Florida Trend | Florida's Business Authority

Wednesday's Afternoon Update

Insurers curbing costs as health care costs rise

As health care costs rise in Florida, insurers and hospitals vested in the success of the Affordable Care Act are coming up with new ways to cut costs from buying services in bulk and piloting programs to lowering hospital readmission rates and limiting the number of doctors within a plan's network. More at the AP.


European demand shifts Miami condo market

Europe is emerging as a key driver of Miami-Dade's real estate. The region is second only to Latin America when it comes to home sales, and last year European investors accounted for nearly a quarter of all residential real estate purchases here by foreign buyers, information from the National Association of Realtors shows. More at Miami Today.


Tech incubator to launch at new downtown Orlando HQ

Business Profile

Beating the heat

hank bonar
Hank Bonar is one of the coolest business owners in Jacksonville, dealing a lot with Freon and liquid ammonia, a multi-decade operation, global commerce and millions of dollars.

He’s run Bonar Engineering and Construction since 1975. They have been the genesis of some of the largest and most complex refrigeration facilities not only in Florida, but in 33 states and in several projects globally, as well.

» Full story from the Florida Times-Union

A new business incubator for technology startups will celebrate its grand opening in Orlando's GAI Building today. Starter Studio is a new initiative of Envy Labs, a downtown app-development firm that already has a spinoff called Code School for developers. More at the Orlando Sentinel.


Alachua County more clearly bans human signs

The Alachua County Commission amended its sign ordinance Tuesday to more clearly define its prohibition of human signs -- an issue that sparked a federal court case earlier this year. While the code had prohibited human signs before, the amendments make that provision clearer. More at the Gainesville Sun.


Holland & Knight opens office in Mexico City

Holland & Knight, the Miami-based law firm, said Tuesday that it is expanding the firm’s practice, with the opening of a new office in Mexico City. Previously, the firm operated in Mexico through a joint venture established in 1998. More at the Miami Herald.

Special Report on Transportation
Snapshot: Local Rail in Florida

railWork is proceeding on tracks and stations for central Florida’s publicly funded $615-million SunRail commuter train, which is expected to begin service May 1.

Also, In July, Fort Lauderdale city commissioners agreed to tax downtown property owners to provide the last financing needed for construction of The Wave, a 2.7-mile, $142.6-million downtown streetcar rail line.

» Full story