Florida marine industry pressured by skilled labor shortage, housing costs
In Florida’s booming marine industry, the demand for skilled workers is outpacing the supply. That’s a problem for the $18.5 billion sector. Marine businesses – which span everything from manufacturing to servicing and yacht building – are struggling to find and retain qualified employees as the industry grows and older, experienced workers begin to retire. Companies are turning to recruiters, high school apprentices and second-chance hires to fill the gaps. More from the South Florida Business Journal.
Hurricane forecasters eyeing potential tropical development in Caribbean
A stretch of the Caribbean Sea that typically serves as the main zone of development for tropical systems that launch into the Gulf of Mexico during the latter half of hurricane season has been eerily quiet this year. That may change over the next couple weeks, according to federal forecasters. Long and medium-range track models show a potential system will reach the middle of the Caribbean by the middle of next week. It’s too early to say if Florida is at risk. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
FAU-Broward Health medical partnership implodes, leaves students scrambling
A highly touted partnership between Broward Health and Florida Atlantic University to collaborate for clinical training and research has ended abruptly, as has the hands-on experience medical students were getting at Broward County hospitals. Only two years into the 30-year partnership, the collaboration between the university and the health system fell apart because of proposed changes to the original agreement. The effect is that as many as 200 medical and nursing students are scrambling to find clinical experience at other local hospitals. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Merger ahead for CSX? ‘You’ve got to wait for the right timing,’ new CEO says
When CSX Corp. announced a sudden change in its CEO position Sept. 29, speculation began that the Jacksonville-based railroad company might be seeking a merger. So when CSX officials, including new CEO Steve Angel, held their quarterly conference call with analysts Oct. 16, the first question was about the possibility of a merger. “The way these things work, these strategic opportunities, you’ve got to wait for the right timing. You’ve got to wait for when the conditions are right,” Angel said. More from the Jacksonville Daily Record.
Miami-Dade Innovation Authority launches a $300,000 challenge to startups
The Miami-Dade Innovation Authority is once again asking technology startups to help the county attack some of its most pressing issues that impact quality of life. Today’s challenge: to help shape the future of emergency management. The MDIA has just announced the launch of its seventh Public Innovation Challenge, an initiative that invests in and supports early-to-growth stage companies to pilot and validate their technology in collaboration with local government. More from Refresh Miami.
Business Beat - Week of October 17th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Business Profile
Jacksonville’s zestiest business grows retail footprint
Jacksonville’s quirkiest, most fermentation-obsessed destination is getting even bigger. The Pickle Factory, a specialty shop and community hub on St. Augustine Road, recently unveiled a 1,500-square-foot expansion. The brick-and-mortar destination for Olive My Pickle, a Jacksonville-based fermented foods brand founded by Charlotte and Shai Tzabari. Before opening the store in 2024, Olive My Pickle sold its products through farmers’ markets and via e-commerce.
» Read more from the Florida Times-Union.