SHARE:
Tuesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Enterprise Florida hopes to recruit new businesses to offset coronavirus job losses
Enterprise Florida intends to ramp up marketing and business recruitment during the coming year to try to offset the state’s record job losses from the coronavirus pandemic. As it puts together a budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1, the public-private economic development agency is also making an assumption that its employees will be able to go overseas by the final three months of 2020. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Canadian visitors and investors looking to bounce back from coronavirus in South Florida
Among the countless South Floridians who are suffering financial setbacks from the coronavirus, Canadians who have homes and investments here are also feeling the pain. “I haven’t seen new business except for a meeting with a Canadian investor last week,” said Pierre Taschereau, director of business development at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance. And even the investor was a dual citizen who lives in Broward County. Canadian investors to South Florida mainly come from Quebec and Ontario, “which are, by far, the most affected by COVID,” he added. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
54 counties’ vacation rental safety plans approved ahead of first June weekend
Entering the first weekend in June, the state business regulatory agency has approved the vacation rental safety plans for 54 counties, paving the way for more guests to visit the Sunshine State. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) approved four counties’ safety plans this week, adding Broward, Hendry, Miami-Dade and Suwannee counties to the growing list of places where short term rentals will soon reopen. [Source: Florida Politics]
Bipartisan bill bolsters U.S. commercial space industry
The American Space Commerce Act of 2020 promotes U.S. space business by extending a benefit from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act which allows for certain deductions by American space companies. The legislation also creates a requirement that companies can utilize the tax benefit only if “the spacecraft is substantially manufactured in the United States.” [Source: WMFE]
Chinese citrus imports a sour pill for Florida growers
Beginning in mid-April, the USDA authorized the importation of five types of commercially produced fresh citrus fruit from China into the continental U.S. According to the agency, after thorough analysis, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service scientists determined that pummelo, ‘Nanfeng’ honey mandarin, ponkan, sweet orange, and Satsuma mandarin fruit from China could be safely imported into the U.S. under a systems approach to protect against the introduction of plant pests. [Source: Growing Produce]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Orange County aid program hits capacity after 10 minutes, closes until Wednesday
The assistance program created by Orange County to provide $1,000 in financial aid to families hurt by the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic closed after just 10 minutes this morning. The program hit a pre-determined limit of 2,000 applications, spokeswoman Despina McLaughlin said. The application portal will re-open at 8 a.m. Wednesday.
› Alexa, where should I shop? A new Amazon 4-Star store is opening in Miami Beach
It’s happening. After all those Amazon orders you placed during quarantine, you’ll now be able to shop for your favorite things in the flesh. Miami Beach is getting its very own Amazon 4 Star store, only one of three locations in Florida. The 5,000 square feet spot will be located at 700 Lincoln Road, taking over where recently shuttered Nexxt Cafe left off.
› Miami company with COVID-19 investment websites faces SEC charges
The Securities and Exchange Commission filed charges against a Miami investment company and its president for failing to provide records about its operations promoted on splashy COVID-19-related investment websites created since late March. E*Hedge Securities Inc. and Devon W. Parks of Delray Beach were charged with failing to provide the required books and records during an SEC examination and improperly registering as an online investment adviser when it didn’t qualify.
› Wild Florida offers free admission to essential workers for Gator Week
Wild Florida Airboats, Drive-thru Safari & Gator Park is hosting is fourth annual Gator Week from June 8 through June 13. The event features education about the Sunshine State’s often-misunderstood scaly residents. This year, the open-air park will celebrate who they are calling “the heroes of the COVID-19 crisis" with free admission for all essential workers.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
In case you missed it:
