Florida’s avocado industry faces renewed threat
Florida avocados, a signature staple in kitchens, a favored fruit tree in landscapes and a source of pride for the state’s growers, are facing a renewed threat from avocado sunblotch viroid (ASBVd). For consumers, this could mean fewer locally grown avocados in stores and potentially higher prices, while for growers, it represents another challenge on top of existing threats like laurel wilt disease and hurricanes. More from Lake Okeechobee News.
CarMax for yachts? Hot operator in luxury yacht sales says Jupiter is where to be
One of the largest used boat buyers in the nation, a business whose founder got his start as a 10-year-old assisting his dad in finding and buying used boats, is expanding its Jupiter footprint. Off the Hook Yachts runs like CarMax — a first-of-its-kind operation in the yacht business, its founder likes to boast. Off the Hook buys used boats — giving sellers cash up front — then fixes up the vessels and lists them online to sell. More from the Palm Beach Post.
Lupin to invest $250 million in new U.S. pharma plant in Coral Springs
Drug maker Lupin Ltd on Wednesday announced plans to establish a state-of-the-art pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Coral Springs, Florida, aimed at enhancing U.S.-based production of critical respiratory medicines. The facility represents a strategic step to strengthen medicine security and support the health of Florida families and the broader U.S. population. More from CNBC and Business Standard.
St. Petersburg finalizes disaster recovery plan
A $160 million disaster recovery plan will begin benefiting some St. Petersburg residents in November, despite the ongoing government shutdown affecting other federally funded initiatives. City Council members unanimously accepted the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant and have already appropriated $13 million. They will further discuss parameters for residential programs at a committee meeting Thursday. More from the Catalyst.
Developer envisions a ‘Downtown West’ near mall in Broward County
Joseph Kavana describes his sprawling Metropica megaproject in Sunrise as a dream community, a mini-city where you can find everything you need within walking distance. But that mini-city won’t be built in a day, says Kavana, the driving force behind Metropica, a mixed-use project expected to give suburban Sunrise a more cosmopolitan flavor along with 3,000 new apartments and condos, four office towers, two hotels, upscale restaurants and boutique shops. More from the Miami Herald.
Ready to respond
As Florida enters the height of hurricane season, one thing is certain. Preparation is everything. For a telecommunications leader like Comcast, preparation doesn’t begin with the first warning, it’s a year-round mission rooted in strategy, service and technology. Staying connected goes beyond convenience. It keeps lines of communication open and enables safety and recovery for impacted communities. From advanced technology to boots-on-the-ground crews, Comcast is working to ensure Floridians can rely on their Xfinity and Comcast Business services during storm season. [Sponsored report]
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Delray Medical Center doctor honored as one of nation's best surgeons
Robotic surgeries, saving limbs and developing new surgical techniques are just part of the job for Dr. Joseph Ricotta. This year, Newsweek magazine named the Delray Beach doctor among the nation's top vascular surgeons — more precisely he was named No. 2 in the U.S. It’s hardly his first accolade, but Ricotta says that’s not how he measures success.
» More from the Palm Beach Post.
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Chartering success
In 2011, Tyler Holt was a 20-year-old high school graduate looking for a job, any job that would give him a chance. After too many rejections to count, he landed an $8-an-hour position cold calling for a private jet brokerage. Four years later, he launched his own company in the space: AvSKY. Now, a decade in, Holt leads a 13-person team out of the Sarasota area, has built a profitable multimillion- dollar business and has expanded AvSKY into private jet charters and aviation parts.
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