Skilled worker shortage could leave hurricane victims with a long road to home reconstruction

For anyone who needs to repair or rebuild a home or business, the back-to-back hurricanes coincided with a national shortage of carpenters, electricians, drywall installers and other skilled workers. Many construction workers left the industry after the housing bubble burst a decade ago and haven’t returned. More from the Daily Commercial and the AP.

See also:
» Beware of unlicensed contractors when making repairs
» Insurance agencies, consumers take stock of Hurricane Irma damage
» Attorneys general investigate thousands of Hurricane price-gouging claims
» Florida powers up after Irma — but long wait for some in Keys
» Most Florida attractions back to normal operations
» Images from space show Florida dark after Hurricane Irma left millions without power
» Hurricane's strike brought particular risks to the oldest
» Hurricane season has completely overwhelmed wastewater treatment centers in Florida

Florida Trend Exclusive
Grants: Funding Florida's Research

The National Science Foundation, which supports research and education involving science and engineering in non-medical fields, and the National Institutes of Health, the largest biomedical research agency in the world, provide funding for a number of projects statewide. Full story here.

» This article is part of Florida Trend's annual look at research and innovation in the Sunshine State, Research Florida.

HLB causes Florida citrus production to fall behind California

The devastation of the deadly tree disease huanglongbing has caused Florida to fall behind California in total citrus production for the first time in decades. The Golden State produced 3.9 million tons of citrus fruit in the 2016-2017 season compared to 3.5 million tons from Florida, according to a National Agricultural Statistics Service report. [Source: Capital Press]

How will Florida's restaurants regroup after Irma's devastation?

Florida is home to 39,000 restaurants that employ more than 1 million people and generate nearly $42 billion in annual sales. From small cafes in Little Havana to legendary steak houses in Tampa, they're all focused on getting back on their feet. [Source: Wine Spectator]

Businesses far from the devastation can feel storm's impact

Small businesses with customers or suppliers along the Gulf Coast and in Florida are feeling the financial impact from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Sales have dropped off as people and businesses prepared for the hurricanes, and are still down as everyone assesses and deals with the devastation left by the storms. [Source: AP]

See also:
» How to get financial help for a business or home damaged in Irma

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› $25 million in federal funding approved to repair Florida roadways [FOX4]
Governor Rick Scott has announced that the Federal Highway Administration has approved a $25 million Emergency Relief Quick Release Grant to repair Florida's roads and transportation systems.

› Sarasota Fairgrounds becomes mini city for electrical workers [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
“We want them out there, so we’ve got on-site sleeping arrangements for them and food, everything they need, so they can spend more time out in the field.” More than 21,000 electrical workers descended on Florida in the past week, part of the largest storm deployment of electrical workers in U.S. history, according to Florida Power & Light spokesman David McDermitt.

› More than $2 million raised for Florida First Coast Relief Fund [Jacksonville Daily Record]
Jacksonville’s business and philanthropic community has pledged more than $2 million to help with recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. The money will go to Florida First Coast Relief Fund, established in 2016 in the wake of Hurricane Matthew.

› Window firm launches Naples assistance center [Business Observer]
PGT Innovations, one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of residential impact-resistant windows and doors nationwide, has opened an assistance center in the Naples area to provide essential supplies, including generators, chainsaws and water, in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› As Florida recovers from Irma, several cities get go-ahead to host football games [CBS Miami]
For many residents in Florida, the past couple weeks have been a blur. Amid the misery in Florida caused by Hurricane Irma, the state still has places to play.

› Florida agriculture leader checks damage; pledges $250K [Business Observer]
Agriculture firm Alico, in assessing damage from Hurricane Irma to its properties and sites, has pledged $250,000 to local relief organizations. The Fort Myers-based company, in a Sept. 12 statement, says “cursory inspections yesterday indicate that substantially all of our trees remain intact.”

› Related Group arm may add housing atop Olympia Theater [Miami Today]
The aging and grandiose Olympia Theater in downtown Miami could get a new lease on life if Miami commissioners buy into a proposal from an arm of mega-developer the Related Group to rehab the theater and redevelop the residential units above.

› Portions of Central Florida declared federal disaster area [WFTV]
Officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Wednesday that Brevard and Polk counties have been declared a federal disaster area following the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.