Florida now permanently exempting sales tax on everything from batteries to bike helmets
New permanent, year-round sales tax exemptions have just gone into effect that are expected to save Florida consumers more than $160 million a year on products ranging from batteries to bicycle helmets. That's on top of the $217 million a year that consumers are expected to save from a back-to-school sales tax holiday that will occur every August. While beneficial for consumers, these exemptions will reduce state and local government sales tax revenue. More from Florida Today.
Duke Energy to sell part of Florida unit for $6 billion
Duke Energy said on Tuesday it will sell a 19.7% indirect stake in its Florida business to Brookfield Asset Management for $6 billion in cash, part of a broader push to boost infrastructure investments as electricity demand soars. Duke Energy Florida is a vertically integrated electric utility company that provides services to roughly two million customers across central and western parts of the state. The added $4 billion increase in the regional segment's five-year capital plan brings the total investment in the state to over $16 billion through 2029. More from Reuters and Morningstar.
Orlando sees organic growth as city celebrates major milestone
As Orlando celebrates 150 years of history, its mayor is looking forward to its future as a destination known for more than just theme parks. "We are much, much more than just tourism," Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer told FOX Business, adding that, over the last 20 years, the goal of the City Beautiful has been focused on diversifying the economy and adding high-quality jobs. More from FOX 35 Orlando.
American Magic partnership with global leader bringing boat production to Pensacola
Pensacola's relationship with American Magic is about to pay off. Nautor Swan − a global leader in yacht design and manufacturing − is collaborating with American Magic to bring boat production to Pensacola, positioning the region as a new hub for sailing innovation. The partnership was originally announced in January, but at that time it was not known where the boats would be built. More from the Pensacola News Journal.
Who’s buying new condos in Miami? How Latin American politics drives demand
For the major players in Miami’s real estate market, the big event this August isn’t in South Beach, Brickell, or even Florida. It’s a two-day expo in Buenos Aires. Many of the newest towers rising along Biscayne Bay are pitched and pre-sold in Bogotá or Brasília before most prospective buyers in Miami have even seen a rendering. Despite the ongoing turmoil over immigration policy in the United States, Latin American buyers are still a predominant force in Miami’s housing market, especially when it comes to new construction. More from the Miami Herald.
Out of the Box
This St. Petersburg woman is paid to bore people to sleep
Sharon Handy's podcast, “Boring Books for Bedtime,” has published more than 350 episodes and has been downloaded more than 12 million times since 2018. It wasn’t the very first podcast explicitly intended for listeners to drift off to, but it was one of the first. The genre has grown since.
» More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Entertainment
At 10 years old, Opera Orlando is on solid ground in new home
Gabriel Preisser is glad to see Opera Orlando on solid ground. And dry ground. The arts organization, led by Preisser, opens its 10th season this fall with a new place to call home. The new location is going to better position the company, with more room for rehearsals and youth programs. But it’s not just physical growth that Opera Orlando is experiencing; it’s financial and programming growth, as well.
» Read more from the Orlando Sentinel.