Hurricane season could get ‘interesting’ in September. Here’s why.
Peak hurricane season is here, and though forecasters see a lull for the next two weeks, they also said things could get “interesting” by mid-September. There are several key forces at play, from Saharan dust dissipating to extra hot sea-surface temperatures in the Caribbean. A potential La Niña would make storms even more likely. As the season progresses, it’s normal for the Caribbean to become the source of more storms. “Caribbean storms were normally an October phenomenon,” said Fox Weather hurricane specialist Bryan Norcross, “but we’re seeing Caribbean storms in September lately.” [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Business Beat - Week of August 29th
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Our best shot to save Florida reefs? An industrial factory making heat-hardy babies
When Andrew Baker looks out at the vacant lot next to his office on Virginia Key, he doesn’t see the trees or grass that are there now. He sees a factory of the future. One story tall, roughly the size of half a football field. A high-efficiency production line designed not for electronics or auto parts — but for coral. Such a facility would be unprecedented leap forward in reef restoration. Within four or five years, it could be up and running, as most of the necessary scientific foundation has already been developed and the work force is already being trained. [Source: Miami Herald]
TaxWatch seeks permanent Florida DOGE efforts
Florida TaxWatch is calling for annual efficiency efforts to be enshrined in statute. The business-oriented nonpartisan group points to earlier such efforts, like in 2006 when Florida voters added to the Constitution an efficiency task force to convene every four years, and, earlier this year, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ creation of a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). [Source: Florida Phoenix]
Florida cities lead nation in canceled home sales as market cools
Orlando’s housing market is showing signs of cooling, with home-purchase cancellations ranking among the highest in the nation. In July, 18.2% of pending home sales in Orlando were canceled — well above the national average of 15.3%. Orlando isn’t alone. Other Florida metros also saw elevated cancellation rates in July. These figures reflect broader trends in Sun Belt cities, where rapid construction has expanded housing supply and given buyers more choices. [Source: Orlando Business Journal]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Key West’s giant buoy will vanish for a year. Here’s when a substitute will open
Key West has set a date for the Southernmost Point Bouy swap. Starting Thursday, Sept. 4, a new temporary Southernmost Point Bouy replica will be ready for your Instagram selfies on the ocean end of Duval Street Pocket Park at 1400 Duval St. The statue of Bishop Albert Kee, once located near the original buoy, will be placed at the entrance of the park. The temporary replacement of the island’s most-photographed landmark is happening for a simple reason: The intersection of the Southernmost Point Plaza a block away needs major repairs.
› NOAA proposing 20-year lease at Tallahassee International Airport
A new 20-year lease proposal between Tallahassee International Airport and the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, goes before city commissioners at their Sept. 3 meeting. The new lease, which would generate $334,920 in revenue, allows NOAA to use approximately 1.43 acres of the airport's property.
› ‘Agrihood’ could be revived in St. Johns County
The fight to develop an “agrihood” in St. Johns County isn’t over. A special magistrate ruled the county unreasonably denied a rezoning request that would allow up to 3,332 homes west of Interstate 95. Jacksonville Today thanks our sponsors. Become one. In a report issued Aug. 19, Special Magistrate and former Circuit Court Judge J. Michael Traynor found the county’s 2024 denial of Robinson Improvement Co. LLC’s planned unit development application unfairly burdened the company’s property rights.
› Manatee’s housing market becomes more ‘balanced,’ report says
According to the Realtors Association of Sarasota and Manatee, the market has cooled compared to 2024 but is stabilizing month-to-month. While prices have fallen and buyers have more negotiating power with homes taking longer to sell, there is a slowdown in inventory growth to indicate a more balanced market, the report said.
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› Hialeah mayor promises property-tax cut, despite city’s troubled history
As Hialeah prepares for elections this fall, interim Mayor Jacqueline Garcia-Roves, campaigning to remain in office, is promising to lower property taxes, a bold political move that in the past has plunged the city into financial distress. The proposed cut could save residents an average of $306 in the next fiscal year, or about $25 per month. It would also reduce the city’s revenue by an estimated $1.3 million.
› Leesburg to replace shuffleboard courts with housing for at-risk youth
Leesburg will shut down the city’s popular shuffleboard courts and hand the land to a nonprofit to build housing for homeless and at-risk young adults. After more than an hour of emotionally charged public comment from supporters of each endeavor, the commission voted 6 to 1 this week to donate the land.
› Wisconsin bank moves into Southwest Florida with $6M investment in branches
A $2 billion Wisconsin bank — delivering on a promise its founder made some 20 years ago — is making a multimillion dollar investment in Southwest Florida, with two branches in Cape Coral. The institution, Wausau-based IncredibleBank, opened its first branch in 2024 in Southwest Cape Coral. It then held a groundbreaking this week for construction on another branch, in Northeast Cape Coral.
› Embraer reaches milestone 2,000th business jet delivery
Embraer Executive Jets has reached a milestone with the delivery of its 2,000th business jet. The celebrated aircraft, a super-midsize Praetor 500, was handed over to an undisclosed corporate flight department from the company’s global customer center in Melbourne, Florida.