Child care challenges cost Florida billions, report finds
Florida’s economy loses more than $3.3 billion annually due to working parents missing work and over $9.8 billion in lost income from parents leaving jobs because of child care issues, Florida TaxWatch’s updated report states. These numbers reflect a sharp increase from 2022, when estimated losses were $1.5 billion and $5.6 billion, respectively. The report highlights the ripple effects of inadequate access to affordable child care, including lower workforce participation, higher employer turnover costs and reduced tax revenue. More from Gulfshore Business and Florida Politics.
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Passion plays
Credit unions have spent years marketing themselves as alternatives to major banks. “It’s not been easy,” says Tropical Financial Credit Union CEO Rick Shaw. “I mean, people don’t know what a credit union is.” That’s why, mere months after moving up from CFO to CEO in 2022, Shaw inked a sponsorship deal making Tropical Financial the official credit union of the Florida Panthers hockey team. The hope is that fans’ passion for their team translates into positive feelings for the team’s “official” sponsors. More from Florida Trend.
How this organic farm became one of Manatee County’s biggest players
It’s a rainy summer day at Gamble Creek Farms, and Ed Chiles wants to talk about soil. Chiles, the son of former Gov. Lawton Chiles, is one of Manatee County’s most notable restaurateurs. He opened The Sandbar on Anna Maria Island in 1979 and spent the next four decades revitalizing the area, first with his eateries (he later added Mar Vista and The Beach House) and then with other projects aimed at making that slice of the Gulf Coast vibrant and sustainable. And now, after selling his restaurants in 2024, he’s turned his attention toward Gamble Creek Farms. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Broward teachers to decide fate of union in long-awaited election
The Broward Teachers Union is facing a long-awaited vote to determine whether the group can still exist. The vote for recertification comes two years after a state law left it more challenging for public-employee unions to keep operating. The union president says she feels confident the group will see an election win. The Broward union’s ballots, which were mailed to all teachers, will be counted Monday. A majority must vote in favor of the union in order for the group to continue. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Sludge could add $1 billion to St. Johns River cleanup cost
Communities around the St. Johns River may face expenses topping $1.1 billion to clean phosphorus pollution in the river caused by sludge spread on farmland far upstream, an environmental nonprofit’s report released July 10 said. The algae-feeding pollution has become a lasting worry for the river’s health since a 2013 change in state rules triggered increased sludge-dumping in the St. Johns upper basin, around Brevard and Indian River counties. More from the Florida Times-Union.
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Business Beat - Week of July 11th
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Florida Dining
Food trucks in the Keys and Kendall are named among the best in the country
A food truck in the Florida Keys was just named among the top 10 best food trucks in the country — and two other food trucks from Key Largo and Kendall made the top 100 list, too. Yelp recently released its annual list of the Top 100 Food Trucks in the U.S., and Mike’s BBQ 101 in Key Largo was ranked no. 9, the only Florida food truck to crack the top 10.
» Read more from the Miami Herald.