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Friday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
The Florida boomtown that shouldn't exist
Cape Coral was built on total lies. One big storm could wipe it off the map. Oh, and it’s also the fastest-growing city in the United States. Cape Coral may be the best place to gauge the future of the Florida dream — and to see whether Florida has any hope of overcoming its zany developmental, political and environmental history — because Cape Coral is the ultimate microcosm of Florida. Cape Coral’s planners expect its population to double over the next two decades, because it’s never cold and it isn’t usually in the track of deadly hurricanes.[Source: Politico]
» See also Forbes list of the fastest-gworing cities in the U.S. On the list, Cape Coral - Fort Myers is #1; Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford is #2.
Florida Trend Exclusive
Building ties: Miami sees an Israeli influx of businesses
More Israeli companies are setting up shop in Miami-Dade, lured by Miami’s position as a gateway to Latin America and to larger U.S. markets. The area is closer to Israel in distance and time zones than California, and businesses “see the ecosystem for entrepreneurs developing,” says Guy Gilady, Israel’s deputy consul general in Miami. Full story here.
Florida court sides with Gov. Scott in nursing home battle
Florida Gov. Rick Scott has won the first round in a legal tug-of-war over his mandate that nursing homes and assisted living facilities install generators. The 1st District Court of Appeal on Thursday rejected a legal challenge to emergency rules put in place by the Scott administration. See the news release from Gov. Scott, here. Also read more at the AP and WJXT.
Palm Beach billionaire not ruling out run for governor
Billionaire real estate investor Jeff Greene says he’d like to be Florida governor and thinks he’d be effective in the job. But Greene, who lost a 2010 Democratic primary bid for U.S. Senate, said he has major reservations about running for office and the toll it would take on his family. [Source: Palm Beach Post]
Florida company sends giant generators to Puerto Rico to restore power
Power is on the way for hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico in the form of two giant fuel-powered generators. APR Energy, a Jacksonville-based firm, has shipped two turbines to the island nation, which means thousands of customers will have their power restored within weeks. [Source: Miami Herald]
› Protesters take a stand, outnumber Spencer supporters at University of Florida
Protests were almost entirely peaceful Thursday, with the exception of a few instances where crowds of more than 100 chased after white nationalist Richard Spencer's supporters. Nearly 2,500 came out to protest around the Phillips Center.
› Florida Democrats take aim at Confederate memorials
Florida Democratic legislators are taking aim at Confederate memorials and holidays linked to Confederate leaders. House and Senate Democrats have filed bills that would remove the birthdays of Gen. Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis from the list of legal holidays listed in Florida law.
› Florida executive will oversee Chase's growing branch network in the south
Chase has promoted Miami banking executive George Acevedo. Acevedo will now lead Chase's consumer banking segment for its new south division, which includes nearly 700 branches in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Oklahoma.
› One of the best places for investing in a rental house is in Tampa Bay
If you're looking to invest in a house to rent out, few places are better than ZIP Code 34607 in Hernando County's Spring Hill area, according to ATTOM Data Solutions.
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