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Thursday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida Trend Exclusive
Falling median pay may reflect pandemic effects rather than real trends
Amid the pandemic, lockdowns and later a tightening job market, employee pay diverged at Florida’s large public companies in 2020. The median employee pay fell by more than 5% at 16 companies, rose by at least 5% at 35 and hovered within that range for the rest. Florida Trend examined data provided by MyLogIQ from the companies’ annual disclosures of median employee pay as required by the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010. The data covered 85 Florida-based companies in the Russell 3000 that reported 2019 and 2020 median employee pay. [Source: Florida Trend]
State pilot study could lead to incentives for telecommuting
A state-funded regional program starting in January to analyze working from home to cut traffic congestion could lead to permanent incentives for telecommuters. First results are expected early in 2023. Miami-Dade’s Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) and South Florida Commuter Services are leading the charge to see if telecommuting can become a long-term strategy to trim congestion. [Source: Miami Today]
Enterprise Florida begins search for new leader
Enterprise Florida, the state’s business-recruitment agency, is undertaking a 90-day national search for a new president, a position typically appointed by the governor. The Enterprise Florida Board of Directors on Wednesday also formally named Marc Adler, the agency’s deputy secretary of commerce, as interim leader. Adler has been at the helm since Jamal Sowell stepped down as president and CEO in October to prepare for specialized training with the U.S. Navy Reserve. Adler said he viewed the 90-day appointment as more than a “caretaker” role. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Philanthropist, Publix heiress Carol Jenkins Barnett dies at 65
Carol Jenkins Barnett, the daughter of Publix Super Markets founder George W. Jenkins and perhaps Polk County’s most influential philanthropist, died Tuesday night at age 65 of complications from Alzheimer’s disease. Barnett and her husband, Barney Barnett, have donated vast sums in recent years to Florida Southern College — Carol’s alma mater — and to Lakeland Regional Health and other local and state entities. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Hard Rock Sportsbook refunds: How do I get my money back from the Florida betting app?
With sports betting off the table once again in Florida, many bettors who used the Hard Rock Sportsbook app now are eager to cash out and get their money back. While the Seminole Tribe has assured that “account balances for all current players will be refunded as requested,” some users this week took to social media to report difficulties in withdrawing their money. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› The City of Alachua is planning to build a cottage neighborhood
Plans are under way to break ground on a mixed-use science and tech park, called Convergence Research Park, early next year next to San Felasco State Park. The residential component of this tech park will include a new house type, a cottage home, which is a single-family detached home that differs from more traditional family homes by using smaller lot sizes, having unique building structures, and being clustered around common grounds within a cottage neighborhood.
› Pinellas puts pause on new retail sales of cats and dogs
Pinellas County commissioners voted unanimously to place a year-long moratorium on the expansion of retail sales of cats and dogs. The moratorium prevents any additional pet stores intending to sell the animals from opening in the county, but pet stores already selling them in Pinellas will be able to continue business as usual.
› Cruise business climbing in Port Canaveral
The cruise industry’s increasing cadence continues to keep Port Canaveral activity climbing. The port welcomed the first revenue sailing in more than 15 months when Carnival’s new ship Mardi Gras set sail on July 31, and has since welcomed 12 more ships with passengers at the port. In November, Norwegian Cruise Line made its return joining Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line and MSC Cruises as the five major lines calling the port home.
› Miami’s best new restaurants of 2021 are pandemic success stories
Miami’s best new restaurants of 2021 are pandemic success stories. Some started with out-of-work chefs popping up in the wake of 2020 shutdowns. Others opened despite the uncertainty of 2021. But all of them caught our attention with what matters most: great food and a unique vibe that adds to the landscape of Miami-Dade County as one of the most innovative and exciting places to dine out in America.
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