Community, business leaders discuss upcoming World Cup frenzy
With South Florida gearing up to host several games for the world’s largest sporting event, local community and business leaders came together to discuss the potential economic boon. Current estimates suggest more than a million people will flock to South Florida for the seven games Miami is scheduled to host, with some just looking to embrace the charged atmosphere with excited fans. Local leaders say the massive numbers of people visiting the area will have immediate benefits for businesses and put South Florida in the spotlight for long-lasting effects. More from WSVN.
Florida State Fair's urgency grows as ag industry battles obstacles
For the chairwoman of the Florida State Fair Authority, keeping the state fair alive year after year is not only about rides and fried foods, but the opportunity to showcase Florida's agriculture industry to the public. The agriculture industry faces myriad challenges, such as a sudden deep freeze that devastated crops days before the fair's opening day. More from the Business Observer.
Patients feel strain of Florida Blue fallout with Broward hospitals: ‘Just lunacy’
An ongoing contract dispute has left both of Broward County's public hospitals — and many affiliated doctors — out-of-network with one of the state’s largest health insurers, Florida Blue, formerly known as Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Florida. Families who have a health plan under Florida Blue or one of its affiliates have found themselves locked out of in-network care. More from the Miami Herald.
'A new day in east Gainesville' as city pursues $26M HUD grant
Gainesville city commissioners unanimously approved pursuing a federal grant of up to $26 million for redevelopment. The grant aims to revitalize the Lake Terrace Apartments and the surrounding East University Choice Neighborhood area. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is expected to award the competitive grant to three or four applicants nationwide. More from the Gainesville Sun.
St. Pete City Council approves deal to purchase CSX rail line for urban trail
The City of St. Petersburg will purchase a long-desired stretch of the CSX rail line with plans to convert it into an urban trail. The city will contribute $1 million toward the purchase price and pay up to $200,000 for appraisals, surveys and other costs. The remaining funding will come from Ferg’s Sports Bar & Grill owner Mark Ferguson and Ellison Development whose properties lie along the rail acquisition. More from the Tampa Bay Business Journal.
Business Beat - Week of February 20th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Out of the Box
A Central Florida foraging field trip yields massive wild yams
For those who thought that hunter-gatherers were lost to the pages of history, think again. They are still roaming and foraging if you know where to look. A small team of volunteers followed environmental activist Robin Greenfield to Oakland Nature Preserve recently to forage invasive wild yams. Rather than buying potatoes from the grocery store, these starchy roots are completely free and removing them is a benefit to the environment.
» Read more from the Orlando Sentinel.