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Thursday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
› Astra Space back in business with Alaska launch, 3 Canaveral missions on tap
Cheers rose as Astra Space’s rocket managed to do Tuesday from Alaska what it could not in a failure from the Space Coast last month. The Alameda, California-based company’s Rocket 3.3 lifted off on time from its Kodiak, Alaska spaceport at 12:22 p.m. EDT, and it looked just as good as it did when it took off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Feb. 12. That February launch, though, went awry after problems with the fairing deployment that sent the second stage tumbling end-over-end, ultimately leading to a mission failure and loss of the four small satellites it was trying to put into orbit for NASA.
› IQ Fiber begins $8.4 million underground installation in San Marco
IQ Fiber, a Jacksonville-owned residential fiber-optic service provider, began installing underground conduit and fiber-optic cable in San Marco on March 15. On March 1, the company announced plans to install and service homes in Atlantic Beach. Construction costs for the San Marco project are set at $8.4 million.
› Tampa Bay Area firms make list of Southeast’s fastest-growing companies
PainTEQ, a Tampa company that specializes in innovative medical devices that treat sacroiliac joint dysfunction, and Byte Federal, a Venice-based financial services firm, have been named to Inc. magazine’s rankings of the 173 fastest-growing businesses in the Southeast. With 1,590% growth between 2018 and 2020, Byte Federal lands at No. 7 on the list. Right behind it, at No. 8, is PainTEQ, which posted 1,538% growth from 2018 to 2020. Clearwater-based retailer Bearbottom Clothing occupies the No. 11 spot on the list.
› Hotel of South Beach renamed. Famed News Café reopening there
The Hotel of South Beach is getting a new name: Goldman Properties will rename the hotel The Tony Hotel South Beach after the company’s founder, the renowned South Beach developer Tony Goldman in honor of the 10th anniversary of his death. The company also said the popular News Café will reopen in May after a 17-month hiatus. It is located on the ground floor of The Tony Hotel South Beach on Ocean Drive.
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