March 28, 2024

Wednesday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 7/31/2019

Retailers ready for back-to-school tax holiday

Florida’s retail industry is gearing up for this year’s back-to-school sales tax “holiday” on clothes, classroom supplies and computer equipment, with the state offering the tax break for five days starting Friday. And the return to the tax holiday of computers and certain accessories with price tags up to $1,000 — including items such as personal tablets, laptops and monitors — is expected to create increased sales. More from the Gainesville Sun.

State approves Citizens Insurance rate hikes for Broward and Palm Beach customers

Weary of seemingly never-ending rate hikes, customers of state-owned Citizens Property Insurance Corp. in Broward and Palm Beach counties won’t be getting any relief soon. Rates in Broward and Miami-Dade are among the highest in the state, with average premiums trailing only those paid by homeowners in Monroe County, home to the Florida Keys. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

AdventHealth Orlando named top hospital in Florida

AdventHealth Orlando, formerly known as Florida Hospital Orlando, was ranked as the No. 1 hospital in Florida by the U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best Hospitals rankings, released on Tuesday. UF Health Shands Hospital and Mayo Clinic Hospital ranked second and third respectively in Florida. Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center ranked 11th. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

How hard is it to start a business in Pensacola? And how can it be made easier?

The Pensacola area is flush with quality economic development organizations — business incubators, co-working spaces, growth accelerators and more — but they each tend to focus on a specific niche. CEO of FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance. "It's not a bad thing ... we've got a lot of outreach and activity, all of it at good levels. But what we don't have is a collective strategy around entrepreneurship." More from the Pensacola News-Journal.

Keys sanctuary helps pump $4 billion into Florida economy, study finds

The sparkling waters of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary help pump $4.4 billion into the state's economy while supporting 43,000 jobs, according to a report published Tuesday. The study was commissioned by the National Marine Sanctuaries Foundation in advance of a new management plan for the 3,800 square-mile sanctuary. More from WLRN.

Serving families, helping his neighbors

Miami doctor Inaki Bent, the first in his family to attend college, has dedicated his career to caring for the underserved. He’s grateful to the Florida Lottery’s Bright Futures Scholarship for helping make it possible for him to give back to the community. He’s now an active volunteer in the community where he grew up, inspiring kids who may not have other role models. [Sponsored report]

Profile
Florida woman makes custom swimwear

 Daylin Taylor Beauchamp went from not being able to thread a needle to making custom swimwear for women all over the U.S. from her Miramar Beach home. She launched Daylin Taylor Swim in March and hasn’t looked back since.

» More from the Panama City News Herald.

 

Retail Trends
Bravo Supermarkets is growing in Hillsborough to match booming Hispanic population

floridaYears before Florida's grocery store scene exploded with options, a group of New York City area retirees saw opportunity. After making their living running Hispanic stores up north, the group noticed shoppers in their new home looking for the foods and tastes of their cultures: plantains, yuca, tropical fruits — and a butcher who knew how to cut steak for Cuban dishes like Bistec de palomilla. So, they took up their trade in the Sunshine State.

» Read more from the Tampa Bay Times.

Tags: Daily Pulse, Afternoon Pulse

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Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices
Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices

Central Floirda chocolate shops are left with a bitter taste as cocoa prices hit an all-time high earlier this week.

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