Jobless claims dip in state, jump nationally
Florida had a slight dip in first-time unemployment claims last week, while applications nationally leaped to the highest total in nearly four years. The U.S. Department of Labor on Thursday estimated 5,624 initial jobless claims were filed in Florida during the Labor Day-shortened week that ended Sept. 6. That was down from 5,721 claims during the week that ended Aug. 30. The state has averaged 5,916 claims over the past four weeks. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Business Beat - Week of September 12th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Forecasters reduce predicted hurricanes in Atlantic, but risk to Florida remains the same
Forecasters have slightly reduced the number of expected hurricanes and named storms in the Atlantic this year following an “unusually quiet” period of activity during the peak of hurricane season. AccuWeather is now predicting 13 to 16 named storms and six to nine hurricanes, according to an update Thursday. Its previous forecast, issued in March, predicted 13 to 18 named storms and seven to 10 hurricanes. The estimated range of storms with direct impacts to the U.S. remains the same, however, at three to six. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and the Palm Beach Post.
Florida Trend Exclusive
Cooly efficient
A Florida man, John Gorrie, is credited with creating air conditioning 175 years ago by blowing air over ice. A different Florida man, Daniel Betts, says he has created a system that cools better and uses a fraction of the electricity as traditional air conditioners. Betts, founder and CEO of Boca Raton-based Blue Frontier, calls air conditioning “the most annoying load” because it comprises such a disproportionate share of power demand. Blue Frontier offers “a completely new way” of cooling that’s inspired by the way your body sweats to keep you from overheating. [Source: Florida Trend]
‘Continued success’: DEP finds Florida meets federal air quality standards for fifth year running
Florida has once again hit a milestone for clean air. For the fifth consecutive year, the state has met all federal air quality standards, according to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). That makes Florida the most populous state in the nation to hit those marks — a point DEP officials say is driven by Florida’s broad monitoring network and pollution controls. [Source: Florida Politics]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Jacksonville issues permit for $532.14 million ‘Stadium of the Future’ project
The city issued the biggest permit yet for the transformation of EverBank Stadium into the Jacksonville Jaguars “Stadium of the Future.” On Sept. 11, the city issued a permit at a project cost of $532.14 million for the “SOTF Stadium of the Future - IFC 3 Permit.” The AECOM Hunt Construction + Barton Malow joint venture is the construction manager.
› Judge throws out lawsuit against Orlando’s nightclub restrictions
A federal judge tossed a lawsuit Wednesday by a collection of nightclubs which complained they were unfairly targeted by the city’s crackdown on late-night alcohol sales. The clubs sued Orlando after city leaders implemented a permit system for selling alcohol past midnight, which was a way to crack down on the violence that frequently engulfed Orange Avenue on Friday and Saturday nights in the wake of the pandemic.
› Fort Lauderdale on the rise: New report shows how tech and finance combine to fuel economic strength
A district that encompasses less than 1 percent of the land mass of Broward County accounts for a third of the county’s economic output and a quarter of all jobs. That would be the 2.2-square mile Downtown Fort Lauderdale, the county’s leading economic engine supporting 224,000 jobs and driving a $43 billion annual economic impact.
› With nearly $1B tech budget, Raymond James names AI strategy leader
David Solganik, who has three decades of experience in data and analytics for some of Wall Street’s biggest banks, has been appointed head of AI strategy for St. Pete-based banking and financial services giant Raymond James. The role is a new one for Raymond James, which, officials say in a statement, has a $975 million annual technology budget.
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› Best grocery stores in the U.S.: See Publix's ranking in top 10
If you live in Florida, you likely know that Publix has a cult following here. The obsession with Publix has now spread to seven other southeastern states, with more than 1,400 locations of the Florida-based grocery store across the U.S. On Sept. 10, USA TODAY released its 10Best lists of the best grocery stores, grocery store bakeries and delis and grocery store rewards clubs in the U.S. Publix made the cut, landing on six of these lists.
› Seminole gives early nod to raising taxes for first time in years
In a budget meeting filled with dozens of residents and lasting more than two hours, Seminole commissioners on Wednesday gave preliminary approval to hike the county’s overall property tax rate for the first time in 16 years. The new proposed rate of $5.38 per $1,000 of a property’s taxable value would be a 10.2% increase from the current rate of $4.38. That means the owner of a home with a taxable value of $300,000 would see a jump of nearly $150 in their property tax bill next fiscal year, which starts Oct. 1.
› Kissimmee launches 'Business Boost 2.0' assistance program
The City of Kissimmee announced the launch of its Business Boost 2.0 grant program, to assist local businesses still facing lingering economic challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic. This program builds on the city's original "booster shot" funded by federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars that brought a number of relief programs under one umbrella to streamline the program, allowing business or resident seeking to retrain or upskill after pandemic-related job impacts to get different kinds of help from one source.
› Bain Capital-backed Tampa tech insurance firm names CEO
Ryze Claims Solutions, a national insurance claims services firm based in Tampa and backed by Bain Capital Insurance, has named a new CEO. Walter Leddy, with 20 years of leadership experience in the industry, is the new top executive. He will lead the company’s “continued expansion of (its) service offerings and continued investment in technology and innovation,” according to a release.