glass company, despite pandemic, adds new location
MY Shower Door is expanding in Southwest Florida, opening a new frameless shower door showroom, its eighth location. MY Shower Door has 110 employees and did $17.8 million in revenue in 2019. The company has installed more than 75,000 frameless shower doors since 2003.
» More from the Business Observer.
Entertainment
Florida’s drive-in movies are a social distance gift
As the fight over face masks and freedom rages, some pillars of Americana light up when the sun goes down. They never knew we needed to touch so much. They were always fine with distance. Consider Florida’s drive-in movie theaters. There are seven left, relics lost to changing tastes and technology.
» Read more from the Tampa Bay Times.
In case you missed it:
