Tuesday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 7/28/2015

At $14 billion, beer is big business for Florida

Florida loves a cold brew — a lot, according to a new study that says beer pumps $14 billion into the state's economy every year. The beer industry accounts for more than $5 billion in wages and benefits for more than 125,000 jobs in the state. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Reports from the Beer Institute and America's Beer Distributors:

Economic data on the impact of beer in Florida
Tax data for beer sales in Florida
The whole study: Beer Serves America

Sarasota lauded as retirement mecca

Sarasota, which already shows up on more best-city lists than some residents would prefer, made another one on Monday. In its August edition, Kiplinger's Personal Finance places the community squarely at the top of an unnumbered list of “10 Great Places to Retire in 2015.” More at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Marina broker scores big in hot South Florida market

Julie Fisher-Berry never set out to arrange some of the biggest property deals in South Florida's marine industry. But following her father's footsteps into real estate and pursuing her passion for the water, she's developed a specialty selling marinas and boatyards that now is paying off. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Shipt to deliver Publix groceries in Tampa Bay Area

Publix shoppers from St. Petersburg to Brandon soon will be able to have their groceries delivered to their front door. Shipt — an on-demand, app-based grocery delivery service — is set to expand into the Tampa Bay market. More at the Lakeland Ledger.

Hispanics’ population rises, but their home ownership doesn’t

They make up the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population, yet Hispanics are increasingly locked out of home ownership because of tighter lending standards that rely on outdated measures of creditworthiness. More at McClatchy.

Environment
Florida leads nation in property at risk from climate change

Florida has more private property at risk from flooding linked to climate change than any other state, an amount that could double in the next four decades, according to a new report by the Risky Business Project. By 2030, $69 billion in coastal property in Florida could flood at high tide that is not at risk today, the report found.

» More from the Miami Herald

Consumer Alert
IRS impersonation scam strikes again

The IRS impersonation scam is one of the most persistent cons out there. It reappears every few months, and this summer it's back with a vengeance. BBB has received numerous complaints about aggressive calls by fake IRS agents.