Putting the sun in Sunshine State? Florida’s about-face on solar power

There’s a new crop sprouting in southern Florida. Amid fields of sweet corn, squash, and okra dotting the landscape outside Miami, rows and rows of solar panels now soak up the Florida sunshine. Despite being the Sunshine State, Florida has long lagged when it comes to tapping into the abundant rays overhead. But now that is changing as utility companies in the state have begun to recognize solar power as a vital component of a diverse energy future. [Source: Christian Science Monitor]

There is no slow season for Florida theme parks anymore

Early February used to be a safe time to hit up Central Florida's theme parks. The holiday-fueled families are back in school, operating hours get shorter, and outside of opportunistic locals and a few lingering snowbirds there has usually been plenty of elbow room. The times are changing -- in a good way for shareholders, but possibly in a bad way for visitors who were hoping to get the year-round parks all to themselves this time of year. [Source: Motley Fool]

Florida Trend Exclusive
Twin boat shows

This weekend, Feb. 14 to Feb. 18, Miami hosts a tandem of boat shows. Florida Trend spoke with Thom Dammrich, president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association, which owns the Progressive International Boat Show being held on Virginia Key. The 78th running of the show features 1,100 exhibitors. [Source: Florida Trend]

The future of prison reform in Florida

Attempts to reform the way criminals are sentenced and how much time they spend behind bars have made little headway in the Florida legislature in recent years. But following the passage of federal criminal justice reform in December, it seems state legislators from both parties may be ready to take a new look at reforming the state’s prison system. [Source: WJCT]

Pick your power provider? The plan to deregulate Florida's electric grid

Where you live determines where you get your electricity from in Florida. Now there is a push to let customers choose where they buy their power instead of giving power companies specific sections of the state. Currently, the state is a regulated monopoly, with the largest electric companies carving up Florida: Duke services Central Florida, FP&L has the east coast, Tampa Electric has the west, and Gulf Power has the panhandle. [Source: WFTV]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Business continues to boom in Marion County [Ocala Star-Banner]
Marion County is booming and the Ocala/Marion County Chamber and Economic Partnership (CEP) hopes to keep the good times rolling as it focuses on new industries to lure to the area. “If we are going to continue to grow, if we’re going to continue to attract high-wage jobs, we have to attract more high-wage opportunities,” Kevin Sheilley, president and CEO of the CEP, said during the group’s annual luncheon.

› New features for Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, as Astros, Nats return [Palm Beach Post]
It’s spring training time in West Palm Beach, with major leaguers days away from digging cleats into turf at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Before they do, though, many will swing through another West Palm facility: what will soon be inaugurated as the Hilton Garden Inn at the Outlets, thought to be the only building in the country built for a spring training complex by a team owner.

› Bloomin' Brands names head of seafood brand [Business Observer]
Bloomin’ Brands Inc. has appointed Jeff Carcara president of Bonefish Grill. According a press release, Carcara, who has 26 years of experience in the hospitality industry, comes to Bloomin’ Brands from Irving, Texas-based Del Frisco’s Emerging Brands, where he served as CEO.

› One Florida Bank set to launch in Orlando [Orlando Sentinel]
A financial institution launching in Central Florida will be led by an executive team with deep roots in the region’s banking industry. The ownership group for One Florida Bank received regulatory approval on Dec. 28 to acquire and change the name of Chipley-based One South Bank.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Parkland families push petitions for 2020 ban on assault weapons in Florida [Miami Herald]
Relatives of the 17 people killed in the Feb. 14 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High gathered with activists Monday in Fort Lauderdale to submit the first of what they hope will be more than 1 million petitions signed in a push to force a 2020 ballot question to prohibit the possession of what they called “military-grade” weapons.

› Is Naples area becoming like Miami? Some residents think so, but others see limits [Naples Daily News]
With a slew of new construction projects — apartments, storage units, high-rise condos, and plans for more overpasses and roads — people living in the Naples area are concerned about everything from gridlock on the roads to a landscape littered with towers.

› Atlanta company buys Reunion golf resort near Disney [Orlando Sentinel]
Kingwood International Resorts has purchased the AAA Four Diamond-rated Reunion Resort and released an ambitious expansion plan for the Disney-area golf destination.

› Rick Scott won’t put his wealth in a blind trust anymore [Tampa Bay Times]
U.S. Sen. Rick Scott will no longer keep his vast wealth in a blind trust, like he did during his eight years as Florida’s governor. Instead, Scott said he will report his assets to the public in annual financial disclosure forms required of all members of Congress.