Tallahassee, FL - Ash Williams, Executive Director and Chief Investment Officer of the Florida State Board of Administration (SBA) announced the launch of the Florida Growth Fund today. The Florida Growth Fund initiative is one result of the Florida Technology and Growth Act signed by Governor Crist in May 2008. The act allows the SBA to invest up to 1.5% of Florida Retirement System Pension Fund (FRS) assets in technology and growth enterprises that have significant presence in Florida. Technology and growth investments include, but are not limited to, space technology, aerospace and aviation engineering, computer technology, renewable energy, and medical and life sciences.

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Central Florida - The US and Cuba have been talking and many Florida businesses think its a good thing. If trade and travel open between the US and Cuba, Florida ports, airports and businesses would prosper. According to TravelCubaNow.com, Ending the Cuban Embargo Benefits Florida’s Economy:

The state of Florida may have the most to gain from ending the Cuban embargo. The southern most point of the U.S., Key West, Florida is within a hundred miles of Cuba. Florida’s ports would benefit from the large amounts of cargo that would be shipped to Cuba. The ports would also benefit as many early travelers to Cuba would opt to cruise there since hotel facilities do not yet exist to accommodate tourists bound for this new destination.

Cape Canaveral, FL - Florida has many attractions and places to visit. Placesaroundflorida.com offers in-depth information on the most popular locations and events Florida has to offer, including Florida beaches, Amusement parks, towns with hotels and restaurants, etc. PlacesAroundFlorida.com helps visitors find Florida destinations before their trip begins by offering a comprehensive Florida travel guide.

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Tampa, FL - Business Software Alliance runs national “whistleblower” radio ad campaign in Tampa, Florida. Software audit defense firm, Scott & Scott, offers 4 tips to avoid common mistakes in software licensing audits. Scott & Scott, LLP, Dallas based law and technology services firm, report that the Business Software Alliance (BSA) has targeted Tampa in its national “Know it, Report it, Reward it” whistleblower campaign, based on statistics from TNS Media’s AdScope. The BSA, a global software industry group funded by big name companies, including Apple, Adobe, Microsoft, and Autodesk, placed 72 ads in a 7 week period on Tampa radio stations offering informants, usually disgruntled employees, up to $1 Million in cash for anonymous software piracy tips.

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Winter Haven, FL - The Florida Tourism Economy is being battered however some investors remain optimistic. Shuttered since November, Cypress Gardens located near other top Orlando attractions reopened March 28 with a former park veteran at the helm, attraction officials said. Bill Sims, introduced by owners Brian Philpot and Rob Harper as leader of the attraction’s new management team, said Florida’s first theme park will open in time for spring break. The announcement was made during a 10 a.m. news conference at the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce building downtown.

Sims is a former executive vice president of Cypress Gardens who worked with the founding Pope family from the early 1970s until 1985, when the park was sold for the first time. He also is the former chief executive officer and executive vice president of the Silver Springs attraction near Ocala, a former executive with Weekee Wachee Spring Hill and a former state tourism representative.

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