Why South Florida's manufacturing industry is booming
One of South Florida’s best-kept secrets may be its manufacturing sector. With over 6,000 manufacturing businesses employing 100,000 people, the industry is proving to be a major economic driver in the tri-county area. Statewide, the fast-growing sector has the potential to have a greater economic impact than even the tourism, agriculture or transportation industries, according to Florida Commerce. [Source: South Florida Business Journal]
Business Beat - Week of March 7th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Got privacy? Florida seeks drug prescription data with names of patients, doctors
Florida’s insurance regulator has demanded an unusually intrusive trove of data on millions of prescription drugs filled in the state last year, including the names of patients taking the medications, their dates of birth and doctors they’ve seen. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation in January sought this information from pharmacy benefit managers like UnitedHealth’s Optum Rx and CVS Health’s Caremark, companies that oversee prescription drugs for employers and government programs. More from the Orlando Sentinel and Medical Xpress.
Some lawmakers express caution about full property tax abolition
The value of all the property in Florida has risen tremendously since 2021, from about 3.1 trillion to 4.9 trillion last year. So, the amount of tax money local governments have collected has risen too. But that increase hasn’t been felt as harshly by people who just own their primary home. In Florida, homeowners get tax exemptions on about $50,000 of the firs $75,000 of their primary home’s value. It’s called a homestead exemption. It doesn’t apply to second homes, or vacation homes. [Source: WFSU]
See also:
» DeSantis vows to eliminate Florida's business rent tax
Florida job-stayers see growth of 4.4% in February
Job-stayers in Florida who were with the same employer in the current month and 12 months earlier saw their wages increase 4.4% year-over-year in February, according to data from ADP’s Pay Insights report. The report captures wages from the same cohort of almost 10 million individual employees over 12 months. [Source: Gulfshore Business]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Naval Hospital Jacksonville cuts emergency room hours in half due to staffing shortage
Naval Hospital Jacksonville is cutting its emergency room service from around-the-clock availability to 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. while they try to fix a staffing shortage, a spokeswoman said this week. The reduced hours will start Monday, and hospital administrators are hoping to resume 24-hour service by summer, spokeswoman Julie Lucas said.
› DeSantis rejects management plan for Florida Keys marine sanctuary
A sweeping new management plan to address worsening conditions in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and in the works for more than a decade was rejected by Gov. Ron DeSantis this week over complaints that it limits the state’s sovereignty. In a one-page letter, DeSantis said the plan failed to pave the way for artificial reefs in state waters and stripped Florida of managing its own wildlife.
› Mixing business with personal? Miami's Flex raises $25M to fix that
Business owners juggle a thousand financial decisions every day, from managing cash flow to separating personal and company expenses. For many, the line between business and personal spending blurs, creating headaches at tax time and complicating financial management. That’s where Flex steps in.
› Impacts from red tide off Florida's Gulf Coast extend to Gainesville and beyond
As red tide devastates Southwest Florida’s coast, turning vibrant shorelines into graveyards for marine life, Gainesville residents are feeling the impact through higher seafood prices and supply shortages at local restaurants and markets. Environmentalists have urged Gov. Ron DeSantis to declare a state of emergency due to the lasting ecological and economic damage.
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› Miami Beach condo availability up 31% year over year
Miami Beach’s condo market continues to attract buyers as its desirable location and offerings entice many. Miami Beach is very desirable, said Berkshire Hathaway EWM Realty President Ron Shuffield. “We have so many people from all across the world that want to experience the beach, Miami Beach, in particular, South Beach, even more particularly."
› Moffitt becomes first standalone cancer center to open Nikon Center of Excellence
Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa has launched a Nikon Center of Excellence, a milestone that cements its leadership in cancer research and innovation. Harnessing advanced imaging technology and expertise, the partnership with Nikon — one of the world's top photographic equipment manufacturers — and its contract research arm, Nikon BioImaging Labs, aims to accelerate breakthroughs in cancer diagnostics and treatment.
› Leon Schools says it's in city's 'best interests' to stand down on fire service fee fight
The Leon County School Board's attorney responded to the city's notice seeking over $2 million dollars, cautioning the city that this isn't a fight it ought to pick. Two weeks ago, the city moved to enforce its contract with LCS, attempting to collect $2.3 million in reimbursement and cancellation fees from the school board to account for a breach in the parties' fire service agreement.
› Fort Pierce City Commission balks at $235,000 salary request from city manager choice
Richard Chess, the man chosen to be the new city manager here, is asking for too much money, city commissioners said Monday. Chess is asking for a $235,000 salary, an amount that could derail negotiation. Chess, Broward County's assistant general manager of transportation and finance, was selected Feb. 19 from among four finalists after a tumultuous process.