Florida Trend | Florida's Business Authority

Thursday's Afternoon Update

South Florida is bursting with startups. Problem is they aren’t growing

The annual Kauffman Foundation study released Thursday showed that the Miami-Fort Lauderdale metro area ranked near the bottom of the pack for the entrepreneurial growth of so-called scale-ups, or fast-growing companies. More from the Miami Herald.

Melbourne, Titusville CRAs under scrutiny over use of money for festivals

Community redevelopment agencies in Melbourne and Titusville are coming under scrutiny for the use of tax money to help pay special events like festivals and parades. Municipal officials believe that their use of the money for that purpose is perfectly legal. More from Florida Today.

Northeast Florida farmers stepping up to save water

Is there any resource more precious than water to a farmer? You’d be hard pressed to find one. Enhancing the ability to conserve the element is among top priorities for many Florida growers. This practice is much to the delight for stakeholders in the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD). More from Growing Produce.

Mario Andretti on Orlando expansion: 'I'm pinching myself'

It was Andretti Day, figuratively and literally on Tuesday. Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs proclaimed it so as Mario Andretti and his famed racing family gathered in Orlando for a grand-opening/VIP event for the Andretti Indoor Karting and Games establishment now open near International Drive. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Supervalu to acquire Associated Grocers of Florida

Supervalu, Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Associated Grocers of Florida, Inc. for approximately $180 million. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the year. More from Food Business News.

Leadership Program
FIU Center for Leadership delivers decade of 21st century training

florida High-performing organizations have adaptive and skilled leaders. The award-winning Center for Leadership at Florida International University delivers concrete toolkit growth and remarkable results for organizational leaders from across all industries — health care, banking and finance, technology, retail, education, government and the military, to name just a few. [Sponsored report]

» Read the full report here.

Event
13th Annual Florida Bat Festival

florida originalsSome couples have movie nights, but for Brian and Tracy Pope, their passion is bats. On Oct. 21, the couple of more than 20 years will share their passion with the public at the Lubee Bat Conservancy’s 13th Annual Florida Bat Festival. The Lubee Bat Conservancy houses the largest and most unique collection of fruit bats in the world.

» Read more from the Gainesville Sun.