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Thursday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida’s economy won’t recover from COVID-19 for more than a year, report says
Repeated government lockdowns and restrictions on businesses to stop the coronavirus makes it unlikely that Florida’s job market and economy will return to pre-pandemic levels until late 2021, according to a forecast by a University of Central Florida economist. “It’s the public health measures and the lingering fears that are weighing on the recovery,” said Sean Snaith, director of the Institute for Economic Forecasting at the University of Central Florida. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel
State-run Citizens Insurance to resume dropping policies
Florida’s state-run insurer of last resort says it’s time to pay up. Citizens Property Insurance Corp. customers who have been unable to make their homeowner insurance payments because of a COVID-19-related hardship will have to come up with a way to fulfill their obligations or face cancellation after Aug. 15, the company said in letters sent to agents and customers this month. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
RNC plans in jeopardy as Jacksonville council president opposes city bill
The 2020 Republican National Convention’s plans for coming to Jacksonville next month will face a major roadblock after Mayor Lenny Curry filed a bill Wednesday evening: a city council president who said he now opposes the effort. The bill, which still leaves gaps about how the city plans to handle testing, treatment and the potential spread of coronavirus, grants Curry extraordinary power to spend $33 million in federal security funds how he thinks is necessary. More from the Florida Times-Union and the Miami Herald.
Driverless shuttle could run along St. Petersburg’s Bayshore Drive this fall
A driverless shuttle could carry people up and down Bayshore Drive this fall, if city and county officials sign off on it. The three-month, $140,000 pilot program was approved by Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority’s finance committee Wednesday and is going before the St. Petersburg City Council today. The county transit authority’s full board will vote next week. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Health care firm acquires cosmetic surgery practice
Quigley Eye Specialists has acquired the facial plastic surgery practice of Dr. Stephen Prendiville, who, along with his staff, will remain with the merged company as part of its new cosmetic surgery division. Quigley Eye Specialists, based in Fort Myers, also named Prendiville medical director, in which role he will also work with Assuage Luxury Spa, a Quigley property that has locations in Fort Myers and Naples. More from the Business Observer.
Out of the Box
This Miami company will build you an epic treehouse you’ll actually want to live in
If you’ve ever fantasized of escaping to the lofty treetop castle of your dreams right in your own back yard, then dream no more! This Florida company, Miami Tree House Builders, will custom-craft the ultimate treehouse that you'll never want to leave. While they’re based in the 305, they service all of Florida and will even travel up the East Coast.
» More from Narcity.
Business Profile
CGC Trading Cards
Certified Guaranty Company has launched CGC Trading Cards, a division to authenticate, grade and encapsulate Pokémon TCG and Magic: The Gathering cards. Lakewood Ranch-based CGC is an independent member within the Certified Collectibles Group. CCG companies also include Numismatic Guaranty Corporation, Paper Money Guaranty, Authenticated Stamp Guaranty and Collectibles Authentication Guaranty.
» Read more from the Business Observer.
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