SHARE:
Thursday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Moving to Florida could save you on taxes — but cost more overall
Ample job opportunities — evidenced by one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation — and the growth of remote work have made it possible for many Americans to move to the Sunshine State. Many have also been drawn there because it's one of nine states with no state income tax, which could potentially save them thousands of dollars per year. More from the Business Observer.
Rayonier Advanced Materials defies market
In an all-around awful year for the markets, two of the 20 public companies headquartered in the Jacksonville area managed to finish the year ahead, including one that has piled up losses in recent years. Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc., or RYAM, reached a 52-week high on the last trading day of 2022 and finished the year 68% higher. RYAM’s stock rose despite three straight years of losses from continuing operations, additional losses in the first two quarters of 2022, and two CEO changes in the first half of the year. More from the Jacksonville Daily Record.
OUC seeks storage for solar power. What about molten salt?
With its plan for phasing out climate-changing pollution, Orlando’s electric utility faces a conundrum: how to provide the city with solar energy after the sun goes down. Today, Orlando Utilities Commission and Malta Inc. of Cambridge, Mass., will announce their budding collaboration for a system that would perform as a massive battery. Technically, it would not resemble those of phones or electric cars and instead would rely on molten salt to store energy gained from sunlight for consumption at night. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Florida taco chain teams up with wildlife officials to help feed manatees. Here’s how to help
A taco chain based in Florida is helping feed the manatees, teaming up with wildlife officials. Capital Tacos, originally from Tampa, will be providing lettuce to manatees during this winter for every salad purchased at its locations. While 2022 did not prove to be as deadly for Florida’s manatees as 2021, researchers said the animals are still in trouble, especially in the Indian River Lagoon. Biologists said they expect the number to grow this winter, specifically here in Central Florida. More from Click Orlando.
Oregon-based high-tech company seeks county, city tax breaks to expand into Palm Bay
An Oregon-based high-tech company is looking to expand its operations to Palm Bay, and is seeking property tax breaks from Brevard County and the city of Palm Bay as an incentive to locate there. Rogue Valley Microdevices Inc. of Medford, Oregon, is working with the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast on its proposed expansion. More from Florida Today.
Profile
His Tampa air ambulance business takes him around the world, again and again
Two days after Christmas, Mike Honeycutt was headed to his Westshore offices when he got the call: An American tourist had a heart attack in Jamaica and needed to get home. So Honeycutt, CEO of the air ambulance and medical evacuation company Jet ICU and a pilot himself, flew with his medical team to bring the man back — all in all, a fairly typical Tuesday.
» More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Entertainment
Kennedy Space Center: Fly With an Astronaut tour returns
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is bringing back its Fly With an Astronaut special-interest tour later this month. The first featured NASA veterans will be Mark Lee and Brian Duffy. The experience, which runs from 9:15 a.m. to about 2:15 p.m. each day, includes a catered lunch at the visitor complex, where the guest speakers/astronauts talk about their experiences, followed by a Q&A session.
» Read more from the Orlando Sentinel.
In case you missed it:
