Thursday's Afternoon Update
Florida foreclosure rate again No. 1; and it’s not all bad
Florida reclaimed the title of America’s foreclosure capital last month, but it’s partly because of a positive development: Lenders are taking more homes to foreclosure auctions, the real estate analytics firm RealtyTrac says. A rush of home investors has created a strong market for foreclosed homes, which is encouraging lenders to sell them through clerk of court auctions. More at TBO.com.
See also:
» Foreclosure auctions jump in South Florida
» Orlando has uptick in number of homes entering foreclosure
» Judicial States Working Through Huge Backlog of Distressed Properties
Visit Jacksonville calls on businesses to "Bring It Home"
The stage was surrounded by sparkling settings, flashy videos on big screens and slick and choreographed speeches, as Visit Jacksonville honored local businesses and leaders who helped draw more tourists to the area in the past year. There was a bit of cheerleading, but also a serious urging for community leaders to do more. More at the Florida Times-Union.
Medinas to receive Hispanic business award
Rafael and Luisa Medina, the couple behind one of Central Florida's best-known Hispanic grocery stores, will be honored with the Don Quijote Lifetime Achievement award. Given by the Hispanic Business Initiative Fund of Florida Inc. and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando, the Don Quijote awards honor business excellence and service among Central Florida's Hispanic community. More at the Orlando Sentinel.
Florida’s ban on net fishing near shore debated again
Most Floridians probably have thought little about restrictions on net fishing in Florida’s Atlantic and Gulf waters that took effect 18 years ago under a state constitutional amendment approved by 72 percent of voters. But several commercial fishers in North Florida have never stopped fighting the netting laws in state courts. More at the Miami Herald.
IKEA to build South Florida's largest solar array
South Florida will soon get its largest solar array, 4,620 panels installed on the roof of a new IKEA store set to open in the Miami area next summer. The array will keep the Swedish furnishings retailer — which also has solar panels on its stores in Sunrise, Tampa and Orlando — as the largest non-utility owner of solar energy in the Sunshine State. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.