Central Florida is becoming the "bread basket" of job growth in the state

Despite concerns about a potentially impending recession, Florida continued to experience strong employment and job growth in July, according to state figures released Friday. While the numbers are largely strong because of a tight labor market, economists said, the metro-level data may indicate a growing trend in the state. "Central Florida is the new bread basket for the state in terms of job creation and economic growth," said Sean Snaith, economist at the University of Central Florida. "If you look at Tampa (Bay) and Orlando combined, there's more than 80,000 jobs created." [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

A high-tech walk across Florida

Spanning 23 counties across the center of the state, Florida’s high-tech corridor is a national hotspot for cutting-edge technology. It’s the center of autonomous vehicle research, a launchpad for NASA, home to the National Center for Simulation and Training and more. From the Gulf Coast to the Space Coast, researchers are developing technologies that improve everything from sunscreen packaging to heart monitors to rocket engines. [Source: Florida Trend]

Northrop Grumman will be first commercial company to build at KSC’s iconic assembly building

Kennedy Space Center’s iconic Vehicle Assembly Building, standing 525 feet tall over the Space Coast, has been home to some of NASA’s most storied programs. Now, it’s going commercial. The building, which was built for the Apollo era and housed the assembly of space shuttles, is getting its first private-sector partner. Northrop Grumman announced Friday that it will assemble and test its new rocket, OmegA, at the VAB’s High Bay 2. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Traveler’s check-up: Florida CEOs discuss pros and cons of liberal vacation policies

CEOs were asked: What is your company’s current vacation policy? More companies are increasingly turning to an open-ended trust system — is this something you have considered? Adriana Jaegerman, senior principal, managing leader at Stantec says, "We have a set number of vacation days and holidays, but we pride ourselves on being flexible, which includes the ability to work remotely. We encourage our people to travel and take time for themselves" [Source: Miami Herald]

Florida liquor licenses up for grabs starting this week

Florida is among a handful of states that allocate liquor quota licenses via random computerized drawings. The licenses — issued on the basis of one for every 7,500 increase in a county’s population — are coveted because they can be used almost anywhere in the county where zoning permits. (Beer and wine licenses are limited to a specific location.) For a 45-day period starting Monday, applicants can enter the drawing for every county in which a license is available but they can submit only one entry per county and must pay a $100 entry fee each time. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Miami governments spending millions to make money and get exposure from Super Bowl 54 [Miami Herald]
Politicians and tourism boosters tout Super Bowls as major moneymakers for South Florida’s economy. Plus, they point out, the NFL has committed to building playing fields and improving other public spaces in Miami-Dade County in connection with the 2020 event. In the economics of hosting a Super Bowl, though, the thinking goes that you spend taxpayer money to realize an even bigger economic payoff: the dollars that visitors spend in hotels, restaurants, airports, and other local businesses.

› Central Florida venues say ax throwing no more dangerous than golf, bowling [Orlando Sentinel]
Drinking a beer while hurling axes at a wooden target seems like a possible prelude to an emergency room trip, but Central Florida ax venue owners contend the injury risks are comparable to other recreational activities. Ax throwing originated in Canadian logging competitions and has recently gained popularity in the United States. Adding alcohol to the mix has become a trend — one that may expand to Winter Park.

› FPL low-income program helps less than 1 percent of customers cut energy use [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Florida Power & Light Co. says it has helped “more than 17,000 customers” since 2005 replace light bulbs, maintain their air conditioners or otherwise reduce energy use in their homes. But those benefiting comprise less than 1 percent of FPL’s total 5 million residential households statewide.

› Nearly half of Tampa professionals expect to job-seek within the next year [Tampa Bay Times]
According to a survey by staffing firm Robert Half, about 40 percent of Tampa professionals expect to begin a job search within the next year. The driving reasons, the survey found, were to increase their wages (32 percent), seek a promotion (32 percent), get additional time off (12 percent) and find a new manager (12 percent).

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› They’re not extinct in West Palm Beach: Dinosaur theme park draws thousands [Orlando Sentinel]
A three-day traveling theme park 'Jurassic Quest' featured 80 life-size animatronic dinosaurs from the Cretaceous, Jurassic and Triassic periods invading the South Florida Fairgrounds Expo Center in West Palm Beach on Saturday August 17, 2019.

› Fort Lauderdale’s 13th Street is feeling lucky: new businesses and a new vibe [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
“Opening soon” signs are promising a jolt of vitality to the revitalization of Northeast 13th Street in Fort Lauderdale. Lovelee Bakeshop will open in mid to late September. The Deck on 13 (beer, wine and tapas) is waiting for a few last permits. And SoBar Juice and Brunch Bar will be in business as soon as some parking wrinkles get ironed out. Earlier this month, Float8 Wellness Lounge signed a lease with plans to open in February, 2020.

› Three organizations announce joint lifeline for Sarasota YMCA [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Three organizations have announced a joint effort to save Sarasota’s two remaining YMCA fitness Centers, though many details still have to be worked out. The Sarasota Family YMCA, Save Our Y and Dreamers Academy plan to keep both the Frank G. Berlin Campus and Evalyn Sadlier Jones branches open while improving facilities and retaining as many employees and existing members as possible.

› As Florida citrus fades, farmers diversify with a store, a maze and new crops [Orlando Sentinel]
A maze made of stacked citrus picking bins will serve as a nod to three generations of citrus production on land where a new agriculture attraction called Sunsational Farms is sprouting this fall. A multi-week fall festival is in the works, mini-pumpkins have been planted that the farmers are still learning about growing and other crops are coming including strawberries, vegetables and some citrus in seedless tangerines, seedless mandarins and lemons.