Floridian sentiment ticks upward along with national consumer outlook

Consumer sentiment in Florida ticked up for a second consecutive month in June to 69.3, an increase of two-tenths of a point from a revised figure of 69.1 in May. Meanwhile, national consumer sentiment rose 5.2 points. “The increase in June's confidence is largely driven by Floridians' anticipation of national economic conditions in the long run. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that Floridians' views on discretionary spending intentions have been trending upward and have reached their highest level since October 2021,” said Hector H. Sandoval, director of the Economic Analysis Program at UF’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research. [Source: UF News]

Why Florida has become a magnet for South Africa’s emigrant farmers

Recent data from the US Census Bureau reveals that approximately 33 000 South African-born individuals now live in that country, with the highest concentration being found in Texas, Florida, California, New York and Washington. Warm weather, diverse population, and a wide range of job opportunities make Florida an enticing destination for South African farmers. [Source: Farmer's Weekly]

Are Florida laws chasing university faculty away? Some see a ‘brain drain.’

The Tampa Bay Times reviewed records showing an upward tick in staff departures at some of Florida’s largest universities. And, as the Board of Governors discovered this spring, doubts about the state’s academic workplace are spreading fast. Matthew Lata, a music professor at Florida State University, told board members that candidates were turning down positions in his college “because of the perceived anti-higher education atmosphere in the state.” Talk of the phenomenon is everywhere, he said. “More and more often we are hearing ‘Florida? Not Florida. Not now. Not yet.’” [Source: Tampa bay Times]

Florida has 9 of the top 15 most overvalued housing markets in the U.S., study reveals

Florida remains the state with the most overvalued housing markets in the nation, according to a new study from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and Florida International University (FIU). According to research, prices have lessened month-to-month in many markets around the country, but markets remain significantly overvalued. [Source: CBS 12]

Former officers describe working in Florida prisons without A/C: ‘I thought to myself… this place is killing me’

For many prison reform activists, the need to do something about the lack of air conditioning inside state-run prisons is paramount. Those who speak out for action believe forcing a person to endure extreme temperatures while serving their sentence is inhumane. They add the situation has become more crucial as Florida’s heat index roars past 100 degrees. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

AdventHealth creates ER with groundbreaking patient experience, unique Disney touches

AdventHealth has opened the doors of a unique emergency room located near Walt Disney World Resort, bringing trusted emergency care and a first-of-its-kind patient experience for Central Florida visitors and community members, including Walt Disney World Resort guests and cast members. To commemorate this important milestone in the latest chapter of the alliance in which AdventHealth became the Official Health Care Provider of Walt Disney World Resort, as well as the Official Virtual Health Care Provider of Walt Disney World Resort, special guests – Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse -- participated in a recent ceremonial ribbon-cutting. [Sponsored report]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Gainesville utility revamp challenged [News Service of Florida]
Arguing that a new Florida law violates First Amendment and other constitutional rights, a non-profit group and Alachua County residents have filed a federal-court challenge to an overhaul of the electric utility in the Gainesville area. The group Gainesville Residents United and six individual plaintiffs filed an 88-page lawsuit Monday seeking to block the law (HB 1645), which Gov. Ron DeSantis signed last week.

› New Sarasota Living Arts Festival is rising toward November 2024 debut [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
In the two years since he stepped down as artistic director of the Players Centre, Jeffery Kin has been playing on a bigger stage, working to bring together as many Sarasota area organizations as possible to take part in a community-wide arts festival with major long-range ambitions. Kin has been meeting for months with arts leaders to get them involved with the Living Arts Festival being coordinated by Sarasota Rising, for which Kin serves as executive director.

› Orlando area issues more housing construction permits than other Florida metros. Here's why. [Orlando Business Journal]
This year, Central Florida has had more housing construction permits issued than the state's three other major metro areas. That's according to ongoing housing data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Below is a chart representing the new private housing unit permits in metro Orlando every month since 1988.

› Fort Myers hotels rank among nation's highest in negative reviews [Naples Daily News]
Nothing quite like being on vacation and coming to your hotel room to fully relax, only to discover a musky smell, no towels, and several little critters that joined you in your bed. A recent study by Planetware analyzed nearly 8 million hotel reviews from more than 9,000 hotels across 95 U.S. cities to determine the cities with the worst hotel reviews.

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› Autos to take back seat in downtown Miami transportation plan [Miami Today]
In a year or so a new transportation master plan should help speed more mobility in downtown Miami for the decades ahead. Automobiles take a back seat in the plan’s aims, with pedestrians at the forefront. A $170,000 study upon which to base the plan won unanimous Transportation Planning Organization approval with aims far broader than the most recent plan for the area, which was drawn in 2003 in vastly different times for a vastly different downtown.

› Toronto-based First Gulf plans $50 million investment in first U.S. industrial park in Westlake [Jacksonville Daily Record]
Toronto, Canada-based First Gulf expects to buy West Jacksonville property the first week of July to develop its first U.S. industrial park at an anticipated investment of more than $50 million. “We are exporting our industrial development platform, and we’ve chosen Jacksonville to be our first market,” said Roman Brailovski, First Gulf vice president of strategic initiatives and operations and the lead on its U.S. expansion, on June 27.

› Benderson Development plan calls for "adaptive reuse" of Sarasota County headquarters [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
The first move to redevelop the aging Sarasota County administrative offices in downtown Sarasota has been launched through a filing with the city's Development Review Committee, as the company that purchased the 5.3- acre site moves toward an "adaptive reuse" of the county's long-time headquarters. Construction crews may not be swarming the property until at least late 2025 as Sarasota County officials build a new county headquarters.

› These banks have closed the most Central Florida branches so far this year [WFTV]
Four national banks lead those that have closed or announced the closure of the most branches in Orlando this year. Banks have changed how they approach branches as more customers bank online. Vacant branch space can lead to new retail users or new development.