Fewer people file for unemployment benefits in Florida, but claims rise in rest of U.S.

While fewer people filed for jobless benefits in Florida last week, unemployment claims unexpectedly rose across the rest of the U.S., signaling the country’s economic picture remains grim amid the COVID-19 epidemic. The Sunshine State saw 105,410 new claims for state and federal jobless benefits for the week ending July 18 — 27,421 fewer than the week before, the U.S. Department of Labor reported Thursday. [Source: Miami Herald]

Florida Trend Exclusive
COVID-19 opens ‘Pandora's box' of Florida businesses' privacy concerns

CSR Privacy Solutions, a Jensen Beach company that provides data breach prevention services and privacy compliance solutions for businesses, has been inundated with calls. Some have to do with the increase in ransomware and phishing attacks that have coincided with the shift to telework, says CEO Ross Federgreen — but COVID-19 has also opened up a “Pandora’s box” of privacy issues. [Source: Florida Trend]

Trump cancels Republican National Convention in Jacksonville

President Donald Trump is cancelling the Republican National Convention in Jacksonville, he announced Thursday during a White House briefing. Citing ongoing coronavirus concerns, Trump said, “The timing of the event is not right.” Trump said he huddled with his political team Thursday afternoon to go over the and the “drawings looked absolutely beautiful.” He contended that had a roster of speakers and thousands of people who “desperately” wanted to attend. More from the Tampa Bay Times and the Florida Times-Union.

Opinion: Florida faces potential “double whammy” this hurricane season

As Florida continues to re-open in a safe, smart and step-by-step approach, another potential challenge faces our state – hurricane season. Unfortunately, forecasters are predicting an active season, and in fact, this year marks the sixth consecutive year where a named storm has already appeared in the Atlantic before the season officially kicks off. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

100 Florida breweries could close in two weeks without help, Brewers Guild says

The Florida Brewers Guild says their industry is in serious trouble, and this week shared their plight in an open letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DPBR). Orlando craft breweries were among those pleading for the opportunity to re-open for on-premises consumption — or receive aid — in the face of executive orders that the Guild says leave many at a disadvantage. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Online shopping boosts AutoNation’s earnings during COVID-19 pandemic [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
A shift to online shopping during the COVID-19 pandemic, a sharp reduction in its labor force and a boost in the stock price of online vehicle marketplace Vroom helped AutoNation nearly triple its net income in the second quarter of 2020, according to financial results released Thursday.

› ‘It’s going to be bumpy.’ Spirit Airlines reports $144.4 million second-quarter loss [Miami Herald]
Florida’s failure to curb the spread of COVID-19 is hurting South Florida’s hometown airline, Spirit. The Miramar-based company reported a second-quarter loss this week of $144.4 million, or $1.81. per share, a long fall from the profit of $114.5 million reported during the same period last year. CEO Ted Christie warned of a bumpy road to recovery for the company.

› Sarasota company creates coin to commemorate canceled cruise [Business Observer]
Travel plans have been scrapped left and right during the pandemic. The cruise ship industry has been particularly hard hit, and the CDC recently announced an extension of its No Sail Order for cruise ships through Sept. 30. An area entrepreneur — whose business revolves around cruises — didn’t let a canceled cruise stop him from creating a product to commemorate one “Cruise That Almost Was.”

› Appeals court strikes down Miami Beach’s $20,000 fines for illegal vacation rentals [Miami Herald]
The steep fines the city of Miami Beach imposes on illegal vacation rentals is in violation of state law, an appeals court ruled Wednesday, affirming the opinion of a lower court and striking down what is considered to be the harshest fine structure any local government has imposed to crack down on short-term rentals.

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› Vacant land near Orlando airport sees explosive jump in value [Orlando Business Journal]
At first glance, it seems almost unthinkable that the value of raw land in Central Florida could increase more than 1,100% in a year. But that's what happened in 2019 to a 1,565.8-acre property called Vista Park northwest of State Road 528 and State Road 417 near the Orlando International Airport.

› South Florida home sales dropped in June, but pending transactions are up [Miami Herald]
Miami-Dade and Broward experienced a dip in year-over-year residential transactions in June. But it’s not all gloom and doom: Pending sales increased year-over-year, a sign of activity increasing since April. The total number of home sales decreased by over 20% in both counties, according to the Miami Association of Realtors June 2020 reports.

› Disney passholders save 30% on merchandise for a limited time [Orlando Sentinel]
For a limited time, Walt Disney World annual passholders are getting an extra discount. Under a new special, passholders save 30 percent on select merchandise through Aug. 14 at Walt Disney World Resort. To receive the deal, guests must present a valid annual pass and government-issued ID at the time of purchase. The discount is for personal use only.

› Kolter taps Premier Sotheby’s for new project at Quay Sarasota [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
The developer of Bayso, the 149-unit luxury condominium planned for Quay Sarasota, has named Premier Sotheby’s International Realty New Development Division as the exclusive brokerage. Kolter Urban said the 18-story Bayso will contain 11 two- and three-bedroom plus den floor plans ranging from 1,600 to over 2,600 square feet, and seven penthouse floor plans ranging from 2,500 square feet to about 4,000 square feet.