Florida’s minimum wage hits $14 an hour, but many still struggle
Minimum-wage earners in Florida will take home bigger paychecks starting today. But whether that bump will make much of a difference to those earning it remains to be seen. Entry-level workers in some of Florida’s highest-employment occupations — retail employees, customer-service agents, fast-food workers and cashiers will benefit most from this pay increase. More from the Miami Herald and Click Orlando.
USF names sole finalist in presidential search
The University of South Florida’s presidential search is nearing its final stages. USF announced on Tuesday that their presidential search committee selected Moez Limayem, the University of North Florida’s current president, as the sole finalist for the position. Limayem has served as UNF’s president since 2022, and was the dean of USF’s Muma College of Business for 10 years before that. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Brightline to expand Boca Raton service, touts peak and off-peak pricing
Brightline, the higher-speed railroad connecting Miami and Orlando, is more than doubling its departures at Boca Raton and plans to offer prices pegged to “off-peak” and “peak” travel times effective Oct. 6. Boca Raton boasts one of South Florida’s loftier median household incomes at more than $102,000, according to 2023 data. The city appears to have emerged as a significant source of train ridership for both Brightline and Tri-Rail. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Bradenton Area EDC creates task force, seeks new contract with Manatee County
The Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp., some two weeks after Manatee County commissioners essentially defunded 26% of its annual budget, now seeks to get the elected officials to change their minds. The county and the EDC have different opinions on the organization's return on investment metrics. More from the Business Observer.
Flexjet signs deal to buy 300 aircraft Otto Aerospace plans to build in Jacksonville
Otto Aerospace, the company that plans to build its jet factory in Jacksonville, announced Sept. 29 that aviation company Flexjet will be the launch customer for its Phantom 3500 business aircraft. In a Sept. 29 news release, Otto announced that Flexjet had placed an order for 300 of the corporate jets it plans to manufacture at Cecil Airport. More from the Jacksonville Daily Record.
Arts Business
Arte Museum, an immersive art experience, to open in Orlando’s ICON Park
Arte Museum, an immersive art experience that just opened a location in New York City’s iconic Chelsea Piers, is setting its sights on Orlando’s ICON Park for its next museum. Korean company d’strict opened the first Arte Museum location in South Korea in 2020 and quickly expanded across Asia before entering the U.S. market via Las Vegas in 2023. The attraction just opened its New York location this September, and also operates locations in South Korea, China, Hong Kong and Dubai.
» More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Tech Trends
headline
Getting home for the weekend might be easier with Ribit, a community ride-sharing platform created by two UF engineering students. Mason Downes and Liliana Lusvardi have been developing this app for the past six months. Ribit will focus on ride sharing within Florida. The app matches student drivers and passengers per route.
» Read more from WUFT.