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Thursday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Repealing the Jones Act could hurt Florida
While Democrats and Republicans from Florida are urging the federal government to do everything in their power to help Puerto Rico, they are also beneficiaries of a law that protects Florida’s shipping industry at the expense of the island. The law is the Jones Act of 1920, and it requires all goods shipped between U.S. ports to be transported by U.S. vessels (and operated primarily by Americans). Last week, President Donald Trump temporarily waived the Jones Act to provide faster relief as the island recovers from Hurricane Maria. But now, with discussons underway about a permanent repeal of the Jones Act, that puts Florida in a political quandary in a state with over 1 million Puerto Rican residents. [Source: Miami Herald]
Florida Trend Exclusive
Palm Beach County Portrait
Palm Beach County is home to 1.4 million residents, 65 global corporations, major research institutions and hordes of seasonal visitors. Assets range from an estimated 160 golf courses to some $2.7 billion in infrastructure projects. This portrait looks in-depth at economic drivers, vital statistics and demographics, business leaders to know, business infrastructure, and much more. Read the section in full, here.
Hurricane Nate could threaten Florida’s western Panhandle late this weekend
Newly-named Tropical Storm Nate is approaching the coast of Nicaragua could perhaps become Hurricane Nate as it brushes past the western portion of Florida’s Panhandle and the northern Gulf Coast late this weekend. Find latest tracking charts at the National Hurricane Center, and read more at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Filmed near Disney, 'Florida Project' shines bright light on hidden homeless
Kissimmee, Florida, is less than 10 miles away from that fairy tale promise of Disney. In the new film, "The Florida Project," it might as well be on another planet. Families nationwide are living below the poverty line and eking out an existence in cheap motels, but the problem is particularly acute — and ironic — in the shadows of Walt Disney World. More from the Orlando Sentinel, AP, and the Mercury News.
Florida Trend Exclusive
Florida's top assets
From BusinessFlorida.com: Few states can match Florida's boundless freedom, markets, potential, opportunity, innovation and the quality of life that are desired by all. Find out why KPMG, Amazon, ADP, Arthrex and GKN Aerospace were in the news recently for choosing Florida.
Coming tomorrow: Lists of economic development contacts, business incubators and venture capital firms in Florida.
› Tampa an early candidate to host '26 World Cup
The United Bid Committee announced Wednesday that Tampa is among 32 North American cities -- including 25 in the U.S. -- that have made the cut to potentially serve as a 2026 FIFA World Cup host.
› Poll shows two-thirds of Florida Hispanics disapprove of Trump performance
President Donald Trump is in trouble with Florida Hispanics, a group that’s long been largely in sync with Republicans, with a poll released Wednesday finding two-thirds disapprove of his performance. See the full poll questions and answers here (from Latino Victory Project/Latino Decisions) and more details about the poll here.
› Second Jacksonville event for Puerto Rican hurricane relief set for Saturday
The Puerto Rican-Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Florida, the Jax Food Truck Food Court along with Sleiman Enterprises are organizing a joint donation drive to provide relief to the victims of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.
› Grameen America will open micro-lending branch in Miami
The CEO of Grameen America announced this week that the micro-lending organization for women would be bringing its services by the end of the year to Miami-Dade County, an area with one of the highest poverty rates in the nation.
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