Tuesday's Afternoon Update
Report: Florida on pace to swell into a $1 trillion economy
Florida's economy will continue to outpace the rest of the country for the next four years, pushing the state toward having a $1 trillion economy by 2018, according to the latest economic forecast from the University of Central Florida. Snaith said the Sunshine State is enjoying both rising job growth and home construction. The mix of aging Baby Boomers and a healthier jobs market in Florida "bodes well for continued population growth via the in-migration of workers and retirees," he said. Full report from UCF is here. Also read more at the Tampa Bay Times.
U.S. Supreme Court to weigh Miami predatory lending lawsuit
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to decide whether Miami can pursue lawsuits accusing major banks of predatory mortgage lending to black and Hispanic homebuyers resulting in loan defaults that drove down city tax revenues and property values. More from Reuters.
Crystal Cruises returning to Port Everglades in 2017
The luxury line Crystal Cruises is returning to Port Everglades, the Broward County seaport has announced. Two ships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, will be deployed on a series of eight fall cruises from Fort Lauderdale, starting October 2017 and running through December 2018. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Tech startup tests cellphone transponder on Central Florida toll roads
Central Florida has become the testing ground for a cellphone as toll transponder app by a San Francisco startup with nationwide ambitions. The PayTollo phone app would notify drivers when they are approaching a toll and give them the option to pay through their phone after their ride is over. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Panama City reports record bed tax numbers in April
More tourists than ever are coming to Panama City, according to the latest bed tax numbers announced by the Community Development Corp. (CDC). April’s revenues were up by 17 percent, which continues a trend of growth in 2016, according to CDC Director Jennifer Vigil. More from the Northwest Florida Daily News.
Energy
Gulf Power invests more Into wind energy
Pensacola-based Gulf Power has filed a petition asking the Florida Public Service Commission to approve adding 94 megawatts of wind energy from the Kingfisher Wind farm in Oklahoma. Gulf Power is already a leading purchaser of wind generation among Florida utilities.
» More from the Pensacola News-Journal.
Business Profile
Naples Humane Society is no. 1 in Florida
The Humane Society of Naples — which is not associated with the Humane Society of America or receive funding from it, said director of development Lois Taylor — is ranked the No. 1 shelter in Florida and No. 13 in the country by Charity Navigator, an independent charity evaluator.
» More from the Naples Daily News