Hurricane Irma’s major economic toll on Florida takes shape

Hurricane Irma left Florida days ago but the state’s economy, the fourth-largest in the U.S., is feeling the hit. Losses in agriculture, the state’s second largest industry after tourism, are expected to be in the billions of dollars, according to the Florida Farm Bureau. [Source: Wall Street Journal]

See also:
» Hurricanes Irma, Harvey will have a significant negative impact on third-quarter GDP growth
» Orange growers are devastate by Irma
» Hurricane Irma aid ranges from waived credit-card fees to foreclosure delays
» As more storms loom, Florida tries to make room for more water
» Keys homes, battered but standing, may be a model for reducing damage in Florida

Florida Trend Exclusive
Florida Icon: Wilson Bradshaw

The former president of Florida Gulf Coast University shares stories and lessons learned from a life in academia. “When I talk to young people today, and I tell them about attending segregated schools when I was growing up in West Palm Beach, they kind of gasp...” Read the full interview with Bradshaw, here.

Irma pushes Florida's poor closer to the edge of ruin

Fleeing Irma wasn't an option for those who lacked transportation to get to a shelter, couldn't afford gas to drive north and couldn't rent a hotel room. The likely costs associated with cleaning up or finding a new place to live pushed them closer to the edge than ever. [Source: AP]

See also:
» In this Florida city, Irma took their jobs as well as their homes
» Irma's cost to Florida already exceeds Matthew's
» State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces hotline, plans to prosecute Irma-related crimes
» Tech companies find ways to use platform's services to assist during Irma

Trump praises Irma response, then shifts to politics in Florida

President Donald Trump met with federal and state leaders in Florida on Thursday as he surveyed damage from Hurricane Irma and praised the rapid response of the recovery effort. Trump quickly injected politics into the visit, telling reporters that he was hopeful that Rick Scott, a two-term GOP governor, will challenge a Democratic senator next year. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Worker morale a hidden cost for employers after Hurricane Irma

The fallen trees, the water, the downed signs are just the most obvious effects of Irma. Paul Fadil, chair and professor of management at University of North Florida’s Coggin College of Business, said the major hidden business cost of an event like Irma is simply employee morale. [Source: Florida Times-Union]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› World Rowing Championships still a go for Sarasota County [Sarasota Magazine]
The show must go on, even when a hurricane comes barreling into town—and in this case, the show is the 2017 World Rowing Championships, which will be held at Nathan Benderson Park from Sept. 23 to Oct. 1

› Tips for keeping your company up-to-date with technology, from Premier Eye Care [Sponsored Report]
Given the technology-related challenges, how do companies adapt without losing focus on delivering quality customer service every day?

› SeaWorld's new board chair named [Press Release]
SeaWorld named its new board chairman this week after shareholders ousted the previous leader. The board of directors elected Yoshikazu Maruyama to take over beginning Oct. 9, according to a news release from the company. Also read more at the Orlando Sentinel.

› Bradenton developer honored for sustainability [Business Observer]
The U.S. Green Building Council named Koral and Gobuty Development Co. LLC of Bradenton an outstanding single-family developer. Koral and Gobuty Development, which developed the 55-plus Bradenton community of Mirabella, tied with John Marshall Custom Homes of Davidson, N.C. for the award.

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› As Irma Recedes, Boat Owners Begin to Assess Damage [Wall Street Journal]
Boats are a particularly large force in Florida, which had 889,350 registered recreational boats in 2015, more than any other state. The marine industry generated $15.3 billion for the state’s economy in 2015.

› Will Hurricane Irma slow Tampa Bay's booming real estate market? [Tampa Bay Times]
Even in its weakened state, Irma caused plenty of misery in the Tampa Bay area. But the Category 3 winds and epic storm surge never materialized, sparing most homes major damage and easing fears that the area's real estate market could face a calamitous setback.

Florida's Movers & Influencers See some of Florida's top executive moves, board appointments, civic accomplishments, and more at Florida Trend's Movers & Influencers. Each profile appears in three places: in a weekly eNewsletter, online at FloridaTrend.com and in a monthly print issue of Florida Trend. Read more here.

› Florida court deadlines extended due to Irma [AP]
Under Florida's court rules, the chief justice has authority to extend deadlines on a county-by-county basis or by appellate district when an emergency like Irma hinders public access to the courts system.

› One Spark delays registration for innovation festival again due to Hurricane Irma [Florida Times-Union]
Registration was supposed to end last week,t hen extended to Wednesday for creators who want to display their startup concepts at the festival. But since Irma created such chaos on the First Coast, organizers of One Spark say potential creators have until midnight Saturday to register.