July 12, 2020

Movers & Influencers

Personal promotions, transfers, board appointments, civic accomplishments and philanthropic activities for the week of July 6, 2020.

How Southwest Florida businesses are coping during the coronavirus pandemic

Your Southwest Florida business roundup for the month of June.

The Motwani family business's rise from motels to luxury hotels and condos

The Motwani family's first venture in Florida landed them in a fix — but ultimately on a trajectory they've ridden from mom-and-pop motels to luxury hotel and condo towers.

Todd Roberts invents a pen sanitization device: the CleanBlock

The manager of Orlando Health’s biorepository found inspiration at a doctor’s appointment in 2011 when the receptionist handed him a pen that a coughing patient had just used.

Gulf Power inspects power lines with new drone program

Regional business news from around the state, including Northwest Florida.

Remote learning in Miami-Dade County

Our Miami-Dade roundup spotlights how local officials were able to switch quickly to remote learning largely because of a $1.2-billion bond referendum, approved in 2012.

Higher property tax bills could bring more financial pain during coronavirus pandemic

Don't miss out on the latest in Florida real estate news in our weekly roundup.

USF's new president Steve Currall

Our June issue features USF's president who came to USF from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, where he was provost and vice president of academic affairs for three years.

A makeover for Port Canaveral

The Economic Backbone section of our May issue puts the spotlight on the transportation industry, including news about Florida's ports, airports and so much more.

Hard Rock Stadium's CEO pledges to reduce 100% of single-use plastics by 2022

Hard Rock Stadium CEO Tom Garfinkel announced the change last September after watching a “60 Minutes” report on an 80,000-ton mass of trash floating in the Pacific Ocean.

How Florida businesses are responding to employees during the COVID-19 crisis

Many employers in Florida like AHS Residential CEO Ernesto Lopes have stepped up during the coronavirus pandemic to take care of their employees. Others, whether because they lacked the financial resources or just the resolve, not so much.

Think small to get BIG results: How to get your first 1,000 customers

Wondering how to get your Florida business its first 1,000 customers? Florida Trend's sales and marketing coach Ron Stein shares the top four phases to a great launch plan.

Ed Massey is a Florida Icon

Ed Massey, 73, is the President of Indian River State College.

ECOncrete requires less energy to make and promotes healthy marine life

Our June issue profiles Florida businesses with a sustainability focus. ECOncrete co-founder Shimrit Perkol-Finkel says ECOncrete can be cast in ways that can promote the growth of marine life.

UCF/Valencia's downtown campus: Universities as community economic engines

Orlando's new UCF/Valencia downtown campus is at the leading edge of a trend that's seen universities become community economic engines.

Take-out food during the coronavirus crisis

Read how savvy restauranteurs are adjusting amid social-distancing across Florida in our May 2020 issue.

Kalera's hydroponic ‘Green' lettuce is a hit

Kalera's hydroponic lettuce farm makes growing predictable and sustainable.

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Florida Business News

Mail ballots headed to homes across Florida for August primary

Elections officials expect to see more people turning to mail ballots for the August primary and November general election amid the pandemic.

Minority, low-income Floridians hit hard financially by coronavirus, housing data show

Some experts worry that the pandemic will widen pre-existing racial gaps in homeownership and wealth.

Florida crosses 4,000 deaths and counts most deaths in a single day: 120

On Thursday, Florida crossed the 4,000-death threshold for the pandemic and logged the most deaths in a 24-hour period: 120. This also has been the state’s deadliest week so far.

Disney confident in reopening this week

Walt Disney World will reopen in Orlando, Florida on Saturday amid a growing number of Covid-19 cases within the state.

Florida will create a master plan for electric vehicle charging

A new state law requires the Florida Department of Transportation to come up with a plan to add more electric car charging stations along the state’s highway system.

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