FYI Miami


	Florida International University seeks two new hubs in city core
	Miami asks to reopen Marlins stadium talks, team says no
	Buyers more cautious, but art prices head up recovery road
	Miami hotel rates, occupancy jump in what's now Art Basel season
	Fewer jet in privately, but tour operators bank on Art Basel
	Miami seeks cash to clean, deepen two polluted river tributaries
	Just before the first round, Miami-Dade County unit signs boxing contract

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FYI Miami is a weekly feature of Miami Today, keeping readers ahead of the news. Here are highlights from the most current edition.

Complete coverage, including The Insider and all information columns, is available in the e-edition. Sign up now.

   URBAN JOBS: Miami-Dade's Beacon Council got backing in its push for legislation that would allow area businesses to finance redevelopment projects through the state sales tax. The county commission adopted Nov. 16 a resolution urging the Florida Legislature to pass the Urban Job Creation Investment Act, authorizing creation of economic development zones. Businesses within each zone could apply to receive benefits, including a 50% reduction in state sales taxes, subsidized unemployment insurance costs for those earning less than $4,500 a quarter, a $1,500 corporate tax credit for full-time workers who have been unemployed for 90 days and a credit against the corporate business tax.
   STILL WAITING: No word yet as to whether a mystery communications firm will expand, adding 180 jobs and invest $4.6 million in new facilities in Miami-Dade or move to Argentina, California or Colorado. "We can't discuss ongoing projects," Beacon Council spokesperson Ana Acle-Mendez e-mailed. The agency, the county's economic development arm, helped the company apply for a Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund offering it $450,000, of which the county would pay $90,000, to stay here and grow. The county commission approved the incentive in late July, but it seems the company has yet to decide.
   NOT A WORD: It's not clear whether Miami is closer to securing a Merchandise Mart-style business that would result in a new 2.5-million-square-foot trade center, warehouse and office complex along with 3,000 new jobs, though it's not dead yet. Beacon Council spokesperson Ana Acle-Mendez said the agency couldn't comment on an ongoing project, which means the company may still be considering its move. The county commission in March approved a $180,000 payout to bring the company here and is to eventually consider a $3.9 million incentive.
   TV TALKS: Miami-Dade may soon slither onto the small screen. The county commission adopted Nov. 16 a resolution allowing local camera crews to shoot and produce "Venom 1," a reality show following the county's venom response team as it responds to and treats attack victims. Produced by 2C Media, the company that brought us "Danger Coast," a reality series about county's fireboat operations, the show has been in production since July. Producers are to cover all costs and pay the county $5,000 per episode. Chris Sloan, president and owner of 2C media, said the series is expected to hit airwaves early next year.
   HOSPITALITY JOBS: Miami-Dade County leisure and hospitality jobs rose 2.7% in October to an average of 103,400 compared to October 2009's 100,700.

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