Florida Trend | Florida's Business Authority

Thursday's Afternoon Update

Companies to watch as a new more business-focused Space Age emerges

On the surface, the current pace of space-related developments is on the upswing, especially in two areas: SpaceX's consistently successful missions to Earth orbit and increasing attention on NASA's Artemis return-to-the-moon program. But if a new, more business-focused and mature Space Age really is approaching, it won't entirely depend on these two heavy-hitters – other companies commanding billions of dollars are hustling to fly their projects in the coming years and join the exclusive group of those who have reached space. More from Florida Today.

‘The water is coming’: Florida Keys faces stark reality as seas rise

Long famed for its spectacular fishing, sprawling coral reefs and literary residents such as Ernest Hemingway, the Florida Keys is now acknowledging a previously unthinkable reality: it faces being overwhelmed by the rising seas and not every home can be saved. Following a grueling seven-hour public meeting on Monday, held in the appropriately named city of Marathon, officials agreed to push ahead with a plan to elevate streets throughout the Keys to keep them from perpetual flooding, while admitting they do not have the money to do so. More from the Guardian.

Fireworks are legal on July Fourth now, but manners are still hard to enforce

With July Fourth approaching, firework stands are popping up and shouts of “Hey ya’ll, watch this,” are ringing across Florida. Mix in last week’s new federal Juneteenth holiday and celebrations are already lighting up the skies in some neighborhoods. In April 2020, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law that allows Florida residents to legally use fireworks, but only for three days out of the year: New Year’s Day, July Fourth and on New Year’s Eve. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Portugal seeks trade and PortMiami agreement

A delegation of Portuguese officials including the ambassador of the European country in the U.S. Domingos Fezas Vital, the Secretary of State of Diaspora Communities Dr. Berta Nunes, and the Honorary Consul in Miami Carolina Rendeiro met at the World Trade Center Miami (WTCM), to let their trade and logistics partners in South Florida know that they are open for business. More from Miami Today.

InMotion moves HQ from Jacksonville to Las Vegas

It appears Jacksonville has lost a corporate headquarters. After a merger with a sister division, InMotion Entertainment Group LLC, which sells electronics and accessories in airports, moved its headquarters to Las Vegas. Its previous space at 4801 Executive Park Court, Suite 100, in Center Point Business Park along Philips Highway north of Butler Boulevard, is for lease and the InMotion signage has been removed. More from the Jacksonville Daily Record.

Sports Business
In Overtown, David Beckham tries to keep ‘alternative’ site alive for soccer stadium

 As David Beckham and partners try to close a stadium deal with Miami for the city’s Melreese golf course, the group also needs a break from Miami-Dade County to keep its back-up stadium option alive in Overtown. Last week, a lawyer for Beckham’s soccer venture asked Miami-Dade County’s mayor for an extension on a 2017 land deal that has largely faded from public attention in recent years as the partners pursued a grander deal for a mall, office complex and Major League Soccer stadium at the Melreese site.

» More from the Miami Herald.

 

Entertainment
The buzz on Electric Ocean, SeaWorld’s summer fling

floridaSeaWorld Orlando has rolled out Electric Ocean again for the summer. The event has a mishmash of activities, from singing Sesame Streeters to rescue animals to black-light dance parties to a big-bang ending in the form of the “Ignite” fireworks show. “Ignite” is now seen on a nightly basis through Aug. 8, then it goes into “select nights” mode through Sept. 6, although that’s mostly a Friday-through-Sunday schedule, plus Labor Day.

» Read more from the Orlando Sentinel .