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Friday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
More details emerge on reopening Florida universities
A week after the state university system’s Board of Governors laid out a blueprint for how to reopen campuses in the fall, school officials are offering more details about what will change when students and faculty members come back. The 12 state universities continue to work on plans, which they are supposed to present June 23 to the Board of Governors. The plans will flesh out details about issues such as student housing, academics, health protocols and athletics. More from WJCT and the Bradenton Herald.
Tampa Bay LGBTQ-owned businesses expect major losses after scrapped Pride events
As Tampa Bay businesses continue to reel from the deep economic hardships brought by efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19, many are preparing for the compounding financial blow of canceled Pride celebrations. Late last month, the organizers of St. Pete Pride and its sister celebration, Tampa Pride, called off their June events in an abundance of caution for attendees’ health and safety. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Miami-Dade launching $25 million revolving loan fund for businesses hurt by COVID
Miami-Dade is using $25 million in federal coronavirus relief to launch a micro-loan program for small businesses left out of other economic aid tied to the pandemic. Approved by county commissioners this week, the Rise Miami-Dade program uses community groups to screen applicants for the low-interest loans capped at $30,000. The loans are limited to Miami-Dade businesses with less than $2 million in sales and fewer than 25 employees. More from the Miami Herald.
Orange County may borrow $700 million to expand its convention center even as tax revenues collapse
Orange County may borrow as much as $700 million to expand its already Pentagon-sized convention center — even as tax revenues collapse amid the coronavirus crisis and industry executives warn they will want even bigger public subsidies to prop up the convention business once the pandemic passes. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
AutoNation permanently lays off 3,500 workers
AutoNation is permanently laying off 3,500 employees at its Fort Lauderdale headquarters and at various U.S. dealership locations. The company said in a statement first reported by Automotive News that it was having to adjust to the “new normal.” “The business environment continues to change and AutoNation is adapting by restructuring and reducing the work force,” said Marc Cannon, AutoNation’s chief customer experience officer. More from the Miami Herald.
Business Profile
Biotech firm seizes opportunity to launch new product line
SynDaver, a Tampa company that produces lifelike synthetic human and animal bodies for use in education and medical device testing, has grown its product line yet again with Axi, a line of 3D printers for both professionals and hobbyists. The venture, according to a news release, has also resulted in the formation of a new business unit, SynDaver West, headquartered in Loveland, Colo.
» More from the Business Observer.
Florida Dining
Sweet Alchemy Confectionery
Pastry chef Max Santiago is used to sugar-starved customers lining up around the block to sample his confections. But even he felt speechless last month when the mobs gathered outside his new doughnut-focused pop-up in Davie, Sweet Alchemy Confectionery. “That first day – it was crazy – I sold 1,000 doughnuts in 90 minutes,” Santiago says of Sweet Alchemy, his weekend-only pop-up inside Davie’s Flashback Diner. “It was way more commotion than I ever expected.”
» Read more from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
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