Uber will pay Florida $8.2 million as part of data breach settlement

The State of Florida, one of the originators of the complaint against Uber over the ride-sharing company keeping quiet about a 2016 data breach, will get $8.2 million of the $148 million Uber will pay 50 states and the District of Columbia. See the news release from Attorney General Pam Bondi, here. Also read morea at the Miami Herald, WFLA, and Reuters.

Florida hemp program greenlit and gearing for growth

The fledgling pilot project led by University of Florida scientists to explore the potential of producing industrial hemp across the state is getting wings thanks to initial funding from a private partner. Green Roads Inc. has reportedly invested $1.3 million to sponsor the first phase of the UF/IFAS research program. Read more in this story from Growing Produce.

JPMorgan Chase plans to add 35 branches in Florida

Traditional bank branches are disappearing in the United States at a rampant rate, but one company is bucking the trend by announcing plans to expand in Florida. JPMorgan Chase marked its 10-year anniversary of entering Florida by announcing plans to add 35 new branches and hire about 200 workers to staff them over the next three years. See the news release from JPMorgan Chase, here. Also read more at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and Miami Today.

Experts: More study needed on red tide’s effect on humans

A 2001 to 2011 review of “Florida Red Tide and Human Health Effects” evaluated the reactions of healthy Sarasota County lifeguards and a group of asthmatics to red tide supports concerns, and Dr. Barbara Kirkpatrick, who conducted the review with 25 other experts agreed that stronger public warnings are needed. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]

Florida Trend Column
'Burning platform:' Quint Studer focuses on improving Pensacola by educating children — beginning at birth.

I’m writing about Quint Studer not because of his success or generosity but because he’s the best example of a phenomenon that I hope will become a trend in Florida — wealthy individuals who support traditional local non-profits using narrowly focused initiatives that can improve a community. Read Executive Editor Mark Howard's full column here.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Fort Lauderdale company names new CEO [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Motus GI, a medical technology company in Fort Lauderdale, has announced the appointment of Timothy Moran, 46, as CEO and member of the board of directors, effective Oct. 1.

› Ryder Chief Financial Officer to retire in 2019 [Wall Street Journal]
Truck leasing and fleet-management company Ryder System Inc. said longtime finance chief Art Garcia will retire in April 2019. Mr. Garcia has served as CFO of the Miami company since 2010. He has held several roles of increased responsibility, including a stint as controller, since joining Ryder in 1997.

› Settlement suggested in Peace River water feud [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
A potential lengthy and costly legal battle over water withdrawals from the Peace River may be averted if all of the parties accept a proposed compromise. The board of the Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority is holding a closed session with attorney Douglas Manson to discuss the possible settlement.

› Collier plans to aggressively market itself to tourists once beaches are in the clear of red tide [Naples Daily News]
In 2017 it was Hurricane Irma. This year it's red tide. Once again Collier County is facing a natural disaster that's hurting tourism. So, like last year, the county's tourism bureau plans to tap into an emergency advertising fund to combat the negative publicity.

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› Sopchoppy receives grant to create jobs [WTXL]
One Florida city is receiving a big grant from the state to create new jobs. Sopchoppy is small and its quaint. And Mayor Lara Edwards says that even with the money from a state grant, that won't change.

See also:
» $1.5 million in grant funding for small & rural communities will create jobs

› Miami, Orlando among 'top 20 cities for coffee lovers' in U.S. [News Release]
With National Coffee Day around the corner (September 29) and the U.S. coffee industry currently valued at $48 billion, the personal-finance website WalletHub released a report on 2018's Best Coffee Cities in America. Two Florida cities rank in the Top 20.

› Southwest Florida adjusting to needs of labor market [Florida Weekly]
Here’s a simple problem: A business needs a machinist, one who can use computer models to build a product. When it advertises the position in the region no one applies, so it has to search, locate and hire from outside the area. The new employee moves his family to Southwest Florida, works a year, and decides to return home, quitting his job.

› Iconic St. Pete Biff Burger in peril as foreclosure looms [Florida Politics]
The iconic Biff Burger in St. Petersburg could be closing if the stars don’t align for the longtime classic burger joint. The restaurant’s former owners, George and Sandra Musser, are suing to foreclose on the property and restaurant because the new owners are defaulting on payments.