Storm-battered Florida braces for a fourth day of floods
Forecasters warned Floridians to prepare for additional flash flooding after a tropical disturbance dumped as much as 20 inches (50 centimeters) of rainfall in the southern parts of the state, with worsening conditions expected Friday. The disorganized storm system was pushing across Florida from the Gulf of Mexico at roughly the same time as the early June start of hurricane season, which this year is forecast to be among the most active in recent memory amid concerns that climate change is increasing storm intensity. more from the AP, the Miami Herald, and CNN.
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» Photos: Flooding scenes from across South Florida
Business Beat - Week of June 14th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
floriida gets nearly $350 million in federal funding for energy efficiency upgrades
In the past few years, Florida has rejected billions in federal funds, but Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday accepted nearly $350 million to improve residents' energy efficiency through the Inflation Reduction Act. The initiative helps some low- to moderate-income households get thousands of dollars back for buying energy-efficient appliances or weatherizing their homes. [Source: WUSF]
Florida No. 2 in gun sales with nearly half a million in beginning of 2024, report says
Americans bought nearly 5.5 million firearms in the first four months of 2024, according to one analysis, and nearly half a million of those — 429,664 — were sold in Florida. Together, Florida, Texas and California (340,903) accounted for 22% of all firearms sold through April 2024. [Source: Daytona Beach News Journal]
Disney and DeSantis reach agreement, ending protracted fight
Walt Disney World is set to get up to $17 billion in new construction and investment in the next 10 to 20 years under a development agreement approved Wednesday night. The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District’s board voted unanimously in favor of the 15-year plan, garnering praise from business leaders who say it will generate jobs and draw more visitors to the region. More from the Orlando Sentinel, Reuters, and the New York Times.
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Tampa Bay business bankruptcies are surging past pre-pandemic levels
The rate of business bankruptcies filed in Tampa Bay is surpassing pre-pandemic levels after steadily rising over the last year. Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases filed by businesses in this region rose by 58% during the 12-month period ended in March compared to the same period last year and 12% over the same period in 2019, according to data compiled by the administrative office of the Federal Judiciary.
› Tallahassee post offices suffer from lack of oversight, poor conditions, audits say
Leon County's post offices were slammed in audits conducted by the Postal Service's Inspector General that came after years of residents' complaints of missing and late mail. At the request of U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn, the Office of Inspector General was sent down to conduct comprehensive audits on several local facilities and take a look into the years-long mail delivery issues plaguing Florida's capital.
› US Soccer's draw versus Brazil brings record Florida crowd
Orlando got a sports business victory of its own after hosting the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team's match against Brazil. The June 12 match at Camping World Stadium — which ended in a 1-1 draw between the two teams — came as the game set a Florida attendance record for the men's or women's U.S. national teams with 60,016 fans in the stands. The prior record was 52,033 in June 7, 2014, against Nigeria in Jacksonville.
› Tropicana, Fort Myers citrus firm sign new deal — with 33% price hike
Fort Myers agricultural and land management company Alico Inc. has signed a new three-year deal to supply citrus fruit to its largest customer: Tropicana. The agreement, according to a statement from the publicly traded company, is effective June 5 through July 31, 2027.
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› Tallahassee City Commission to approve as much as $3.4 million in settlement claims at next meeting
The Tallahassee City Commission is poised to approve three legal settlements at its next meeting that could cost the city as much as $3.4 million. The Florida Department of Transportation, a resident and a business are seeking relief from the city for damage caused by roadway accidents and sewage spills within the last two years.
› North Port readies referendum to ask voters to allow city to borrow without asking public
North Port city staff will start crafting a referendum to ask voters to loosen the purse strings to allow the officials to borrow some money without a public approval. Voters would still have to approve borrowing through bonds backed by property taxes. North Port is the only known municipality in Florida that does not have that ability to borrow without voter approval.
› Once-booming Big Storm Brewing faces eviction, lawsuit and closures
Big Storm Brewing, a Clearwater company growing quickly in recent years — with splashy headlines to back it up — was hit by two legal actions in the past few weeks that raise questions about how it is operating and its financial decision making. The two actions were filed within a few days of each other and follow a year in which the company already closed two locations.
› Plastic purifications company PureCycle moves to Jacksonville
A company developing a process that purifies recycled plastic products is now headquartered in Jacksonville, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing. PureCycle was headquartered in Orlando but now lists its principal office address as 4651 Salisbury Road near Butler Boulevard and Interstate 95. That address is the Quadrant at Southpoint I building. The company is working to commercialize its recycling process at a plant in Ironton, Ohio.