Florida Trend Exclusive
Florida flex work
Around 14% of Florida’s workforce worked remotely in 2023 — up from pre-COVID’s 6%, according to state data. But return to office (RTO) mandates are on the rise. Tampa-based president and CEO Rick Hermanns of HireQuest — a global staffing and recruiting company — shared his perspectives on Florida’s evolving remote work trends and their business impacts. [Source: Florida Trend]
Business Beat - Week of August 22nd
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Column: Florida’s ocean economy depends on science
From sharks to plankton, ocean life matters deeply to Florida, which is home to one of the nation’s largest marine economies. More than half a million Floridians work in ocean-related sectors, generating over $20 billion in wages and contributing nearly $40 billion to the state’s gross domestic product. The biggest piece of that is tourism — an industry that depends on healthy beaches, coral reefs, mangroves and offshore waters. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Judge orders Alligator Alcatraz shut down in 60 days, says no more new detainees
A federal judge on Thursday barred the DeSantis and Trump administrations from bringing new detainees to Alligator Alcatraz and demanded the state scale down operations at the immigration detention facility within 60 days. U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams, in her 82-page ruling, prohibited the state and federal governments from sending more immigrants to the detention center, built on an airstrip on the edge of the Big Cypress National Preserve. She also told the state to remove all generators, gas, sewage, lighting, fencing and other waste items over the next nine weeks that helped transform the airstrip into a detention center, eventually rendering the site uninhabitable. [Source: Miami Herald]
Despite closures, some community orchestras in Florida find ways to thrive
Musicians throughout Florida have had to take their final bow in recent months as their community orchestras ceased operations. But others are playing a different tune. As community orchestras work to stay afloat, the Sarasota Orchestra is planning a major expansion, estimated to cost at least $375 million, that would provide performance space for other regional performing arts organizations. [Source: Business Observer]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Miami-Dade considers axing free ride service amid budget crisis. Riders protest
As Miami-Dade County Commissioners debated the proposed 2025-26 county budget, MetroConnect – an Uber-like service that provides free, short rides in areas of the county with limited transit options – remained on the chopping block. The move to eliminate the $11 million program comes as the county grapples with how to offset a projected $400 million deficit for next year.
› Why could Florida sell the Chassahowitzka River Campground?
For years, the Chassahowitzka River Campground has been the only place for out-of-towners to sleep overnight near the river. When the Southwest Florida Water Management District, a state government body that owns the campground, announced it would be closing it this fall for a potential sale, many residents were caught off guard. So were the people who manage the campground.
› JAXUSA president confirms that Sysco is the $90 million Project Moana
About a month after Sysco International Food Group Inc. bought vacant industrial land in Jacksonville and the code-named Project Moana received public incentives for an expansion in the city, Sysco was identified Aug. 21 as the company. On July 22, the city approved $2.5 million in incentives for the code-named project.
› Public Service Commission to review FPL settlement that scales back $10B hike; consumer groups still object
Florida Power & Light (FPL) has filed details of a four-year settlement agreement that would scale back what critics had called the largest utility rate hike in U.S. history. The deal, submitted Thursday to the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC), reduces the company's original request, which would have generated about $10 billion for the company, by about 30% while still allowing billions in new investment for Florida's power grid.
More stories ...
› Ribbon cut: New emergency response center in Central Florida
The Florida Division of Emergency Management cut the ribbon Thursday on an operations center in Polk County, placing more state disaster response resources in the middle of the state. The Florida Central Operations and Coordination Office opened as the division’s director, Kevin Guthrie, fended off comments suggesting the state hasn’t been preparing for hurricane season.
› Cross Bay Ferry service returning to Tampa Bay
The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority is searching for a ferry operator to bring back daily service from Tampa to St. Petersburg following the suspension of the Cross Bay Ferry last spring. The PSTA put out a request for proposals Aug. 5 seeking an experienced private passenger ferry firm to operate a more frequent, year-round service connecting Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. Responses are due by 10 am, Thursday, Aug. 28.
› Alachua County Health Department warns of increased mosquito-borne diseases in county
Alachua County announced in a press release on Aug. 20 that an increase in mosquito-borne disease activity has been detected in the county. Alachua County Health Department administrator Paul Myers spoke to The Sun via phone on Aug. 20 and confirmed that several sentinel chickens have tested positive for West Nile virus infection from mosquitos.
› Petition asks Publix to bring back Hurricane Cakes
As Floridians keep a close watch on hurricane updates and gather supplies in anticipation of potential storms, some yearn for the sweet comfort of the Hurricane cakes once sold by Publix Bakeries. The colorful confections were decorated to resemble a swirling storm. An online petition at Change.org is asking Publix to “Bring Back Hurricane Cakes.”