USDA approves Florida citrus hurricane recovery funding

The federal government will provide $340 million to help Florida citrus farmers recover from Hurricane Irma. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the grant on Tuesday, nearly eight months after Irma struck the state causing more than $2.5 billion in damage to the state's agriculture industry. See the announcement from the USDA here. Read more at the AP and Southeast Farm Press.

Consumer sentiment in Florida increases for the first time since January

After two months of decline, consumer sentiment among Floridians increased six-tenths of a point in April to 98.1 from a revised figure of 97.5 in March. Among the five components that make up the index, three increased and two decreased. Full data and story from UF News, here. Also read more at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Workers' comp rates reduced after tax changes

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) has approved a 1.8 percent rate decrease for workers’ compensation insurance in Florida. The decrease was filed by the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) in a law-only filing resulting from the effects of the Federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, according to a statement from OIR. Also read more at the Insurance Journal and WJXT.

The PGA of America's next big move

In the coming weeks, the 100-year-old association is expected to announce that it is moving its national headquarters from its longtime home in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. A report last month indicated that the PGA was eyeing Frisco, Texas, but PGA of America spokesman Julius Mason says that a couple of bids are under consideration, including others in South Florida. [Source: Golf Digest]

Publix registers record sales

Publix on Tuesday reported its best quarter ever as it sold $9.3 billion worth of groceries and other goods from January to March and boosted sales by 6.8 percent. The Lakeland-based supermarket chain netted $680.3 million in profits, a 22.5 percent increase over the year before. See the statement, "Publix Reports First Quarter 2018 Results and Stock Price." Read more at the Orlando Sentinel.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Palm Beach County, Treasure Coast expected to have population boom in coming years [WPTV]
In the next decade, the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast could see a 25 percent to 35 percent growth in the population. Dr. Jerry Parrish, the chief economist at the Florida Chamber Foundation says it should come as no surprise as Florida's population continues to grow.

› SkillsUSA back in Pensacola, brings estimated $3.8M in economic impact [Pensacola News-Journal]
This year marks the 50th iteration of the 2018 SkillsUSA Florida State Leadership and Skills Conference — part of a program designed to promote workforce and industry opportunities for middle school, high school and college students.

› Lawsuit against Orlando law firm KEL could become class action [Orlando Sentinel]
A lawsuit against Orlando-based KEL law firm, which has changed its name to LawyerASAP, is moving to the class certification stage after the firm lost an appeal.

› Customs unit is the first line of defense at Jacksonville's port [WJXT]
Invasive animals and plants cost the United States about $138 billion a year in economic and environmental damages, according to the agency. It’s why Customs has special agriculture units in more than 300 ports across the country -- including in Jacksonville.

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› Push to make Orlando a hub for social enterprise gets boost with first class of entrepreneurs [Orlando Sentinel]
Because saving the world isn’t cheap, a small but savvy group of Central Floridians is training visionaries and humanitarians on a subject that’s sometimes foreign to them. Making money.

› Carnival could sail from Jacksonville through 2027 [News Release]
Carnival Cruise Line and JAXPORT, the port of Jacksonville, Florida, have reached an agreement to extend Carnival’s service from the port through at least May 2021, and potentially through 2027. “We are pleased to continue our longstanding partnership with Carnival into the next decade,” said JAXPORT Chief Executive Officer Eric Green.

› State is underfunding Broward courts in violation of Florida Constitution, judge rules [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
People using Broward County courts and the clerk’s office are getting poorer service than they deserve because the state is not budgeting enough money to run the system, a Leon County circuit judge has found

› Luxury pet daycare, boarding facility opens in Gibsonton [Tampa Bay Times]
Prepare to pamper your pets. Rowdy’s Pet Resort, a new luxury pet facility, opened Tuesday, offering doggy daycare and boarding. It is attached to the recently opened Family Animal Hospital.