Thursday's Afternoon Update
30-year mortgages zoom up to 4.46%
Thirty-year fixed home loans jumped more than half a percentage point in a week to an average 4.46 percent, the highest it's been in two years, Freddie Mac said Thursday. In fact, the jump was the steepest weekly increase in more than 26 years. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Port Manatee fires CFO Armstrong
Robert J. Armstrong, Port Manatee's chief financial officer and deputy executive director, has been fired from his $149,000 a year job. Carlos Buqueras — Port Manatee's chief executive who recently promoted Armstrong to the No. 2 position at the facility — fired Armstrong Thursday morning by phone. More at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Irish firm places North American headquarters in Volusia
An Irish manufacturer of insulated-metal building panels said Wednesday it will establish a North American headquarters at an existing facility in Volusia County. The expansion of operations in DeLand by Kingspan Insulated Panels Inc. will generate 30 jobs, in addition to retaining 50 existing positions. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Universal Orlando buys Wet 'n Wild land
Universal Orlando has purchased more than 50 acres of land under and around the Wet 'n Wild water park. The giant theme-park resort, which has been aggressively expanding under new owner Comcast Corp., bought all of Wet 'n Wild's land plus several neighboring parcels of vacant and warehouse land. More at the Orlando Sentinel.
Gamblers ready to get on board Genting boat to Bimini
A ship that can scoot to Bimini and back twice a day will open for business next week, offering services that are illegal on dry land. Called Bimini SuperFast, the ship will transport up to 1,500 passengers to a new casino in the Bahamas. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.