Florida Trend | Florida's Business Authority

Monday's Daily Pulse

Lots of cities want new Brightline stations. Here are the stops likely next in line.

Many South Florida commuters want the convenience of a Brightline train station near them — and now we know the next locations on track to get them. The high-speed train service’s next priority station stops are Boca Raton, Aventura and PortMiami, the company says. But Brightline is still listening to proposals from several other cities eager to join its service, which runs through the downtowns of West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami. If a profile of the company’s ridership is any indication, city leaders should know it’s about who can deliver the most business and tourism travelers. More from the South Florida SunSentinel.

Florida raking in billions as Americans abandon high-tax states

State governments can benefit greatly from an influx of movers – enjoying everything from increased tax revenues to new business activity. Recently, changes to the U.S. tax code have encouraged an increasing number of people to move – taking their cash to lower-tax states like Florida. As it turns out, however, Florida has been banking on moving trends even prior to the implementation of the new tax law. According to a new study from LendingTree, which analyzed IRS data from 2016, Florida is the number one largest beneficiary from relocations out of all 50 states – by a landslide. More from FOX Business.

Report reveals Florida's scores for areas that impact manufacturing

The 2019 Manufacturing Scorecard, from Ball State University, grades Florida and other states on economic areas that impact manufacturing and logistics. In a recent Ball State University nationwide industry report, Florida saw improvement in a couple areas but also maintained several scores. The 2019 Manufacturing Scorecard, from the school’s Center for Business and Economic Research, grades Florida and other states on economic areas that impact manufacturing and logistics. More from the Business Observer.

Bulletproof backpacks are on shelves in area stores for new school year

In time for the start of the school year, bulletproof backpacks are once again on the racks for back-to-school shopping. Tampa Bay area Office Depots have stocked a variety of Guard Dog Security bulletproof backpacks, including its newest Scout model. Stores on Missouri Avenue in Clearwater, Dale Mabry Highway and East Adamo Drive in Tampa all have them. Prices range from $119 to $199 and one model, Proshield II, was “tested and certified against .44 magnum and 9mm,” according to the company’s website. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Report: Florida job market vulnerable to automation

With an estimated 47 percent of jobs in the U.S. vulnerable to automation, a new report has Florida dominating the top 25 metro areas at risk. The North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton market ranked 25. Depending on the knowledge, skills and abilities an occupation requires, as well as the variety of tasks it involves, certain jobs will be more susceptible to automation than others. According to the report by SmartAssets, some popular occupations most vulnerable to automation include tax preparers, real estate brokers, cashiers, secretaries and administrative assistants. All four of those occupations have over a 95 percent chance of computerization according to their findings. [Source: Bradenton Times]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Florida’s budding hemp industry, and the mega-billions it could generate, leads to power struggle
It’s a battle of advisory boards, pitting a single Democrat against a powerful pair of Republicans, with the future of what could become a multibillion-dollar cash crop hanging in the balance.

› Lee County to serve as host city for 2019 International Trade Summit
Lee County will be one of four host communities in Florida to welcome companies from seven countries as part of the second annual International Trade Summit.

› Focus on Manatee: Small business is big business, and it shows across our region
According to 2019 estimates by the University of Florida Bureau of Economic and Business Research, Manatee County’s population will exceed half a million in the next 25 years — the highest growth among counties in our region. Manatee is one of the few counties in the region that is getting younger.

› Zillow Research Director: It's 'tragic' that we're building in flood-prone zones
An analysis released last week shows that nearly 20,000 homes built in the past decade are at significant risk of chronic coastal flooding by 2050 — and yep, Florida leads the way.

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› U-pick season opens at Spring Garden Vineyard
Spring Garden Vineyard, a U-pick muscadine grape vineyard owned by Robin and Wanda Lennon, is opening for a fourth picking season Friday, Aug. 16. The vineyard is at 980 Reynolds Road, DeLeon Springs.

› Taste of Immokalee earns approval by Florida Ready to Work Program
Taste of Immokalee, a youth entrepreneurship program and business created and operated by high school students, is proud to announce its partnership with Florida Ready to Work.

› Space industry propels Brevard economy into optimistic future; highlights from EDC investors meeting
The Space Coast Association of Realtors was filled with leading businessmen and women of Brevard, important public figures from all over the county, and many industry representatives at tonight's Economic Development Commission August investor meeting.

› Plans for outdoor snow park in Pasco County move forward
The proposed snow park will be built just west of the Tree Hoppers Aerial Adventure Park property, on St. Joe Road and Bellamy Brothers Boulevard, which is also the site of the annual Scream-A-Geddon.