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Thursday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Treatments for citrus greening providing hope for the orange industry as production declines
Citrus greening, a disease with no cure, has torn through citrus groves in Florida and around the world. The disease is spread through the Asian citrus psyllid, which inserts a bacteria into the tree, slowly killing it. While a cure for the disease may still be several years off, two new treatments, using two different delivery methods, are now giving growers more options to help defend their groves from the worst of the disease. More from Modern Farmer and WTVT.
Tamarac's incentive packages an example of how towns can compete
Tamarac is a city of about 66,000 residents in Broward County. It’s a bedroom community that sits in the shadows of its larger neighbors, Fort Lauderdale and nearby Miami. But its size does not mean it lacks ambition. The city is working on attracting developers that, it hopes, will transform its commercial corridors and provide residents with options to eat and shop without leaving town — and, in the process, add to its own coffers. More from the Business Observer.
Defense company 'Project Topaz' approved for $1.26 million from Brevard County for 300 jobs
An economic-incentive grant for a project that could bring hundreds of jobs and big capital investments to Titusville was approved to move forward this week. Brevard County Commissioners voted Tuesday to approve incentive money for 'Project Topaz', an undisclosed defense contractor promising hundreds of jobs for the north end of the county. The company will be awarded $1.26 million for 300 jobs created after the Board voted 4-1 to approve it Tuesday. More from Florida Today.
Sarasota, Manatee leaders team up to attract one of professional golf's signature tournaments
Professional golf’s biggest stars could return to Sarasota-Manatee in less than 10 years for one of the sport’s four most prestigious events. Sarasota County Commissioners on Tuesday voted to direct county staffers to return on Sept. 26 with funding options for a $3 million sponsorship of The PGA Championship. If the location were to be selected, the event would be played at The Concession Golf Club in Lakewood Ranch in May 2031 or 2033. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Lynx’s 50-year use of diesel buses is nearing an end
Not so long ago, Lynx city buses, like most across the nation, would trail flags of black diesel exhaust from stop to stop along routes in Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties. The pollution was stinky, eye-burning and hazardous to the health of riders and as well as anyone else swaddled in the airborne stew of toxic chemicals. The end of that era is near. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Eventt
What's the 411? Tampa snags Florida's first 1990s convention.
The Tampa Convention Center will hold Florida's first 90s Con, a 1990s-themed event hosting stars from the "90210" TV series and other films and shows from the decade. 90s Con will run Friday to Sunday, Sept. 15-17. City officials say an estimated 15,000 people are expected to attend each day of the three-day event.
» More from the Business Observer.
Energy Trends
Green machine
By this time next year, thousands of North Florida homes will be powered by natural gas drawn from cow manure, an emerging source of clean, renewable energy. FPU Renewables is investing $22 million to build a dairy manure renewable natural gas (RNG) facility at Full Circle Dairy in Madison County, about 55 miles east of Tallahassee. Methane comprises nearly two-thirds of cow manure’s content.
» Read more from Florida Trend.
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