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Friday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
In one month, coronavirus has set off more mass layoffs in Florida than the state had in all of 2019
In one month, coronavirus has triggered more mass layoffs and furloughs in Florida than the state saw in all of 2019. Already, it’s almost more mass job losses than Florida experienced over the past two years combined. The numbers paint yet another grim picture of the toll the coronavirus outbreak has taken on a Florida workforce that just two months ago was experiencing the lowest unemployment rate in its history. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Reopening Florida’s theme parks will be a long, slow process
Florida’s theme parks are some of the most visited attractions in the world. They are also one of the state’s biggest economic engines. As to when they will reopen, one industry executive said it will be a long process due to logistical and public health considerations. “We are obviously thinking a lot about when and how to reopen. We’ve got multiple teams working on a number of different scenarios,” said John Sprouls, the chief administrative officer for Universal Orlando Resort. More from CBS Miami.
JEA receives federal grand jury subpoena
The U.S. Attorney’s Office this week served JEA with a grand jury subpoena for records, the strongest indication yet that the city-owned utility’s costly attempt to sell itself to a private entity, as well as other controversies that engulfed JEA under the leadership of its now-fired leader Aaron Zahn, are being investigated as potential crimes. More from the Florida Times-Union.
Wreckage of Airport City may yield Miami International Airport hotel
A Brazilian construction giant whose mixed-use development at Miami International Airport (MIA) failed after years of planning may soon see one component find daylight. The project: Airport City, a 33.5-acre business park with hotel, office, retail and restaurants proposed by conglomerate Odebrecht. In 2016, negotiations with Miami-Dade soured amid issues over work an Odebrecht arm did in Cuba, project downsizing and assertions that the county could make more money without Odebrecht involved. More from Miami Today.
Biotech company Amgen expanding its Tampa operations hub
Two years after opening a hub for its teams in finance, human resources and information systems, biotechnology company Amgen wants room to grow. So the California-based multinational plans to add 33,000 square feet to its existing 130,000 square feet of offices near International Plaza. The $10 million expansion will give the company’s Westshore-based staff more room for collaboration, meeting space and growth. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Entertainment
Theater fights off coronavirus with streaming movie service
One of the few independently-owned movie theatres in Southwest Florida, Prado Stadium 12, is taking the entertainment straight to customer’s homes. The theatre, according to a statement, is now offering an online movie streaming service and takeout dinners on Fridays and Saturdays. It’s also offering a $25 Gift Card deal, where a customer can receive a five-gallon bag of Prado popcorn for free and custom T-shirts to help bring the movie theatre experience to their home while social distancing.
» More from the Business Observer.
Florida Dining
New Checkers CEO Frances Allen steps in amid global storm
In her two months as CEO of Checkers & Rally’s, veteran food-service corporate executive Frances Allen has faced two years’ worth of challenges. “On the one hand, it’s not how I intended my first 100 days to go,” said Allen, still unable to finalize the move from her Colorado home to Tampa (where the quick-service restaurant chain is headquartered) amid the pandemic. “On the other hand, it’s been an incredible opportunity for a new leader to come in and see what an organization is made of.”
» Read more from the Tampa Bay Times.
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