Tuesday's Afternoon Update
Hertz moves from New Jersey to Florida
Gray Swoope, President and CEO of Enterprise Florida (left) with Mark P. Frissora, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Hertz Holdings |
Hertz Global Holdings, the world’s largest airport/general-use car rental company, plans to move its world headquarters from New Jersey to southwest Florida. The company, which generates more than $9 billion in annual sales, will get $19 million in state and Lee County incentives to build a 300,000-sq.-ft., $50-million headquarters in Estero, south of Fort Myers. The move brings 700 jobs. According to Forbes, Hertz is the 1,068th biggest company in the world. CEO Mark P. Frissora owns two condos in nearby Naples. Read more from the AP and the Fort Myers News-Press. Read the press release from Hertz here.
See also:
» In depth report on the Hertz move
» Hertz brand an iconic thread through popular culture
» Fortune 500 Profile of Hertz Global Holdings
Scam targeting Florida utility customers
The Better Business Bureau is warning Floridians about a scam that targets utility customers. People and businesses have reported receiving phone calls in which someone claims their electricity will be turned off within hours unless an immediate payment is made with a prepaid debit card, such as the Green Dot Money Card. Full statement from the BBB is here.
South Florida casino revenues increase
As revenue for casinos continues to climb in Florida, one thing is clear: The gambling industry here is ripe for expansion, experts say. "There's more than enough population to support it. It's a deep market," said Carlo Santarelli, of Deutsche Bank Securities. "Quite easily, you could have half a dozen destination casinos across the state." More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Governor Scott Announces 2013 Governor's Sterling Award
Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Sterling Council today announced that the Pinellas County Tax Collector will receive the prestigious Governor's Sterling Award for 2013 and that Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces will be honored with the Sustained Excellence Award. Read more...
As states ban death penalty, Florida speeds it up
While other states move to abolish capital punishment, Florida lawmakers are taking an entirely different approach -- trying to speed up executions for death row inmates. More at My FOX Tampa Bay.