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Wednesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Thousands could have paychecks cut under Florida House plan
Tens of thousands of Floridians, from baseball players to airport workers, could eventually see their paychecks slashed under a bill advancing through the state Legislature. HB 917 would prohibit local “living wage” ordinances like the ones passed by St. Petersburg and Miami-Dade County, and it would allow Major League Baseball to pay minor league players less than the minimum wage. The bill has the backing of powerful business groups. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Florida Israel Business Accelerator creates jobs, opportunity through tech startups
Tampa is becoming a hot market for tech startups, and one local nonprofit is eyeing companies in Israel to help solve problems businesses in Florida and beyond may be facing. The nonprofit Florida Israel Business Accelerator, or FIBA, was launched in 2016 by the Tampa Jewish Community Centers & Federation, and leaders say it's been a success ever since. More from WFTS.
Visit Jacksonville ‘flips’ the tourism script with new marketing campaign
Visit Jacksonville unveiled a new marketing campaign April 13 designed to position the city as a decidedly different take on the Sunshine State. Dubbing Duval “the Flip Side of Florida,” Visit Jacksonville President and CEO Michael Corrigan said the campaign is months in the making and will likely be in place for three or more years. “Jacksonville is like no other place in Florida,” Corrigan said. More from the Jacksonville Daily Record.
Consulates of Paraguay, Guatemala, Mexico move to Coral Gables
Since its founding almost a century ago, Coral Gables has been known for its international appeal. Today, the city is the home of thriving consular operations with 23 consulates and foreign government offices making Coral Gables its home, Mayor Vince Lago told Miami Today. “Consulates help us attract businesses and executives to the city,” he said. More from Miami Today.
Seminole County's proposed indoor sports facility to generate $1.4 billion in net new spending
Seminole County's plans for a future indoor sports facility have became a little clearer, thanks to a new study shared with county leaders last week. The study, conducted by real estate advisory firm Hunden Strategic Partners in Chicago, provided more insight into where Seminole County could build the facility, how much it would cost, how many events it may be able to host and more. More from the Orlando Business Journal.
Profile
Family business executive navigates major career change
Kelly Hendry always thought one of her three younger brothers would wind up running the family business, Hendry Marine Industries Inc., but now she finds herself at the top of the company’s organizational chart. Despite a shortage of skilled labor, Hendry Marine Industries had its best year ever, revenue-wise, in 2022, bringing in $80 million, and Kelly Hendry expects 2023’s sales to be on par with that number.
» More from the Business Observer.
Tech Trends
Smart cane
Bay County high school students Henry Jiang and Walker Verenakis have created a prototype aid for the visually impaired. Both seniors at North Bay Haven Charter Academy in Panama City, the two have invented a digital ultrasound walking cane. The device includes five ultrasonic sensor rays that point in different directions to sense objects nearby or far away. The user is alerted through sensors and motors that detect objects and send strong or weak vibrations to the hand depending on the object's proximity.
» Read more from Florida Trend.
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