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Thursday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Tourism hits record number in 2022
Bolstered by travelers from other states, Florida had a record 137.6 million visitors in 2022, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office said Wednesday. People from other states accounted for just under 93 percent of Florida’s tourists. The overall visitor total was 12.9 percent higher than in 2021 and 5 percent higher than in 2019, the last full year before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the state. More from the News Service of Florida.
Manatee County builder wows buyers with solar-powered community
A pipeline dream just five years ago, Hunters Point in Cortez, an Old Florida fishing village in west Manatee County, off Sarasota Bay, held a showcase in January to celebrate the achievement the community, from Pearl Homes, is on the verge of reaching. More than 100 people showed up to learn more about the project with an additional 40 tuning in over Zoom. Pearl Homes President and Founder Marshall Gobuty says the community of 86 solar-powered, net-positive homes will be the first LEED platinum LEED Zero community in the U.S when completed. More from the Business Observer.
Brightline sets target date for grand opening in Orlando
After about 10 years of anticipation, Brightline officials have set the second quarter of 2023 as their target date for the grand opening of their station at Orlando International Airport. Director of Public Affairs, Katie Mitzner, says more than 7 billion hours of construction so far have the project at about 90% complete. More from WESH.
Florida legislators approve $15 million in funding for New College
A joint legislative panel Wednesday approved steering $15 million to New College of Florida for expenses such as recruiting new faculty. The Joint Legislative Budget Commission, which is made up of House and Senate members, signed off on the money after Gov. Ron DeSantis announced it as a priority amid a broader effort to target “trendy ideology” on campuses. More from WUSF.
Cleaner fuels, electric power generate growing interest at Miami Boat Show
On display at the Miami International Boat Show this week are rows and rows of sleek and sexy gasoline-slurping vessels. And, in a much smaller but growing presence, there also are two visions for a more environmentally-friendly future for boating: electric boats and low-carbon sustainable marine fuel. The show’s main floor at the Miami Beach Convention Center features an entire room dedicated to a new class of fully electric boats, along with electric outboard motors and marina fast-charging stations. More from the Miami Herald.
End of an Era
After 84 years, a Jacksonville dining landmark famous for its fried chicken is set to close
For more than 80 years, Jacksonville diners have flocked to 4132 Atlantic Blvd. for classic chicken dinners. That will come to an end on Tuesday, Feb. 28. That’s when Beach Road Fish & Chicken Dinners will serve its last chicken dinner — at that location.
» More from the Florida Times-Union.
Sports Business
Tampa Bay’s Mike’s Weather Page to have NASCAR race car in Daytona
Among the bright race cars touting beer and snack companies, there will be an outlier Saturday at the Daytona International Speedway. The No. 4 car will be wrapped in blues and blacks, with a swirling hurricane engulfing its sides. On top of the massive storm will be the all-too-familiar red hurricane symbol pasted underneath the passenger and driver doors. The name of the vehicle is the Mike’s Weather Page Hurricane Awareness Machine. That’s right, NASCAR and weather are coming together. What could be more Florida?
» Read more from the Tampa Bay Times.
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