Imagining a post-pandemic Florida workplace: smaller, cleaner, with fewer coworkers

Permanent hand sanitizer stations won’t be the only change workers notice as they head back to their offices, hopefully later in 2021 as the coronavirus vaccine spreads across America. As offices reopen, they may look and feel much different. The pandemic has accelerated certain workplace trends and brought on a few new ones that might stick around for years to come. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Spending at Florida restaurants below pre-pandemic levels, new data suggests

Floridians are spending less at restaurants compared to pre-pandemic numbers. The findings are not terribly surprising, according to new research from the market analysts at Zenreach and Top Data. The group's report estimated sales at Sunshine State eateries for the last two weeks were 11% below numbers in January. Florida ranked among the lowest in the nation, according to the data. [Source: WPTV]

Florida’s unemployment ‘quarter change’ returns; here’s what it means

A quarterly wrinkle of Florida’s unemployment system is about to return — and it could affect millions of dollars in federal benefits. Starting Friday, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity will once again require residents receiving state benefits to log into its unemployment system, CONNECT, and reaffirm that they’re also eligible for federal benefits related to the coronavirus pandemic. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Florida TaxWatch releases its 2021 Economic Preview Report

Florida TaxWatch (FTW) today released its 2021 Economic Preview: An Uncertain Yet Hopeful Year of Growth. Floridians have plenty of reason to be cautiously optimistic as the state’s economic picture in 2021 appears mixed and uncertain. Although strong job creation will certainly aid Florida’s labor market recovery, personal income will not grow as rapidly for many families. [Source: Florida TaxWatch]

Florida COVID test sites will close for New Year’s

All state-supported COVID-19 test sites in Florida will be closed on New Year’s Day, according to the state’s Division of Emergency Management. You can still be tested on New Year’s Day, but choices are limited and might require you to do a bit more research than usual. If the site you plan to visit doesn’t require an appointment, check the locator before you go to make sure there weren’t any last-minute changes to its hours of operations during the holidays. [Source: Miami Herald]

See also:
» DeSantis says COVID-19 vaccine distribution will ‘ramp up’ after New Year’s holiday

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Melbourne-based tech giant L3Harris added 450 jobs in Brevard in 2020, despite pandemic [Florida Today]
Melbourne-based L3Harris Technologies Inc. has been a bright star in the local economy, adding 450 people to its local staff during 2020. The aerospace and defense technology giant now has 7,750 employees in Brevard County, up from 7,300 a year ago. It's part of a strong year for the company overall.

› South Florida auto group makes season bright for kids [WPLG]
For more than 40 years, the Craig Zinn Automotive Group has supported countless charities in South Florida. In spite of a global pandemic, this year the automotive group went above and beyond to bring joy to hundreds of deserving kids through a holiday toy and gift card event at all five of its dealerships.

› The weird world of Disney: Some wild things happened in 2020 at the theme parks [Orlando Sentinel]
Guests attacking security guards. A drone flying over an empty Magic Kingdom and a Discovery Island trespasser. Even someone with a fake badge pretending to be a Drug Enforcement Administration agent. These are some of the strange headlines that emerged in 2020 at Orlando’s theme parks.

› These beloved Miami stores closed in 2020. Sad as it was, it could have been worse [Miami Herald]
In an ever-changing city, retailers often come and go. But 2020 was an unusually cruel year, as COVID-19 slowed in-person shopping. With rents already high, some of the city’s best loved shops shuttered their doors forever. The carnage could have been far worse. Many shops that feared they’d be gone by summer credited a combination of government aid and landlord assistance for their survival of this strange and awful year.

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› VA buys 21 acres for North Jacksonville outpatient clinic [Jacksonville Daily Record]
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs bought 21.06 acres for $8,424,000 in North Jacksonville for an outpatient clinic that was announced in September. Jacksonville VA OPC LLC bought the land from Second Time Signature LLP and Duval/Owens Signature LLP, both led by Stephen Leggett, on Dec. 22. The deed was recorded Dec. 30 with the Duval County Clerk of Courts.

› Experts become focus in court battle over Florida gun law passed after Parkland massacre [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
A legal battle over a Florida law that raised from 18 to 21 the age to purchase rifles and other long guns has ramped up this month, with attorneys for the National Rifle Association and state officials trying to discredit each others’ expert witnesses. The age requirement was included in a sweeping law passed in the weeks following the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.

› Henry Flagler's retirement plan: develop Florida's east coast [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Flagler, who is considered one of Florida’s greatest pioneers, knew a lot about the press. He was one of the founders of Standard Oil in the 1860s — along with John D. Rockefeller — and the company was certainly one of the most controversial and prosperous to have ever existed. Think of it as the amazon.com of the 19th century. However, Flagler’s road to incomprehensible wealth with Standard Oil, and eventually his railroad and hotel empire in Florida, was not an easy one.

› Miami, the Newest Tech Hub? Mayor Hopes Entrepreneurs Relocate to the 305 [NBC Miami]
Can Miami become the next Silicon Valley? COVID-19 brought more remote-working opportunities as well as an exodus of venture capitalists and tech entrepreneurs out of the San Francisco Bay Area. Many are considering a move to the Magic City, others have already packed their bags. “It was really just a no-brainer,” said Angela Benton, founder and CEO of tech company Streamlytics. She’s now relocating to Miami after a series of tweets between Mayor Francis Suarez and tech entrepreneurs sparked renewed interest in bringing innovative companies to the city.