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Florida jobless claims drop to pandemic low
First-time unemployment claims in Florida last week dropped to a new one-week low during the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. Department of Labor estimated 6,289 first-time applications were filed in the state during the week that ended July 31, down from a revised count of 10,110 during the week that ended July 24. The agency had initially estimated 9,082 new claims for the week ending July 24. While still subject to revision, last week’s estimate would reverse a recent upward trend in claims. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Business Beat - Week of August 6th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Florida’s COVID hospitalizations hit new all time high, reaching nearly 13,000 admissions
The COVID surge continues in Florida with hospitals reporting new record-breaking admissions for the virus on Thursday. Critically ill COVID patients now fill 2,577 intensive care beds in Florida’s hospitals, occupying about 89% of available beds, with all 261 hospitals reporting. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Florida ranks 7th in the country for home development, study says
Florida ranked seventh, just behind Texas, with 5.49 residents per 100,000 for permits issued. They’ve seen a total of more than 800,000 permits requested, which is a 641% increase over those five years. Idaho ranked first, with Utah, Colorado, South Carolina, and Delaware rounding out the top five states on the list. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
The future of retail is in question at one of Tampa's oldest malls
Sitting on Fowler Avenue, just a mile or so from the University of South Florida, is University Mall. Like a lot of malls, it’s a massive, spread out edifice surrounded by acres of parking spots. And like a lot of malls, it has seen better days. University Mall is undergoing a transformation, part fundamental and welcomed, and part quiet and underneath the surface. With ambitious plans and an investment that's already surpassed $100 million, the transformation is also in the spotlight in the region and across the state, as the indoor mall sector figures out what it will be in the next five, even 10 years. [Source: Business Observer]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Food equipment manufacturing trade show canceled at Orange County Convention Center amid coronavirus concerns
A second business meeting has been canceled at the Orange County Convention Center, as the region battles a resurgence of COVID-19 with record numbers of new infections and hospitalizations. The NAFEM Show, a trade show of foodservice equipment manufacturers, was expected to bring about 10,000 visitors to the region between Aug. 26 and Aug. 28, but announced the cancelation on its website Wednesday.
› As record Florida manatee deaths climb, state and feds prepare for another deadly winter
Wildlife management agencies are preparing for another potential round of mass manatee deaths they fear could occur as early as winter. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission met in Bonita Springs Wednesday to talk about the Unusual Mortality Event, or UME, that has claimed hundreds of sea cows in the Indian River Lagoon.
› AdventHealth purchases Holy Land Experience in $32 million sale
AdventHealth has closed a purchase of the Holy Land Experience theme park property, promising to expand its health offerings for the area off Vineland Road. The sale of 14 acres at 4655 Vineland Road closed Aug. 2 for $32 million, according to property records, allowing the expansion of the region’s largest hospital system.
› Private equity giant Apollo signs on for new downtown Miami office space
Apollo Global Management has signed on for temporary office space with Miami-based law firm Greenberg Traurig while the private equity giant searches for a permanent Miami home. The 3,500-square-foot space at Traurig’s Wells Fargo Center offices in downtown Miami, under a license agreement, will house as many as 16 employees.
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