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Wednesday's Afternoon Update

Florida dairy farmers still fighting for relief dollars

Hurricane Irma tore through Florida nearly 10 months ago. Citrus was heavily impacted by the storm, as well as other industries, like dairy. In February 2018, a relief package was passed for Florida agriculture. Despite suffering extensive damage, dairy was left out of the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program (WHIP). More from Southeast Ag Net.

Florida Trend Exclusive
Time to Share: Marriott Vacations and ILG merge

Marriott Maui

Two of Florida’s biggest publicly traded companies are joining forces, as Orlando- based Marriott Vacations Worldwide will buy Miami-based ILG in a $4.7 billion cash-and-stock deal. The merger creates an industry giant with 650,000 timeshare owners and 108 properties. Full story here.
(Marriott Vacations Worldwide is No. 39 on Florida Trend's "Biggest Public Companies in Florida" list.)

Related:
» The 350 biggest public and private companies in Florida

White House approves reservoir project near Lake Okeechobee

Florida Governor Rick Scott says the White House has approved the Everglades Agricultural Area Storage reservoir project. It is now up to Congress to move the project forward. Senators Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio have been shoring up support for the project from their fellow senators. More from WFTX and the Naples Daily News.

David Hicks, Jacksonville business, civic and philanthropic powerhouse has died at 82

David Hicks, who built Computer Power into a national giant and helped change the face of Jacksonville as a civic and philanthropic leader, has died. Mr. Hicks began his business career in 1960 at Stockton, Whatley, Davin and Co. In 1967 he left the firm to become president and part-owner of Computer Power, turning it into a mortgage software and services powerhouse. More from the Florida Times-Union.

Investment firm buys stake in Orlando manufacturer Spice World

Orlando food manufacturer Spice World, Inc. has sold an undisclosed slice of the company to New York investment firm Palladium Equity Partners. Palladium announced the investment Tuesday, taking a stake in the 69-year-old Orlando company that specializes in garlic products and spreads. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Out of the Box
Orlando hotel's dog-adoption program off to 'awesome' start

 In six weeks, Aloft Orlando Downtown has found forever homes for Dante, Lily, Lucky, Bruno, Roxy, Lil’ Bit — and a half-dozen other formerly homeless dogs from the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando. The Dog In Residence program, started in late May, has been an “awesome” success, says Pet Alliance executive director Stephen Bardy.

» More from the Orlando Sentinel.

 

Profile
Family ties at Palatka paper plant

floridaWade Dallas and his sister Karen are from a big family that prides itself on consistency and hard work. Indeed, for decades, various Dallases have crossed the St. Johns River into the bigger city of Palatka, population 10,400 or so, and taken up jobs at the Georgia-Pacific paper mill, a sprawling, pungent complex on Rice Creek that’s been a mainstay in the city economy for more than 70 years.

» Read more from the Florida Times-Union.