October revenue exceeds expectations
Bolstered in part by an increase in last-minute hurricane supply purchases, the state’s general revenue in October topped expectations by 4.9 percent. A report posted online Wednesday by the Florida Legislature’s Office of Economic & Demographic Research showed Florida had net general revenue during the month of nearly $3.45 billion, which was about $161.8 million more than anticipated when a panel of economists revised projections in August. More from the News Service of Florida.
Coworking giant to open 33 new locations in Florida
International Workplace Group (IWG) will open 33 new coworking locations throughout Florida. Ranging in size between 6,000 and 155,000 square feet, the future IWG offices will open between now and the first quarter of 2027, according to the Swiss-based international coworking company. More from the South Florida Business Journal.
Boeing announces layoffs on Space Coast as concerns grow about company's future
Boeing is slashing jobs on the Space Coast. The aerospace company just announced layoffs at their Titusville office and at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) starting in January. Twenty-six people are being let go at KSC, and another 20 jobs are on the chopping block in Titusville, which is home to the Boeing Starliner capsule. Space experts are worried this is just the beginning of major cuts, and the entire space program could be in jeopardy. More from WOFL.
Rainbow Groves project moves forward in St. Lucie despite complaints from city, residents
An early step in potentially building a controversial industrial project gained unanimous approval from the St. Lucie County Commission. Rainbow Groves, planned for 245 acres just west of Port St. Lucie city limits in unincorporated St. Lucie County, is a planned industrial and commercial redevelopment of agricultural land long owned by one of the counties most established citrus farming families. More from TC Palm.
USF cybersecurity program launches $240K incubator
The Florida Center for Cybersecurity at the University of South Florida, known as Cyber Florida at USF, recently announced a seed fund program for Florida-based researchers and emerging entrepreneurs in cybersecurity. The program, PhaseZero: Innovation Incubator, is modeled after the Small Business Administration’s SBIR/STTR Phase I programs and will award up to $60,000 each to up to four emerging Florida companies. More from the Business Observer.
Florida History
Burger King looked like that? See photos of Miami fast-food chain through the years
Burger King was born as Insta-Burger King in Jacksonville in 1953 before new owners moved the company to Miami and opened the first Burger King location. The company’s logo was red and white then, and the restaurant featured red arches on the roof, an architectural flourish that would stretch through the 1950s and ‘60s.
» More from the Miami Herald.
Agriculture
Hurricanes left Tampa Bay farms in bad shape. What’s next for the industry?
Hurricane season has ended, but farmers are still picking up the pieces and trying to assess what the future might hold. Many farmers say they are rebuilding and replanting: Markets are now looking fuller, and shelves are increasingly stocked with produce. But recovering from the storm’s most severe economic repercussions could take much longer.
» Read more from the Tampa Bay Times.