As the insurance crisis spiraled, did Florida bury consumer complaints?
In an extraordinary criticism of one state agency by another, Florida’s Office of Insurance Regulation told legislators that a department led by then-Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis may have buried thousands of complaints Floridians made against property insurance companies. Patronis’ office referred 5.2% of the property insurance complaints it received over a five-year period to regulators for possible violations of state law. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Business Beat - Week of April 4th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Column: Florida business industry needs clarity on hemp regulation
Florida’s 2025 legislative session is underway, and once again, lawmakers are discussing hemp regulation. The Florida House recently has concluded its Combined Workgroup on Hemp and legislation has re-emerged to address many of the concerns Floridians have regarding the intoxicating hemp products currently on the market. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
‘Perfect storm.’ Hundreds of South Florida condos now on secret mortgage blacklist
A secretive quasi-governmental condo blacklist is growing exponentially, making it difficult for owners in scores of troubled buildings in Miami and South Florida to sell or get loans for repairs even as their associations face a fiscal and time crunch to meet stringent new state safety regulations. The number of local condos on the list, which is maintained by federally chartered mortgage finance corporation Fannie Mae, has more than doubled in the past two years, according to new data released by a law firm that has been tracking it. [Source: Miami Herald]
Study: Agriculture will continue to be a big economic driver in Southwest Florida
The roots of agriculture run deep in Southwest Florida. It's a big economic driver in the five-county region that includes Lee and Collier counties. In fact, agriculture has often been described as one leg of the three-legged stool that props up the local economy. The other legs being tourism and construction. The agriculture industry, however, faces myriad challenges. [Source: USA Today]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Palm Beach County offers up to $100,000 for first-time homebuyers
First-time homebuyers could expect up to $100,000 in assistance to get their dream home in one of South Florida’s growing counties. Palm Beach County’s Department of Housing and Economic Development has announced the availability of State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) funds for its Purchase Assistance Program. The program will provide up to $100,000 to help income-eligible first-time homebuyers with costs associated with acquiring their first home, including acquisition, new construction, down payment and closing costs.
› St. Petersburg approves $22.5 million for new Tropicana Field roof
City Council members voted Thursday to approve replacing Tropicana Field’s roof shredded by Hurricane Milton last year. The city will spend $22.5 million for a new teflon-coated fiberglass roof, made of the same material as the original. It’s about half of the total estimated cost to fix the stadium, tallied in November at $55.7 million.
› Broward County orders retailers to recycle lithium-ion batteries
Big-box stores and some smaller retailers will be required to give customers a chance to recycle used lithium-ion and similar batteries under a new rule passed by the Broward County Commission this week. The batteries, which are used in electronic devices including laptops, digital cameras, portable power banks, power tools and hoverboards, pose a danger if they’re not disposed of properly.
› After back and forth acquisitions, Southeastern Grocers will retain some Winn-Dixie stores
A consortium of private investors purchased Southeastern Grocers in February, bringing some of its Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket stores back from Aldi, which initially purchased them about a year ago. Southeastern Grocers asserted "a renewed momentum to [reinvest] in the store fleet and build new stores in high-growth areas."
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› Space industry growth fuels $3.5B+ development boom in Palm Bay
The benefits of continued job growth along the Space Coast are beginning to trickle down to Palm Bay, where a building boom over the next several years is poised to transform south Brevard County. “It stems from all the growth in the rocket and space industry,” said Dix Developments founder/CEO James Dicks. “You've got thousands of engineers coming in who are making $150,000 a year and there's nowhere to live, so you’ve got to go further south. We are that next location for all these people.”
› Delray Affair expected to bring more than 500 vendors to Delray Beach
The Delray Affair is back for its 63rd year, this time with its footprint extended to Northeast Sixth Avenue. The event will attract more than 500 vendors to downtown Delray Beach from Friday, April 4 to Sunday, April 6. Booths will start in front of the Tennis Center at Northwest Second Avenue and stretch along Atlantic Avenue. The Delray Affair is presented by the Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce.
› 'To be continued': Judge nullifies GRU Authority referendum vote, rules city can amend charter
An Alachua County judge on Wednesday afternoon ruled that the Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority board can remain in control of the city-owned utility while also leaving the door open for a future referendum on the issue. Judge George M. Wright of the Eighth Judicial Circuit ruled to nullify the ballot initiative that passed overwhelmingly in November to delete the article of the city's charter that created the authority due to "misleading language."
› Jacksonville Orthopedic Institute says it is laying off 306 people, closing six locations
Jacksonville Orthopedic Institute Inc. sent a notice to state and local officials March 31 saying it is laying off 306 people as it closes six Northeast Florida locations and cuts employment at three others. In an April 2 statement, Baptist Health says it is part of a plan for JOI to restructure with a group of its physicians forming an independent practice.