WILDLIFE CORRIDOR The Florida Cabinet approved spending $17.8 million to purchase and conserve more than 3,500 acres of Florida land. Two of the properties, in Osceola and Marion counties, are part of the Florida Wildlife Corridor. The goal is to connect 18 million acres from the Keys to the Panhandle to preserve wildlife habitats. MANATEES Read more about Issues of Interest[…]
TOBACCO CONTROL REPORT CARD Florida received low grades across several categories on the American Lung Association’s 2023 State of Tobacco Control report card. A failing grade was given on tobacco prevention and cessation funding, taxes on tobacco, and flavored tobacco products. Florida received a “D” on access to cessation services, but earned a high “B” Read more about Issues of Interest[…]
BRIGHTLINE Brightline Trains unveiled renderings of the station located at the Orlando International Airport. Even though the building was completed five years ago, the station has been sitting empty. The station will have luxury amenities featuring an upscale retail experience and a signature bar called Mary Mary, which will serve hand-crafted cocktails and lite bites. SUNRAIL Universal Read more about Issues of Interest[…]
SPACE FLORIDA 2022 was a banner year for Florida’s space industry. Over 6,000 jobs were added across 15 companies. The economic impact to the State for these jobs totaled $1 billion. Brevard County and the surrounding area once dominated the space industry job market; today, that number is closer to 40 percent. ADDITIONAL MARIJUANA LICENSES On December 20th, Read more about Issues of Interest[…]
TOURISM NUMBERS VISITFlorida estimates that the state welcomed 35.1 million visitors between July and September 2022, marking a 6.9 percent increase over the same period in 2021. This fifth consecutive quarter of overall visitation surpasses pre-pandemic levels. SPRINGS RESTORATION Thirty statewide springs renovation projects will share nearly $75 million to aid the recovery of, and Read more about Issues of Interest[…]