Florida still leads the way, but global spaceports could soon top 100
With Florida leading the world in launches again in 2025 and with no signs of slowing down, the state is ground zero for challenges for a growing industry as other spaceport players across the U.S. and world start to build momentum. The Federal Aviation Administration has 14 licensed spaceports in the U.S., but there are another 16 locations that have either already applied for a license or have announced intentions to do so. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
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» Tax breaks aim to launch more aerospace jobs on Florida’s Space Coast
Column: Who protects Florida’s wetlands when federal protections fade?
Wetlands are Florida’s hardest-working ecosystems. From the Everglades to the floodplains of the Apalachicola River, the 10 million remaining acres of Florida wetlands shape life across our state by cleaning water, reducing flooding and serving as habitat for thousands of species of plants and animals, including some of our most iconic and beloved wildlife. Robust wetland and stream protections are important nationwide, but perhaps nowhere more so than in Florida, where our climate, soils, ecosystems and cultures are so defined by — and interwoven with — the storage and flow of water. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida braces for a historic generational wealth transfer
Florida is poised to experience one of the largest intergenerational wealth transfers in U.S. history. Over the next two decades, trillions of dollars in assets are expected to shift from aging baby boomers to heirs, charities and institutions. The state’s lack of income, estate and inheritance taxes, combined with strong homestead protections, makes Florida a particularly attractive destination for high-net-worth retirees, ensuring it will play an outsized role in this capital migration. [Source: Capital Analytics]
Florida lawmakers OK minimum wage changes
On Wednesday, a new bill aiming to change minimum wage requirements in Florida got approved by its first committee, putting it one step closer to becoming law. The bill — HB 221 — was filed late last year by state Rep. Ryan Chamberlin (R-Belleview), who also backed similar legislation during the previous session. While the bill doesn’t eliminate the minimum wage as a whole, it does lay out some exceptions for workers. More from Click Orlando and WFSU.
AIDS health group challenges Florida’s planned medication cuts
A major HIV/AIDS health care organization is trying to stop Florida’s planned cuts to the state AIDS Drug Assistance Program, accusing the state of creating a rule without going through the required process. The AIDS Healthcare Foundation filed a petition Tuesday in the Division of Administrative Hearings, challenging the state’s planned cuts as an invalid and unenforceable act. Florida’s cuts could leave about 10,000 people, or more by some advocates’ estimate, without affordable access to life-saving HIV/AIDS medication. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Cruise industry giant makes $100M strategic bet on Florida with massive Miami headquarters
One cruise and travel group is charging full speed ahead in the U.S. market, unveiling a $100 million headquarters in Miami as it expands operations and bets big on Florida’s economy. MSC Group held its ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new North American Cruise Division headquarters in downtown Miami on Monday, reinforcing a long-term commitment to business-friendly Florida.
› Tampa International Airport opens nearly $6M call for artists
Tampa International Airport will invest nearly $6M in new public art as part of its ongoing terminal expansion, issuing a Call for Artists tied to construction already underway. The Airport will begin accepting submissions on Feb. 5 for eight commissioned installations across its facilities. The commissions are part of the Airport’s Public Art Program, which has grown alongside Tampa’s broader infrastructure investment.
› Jacksonville logistics firm suspends operations after lender withholds working capital
After nine years operating out of Jacksonville, AGX Freight, a logistics, transportation and supply chains solutions provider is shutting down. The company, with agents working across the country, was caught in the ripple effects of a dispute between a related company and senior secured lender. AGX announced Tuesday that the debacle forced the company to indefinitely suspend operations, as the financier holding its purse strings withheld funds.
› D-Wave’s HQ move to Boca Raton puts South Florida firmly on the quantum map
On a campus that once helped give rise to the personal computer, a very different kind of machine is getting ready to arrive. This week, D-Wave Quantum announced it will move its corporate headquarters from Palo Alto to Boca Raton and build a major U.S. research and development hub at the Boca Raton Innovation Center. At the same time, Florida Atlantic University signed a $20 million agreement to purchase and install one of D-Wave’s Advantage2 annealing quantum computers on its campus.
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› Florida lawmakers develop new partnership with Israel
Florida lawmakers have developed a new partnership with Israel. The Florida-Israel Policy & Exchange Initiative will focus on strengthening the relationship between the two states. The initiative will focus on shared leadership, economic policy and interfaith relations to address antisemitism.
› Mount Dora Arts Festival returns this weekend with 300 artists
Tens of thousands of art lovers will flock to Mount Dora this weekend as an annual tradition returns to the streets of the city’s historic downtown. The 51st Mount Dora Arts Festival brings 300 artists to Lake County for the free outdoor event Jan. 31-Feb. 1. Visitors can browse a wide selection of glass art, jewelry, paintings, photography, sculpture, wood and more. As a festival with a strong national reputation, the festival had a lot of interest from artists far and wide this year.
› As Tampa Bay’s drought continues, officials limit watering to one day a week
Southwest Florida water management officials approved a water shortage order that will limit lawn watering to one day a week beginning in February. The order comes as Tampa Bay, and Florida, continues to wither under drought conditions. Across the region, the drought ranges from moderate to severe, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
› Venezuela upheaval reverberates in Doral
Doral, which is home to the largest Venezuelan community in the nation, has experienced a slight shift in its residential real estate market following recent developments in Venezuela. With residences having long sold heavily to Venezuelans, more than 40% of the city’s residents are of Venezuelan origin.