Bell set to ring on school tax ‘holiday’
Praised by retailers, derided as a gimmick by critics, Florida on Friday will start a month-long sales-tax “holiday” for back-to-school shoppers, along with eliminating sales taxes on other types of items. While Florida has held back-to-school tax holidays of varying lengths in most years, lawmakers this spring approved making it an every-August occurrence. More from the News Service of Florida.
Blue Spring reopens to swimmers after year-long closure
In time for mid-summer afternoons cooling off in the 72-degree water, Blue Spring State Park in Orange City has reopened its popular magnitude-one spring run — best known for hosting hundreds of wintering manatees — to swimmers, snorkelers, and tubers. The 13-month closure —from April 2024 to May 2025— allowed for shoreline stabilization and installation of a new boardwalk. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Miami school board considers proposal to open a private school on district property
Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the largest landowner in the county and the third-largest school district in the nation, may soon find itself in the private school business. Last week, the school board voted to explore a partnership with Barry University in which the district could lease land to the private university to create a kindergarten through 12th-grade private tuition-based school. More from the Miami Herald.
Apartments, other new construction help boost Brevard's property values, tax revenue
Nearly $2 billion worth of new construction projects entered the tax rolls this year, which will help boost property tax revenue for Brevard County and its 16 municipalities. Data compiled by the Brevard County Property Appraiser's Office shows that the 11 properties with the highest new construction values were apartment and other residential rental projects, led by Eden Heritage Lakes. More from Florida Today.
National law firm expands to Jacksonville
Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani opened an office in Jacksonville, bringing the firm’s national footprint to 86 offices across the U.S. Attorneys in the Jacksonville office will focus on commercial litigation, construction, employment, health care, insurance, entertainment and recreation. The firm also handles product liability and professional liability defense matters. More from the Jacksonville Daily Record.
Navigating local zoning, codes and ordinances for property’s highest and best use
Florida’s growing population has made available land ever more scarce. Local governments’ proactive steps to shape their communities has led to updates in master plans, new ordinances, more stringent staff reviews, and stricter code enforcement, which can often conflict with developers’ and property owners’ intentions. As a result, commercial developers seeking project approvals, local businesses applying for tax licenses, and residential property owners facing permitting or code enforcement issues, dealing with municipal or county regulations can be complex, costly, and time-consuming. [Sponsored report]
Business Profile
Miami company raises $20 million to build world's largest free water network
Hope Hydration wants to make water available to the masses – and reduce the single-use plastic waste that comes with purchasing bottles of water. Now, it has $20 million backing that mission. The Miami-based company raised the funding in a series A round led by water filtration firm Pentair, with participation from Burnt Island Ventures. The capital will be used to grow its manufacturing capabilities and enter new markets.
» More from the South Florida Business Journal.
Arts Business
Artists bring St. Pete Pier's 5th anniversary to life with new mural series
To commemorate the St. Petersburg Pier’s fifth anniversary, six local artists are painting murals that reflect the Pier’s past and present. The St. Pete Pier dates back more than 130 years, beginning in the late 1800s. The new Pier District, opened in 2020, reflecting the city’s next chapter: A blend of green space, recreation, dining and public art.
» Read more from WTVT.