Monday’s Afternoon Update

Proposed ballot amendments seek to lower Florida insurance costs

Property insurance costs are a top concern for many Floridians. Two different efforts to seek to address the issue by changing the state’s constitution. One is spearheaded by a group that launched a citizens’ petition campaign to get help for policyholders. Yet, not everyone agrees the proposal is “the solution.” More from WUSF.

New Benderson Business Park projected to bring 1,500 jobs

North Port and Sarasota County economic development leaders recently toured the second phase of Benderson Development’s North Port Business Park which could to bring 1,500 new jobs to the county's largest city. The tour of the first two buildings of a planned six-building campus – including a 73,000-square-foot space once used as a fulfillment center by Tervis Tumbler – came after the board of the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County held a morning meeting at the North Port branch campus of Sarasota Technical College. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Osceola residents see rural lifestyle at risk from road projects

Over two decades ago Jack Facente moved to his rural home on five acres in St. Cloud because he needed space and privacy for his milking business. But two planned road projects threaten to upend his business and the lifestyles of many of his neighbors — underscoring the price of progress in a fast-growing county where many longtime residents nevertheless cling to the way they’ve lived for decades. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Tallahassee's Black-owned business figure bests national average. North Port ranks near bottom

A national lender's survey says the number of Black-owned businesses in Tallahassee beats the national average. That same ranking places North Port in the bottom three of the country's top 100, and several other Florida cities in middle of the list. Tampa and Lakeland were tied at 42nd. Elsewhere in the state , Port St. Lucie and Orlando tied at 24th, Miami was 32nd, Jacksonville ranked 38th, Deltona at 57th, and Cape Coral at 66th. More from WFSU.

Florida hot spot won’t ghost Spring Breakers, but says follow rules

Spring Breakers are coming to Fort Lauderdale, one of the nation’s hot spots for the annual spring ritual that sees college students head for bikini-weather coasts in search of paradise. And Fort Lauderdale will be ready for them, city officials said Wednesday. Unlike Miami Beach, where local leaders have made it clear for the second year in a row that they are “breaking up” with Spring Break, Fort Lauderdale is embracing the Spring Break crowds. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

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