March 29, 2024

Wednesday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 8/5/2020

Company behind Florida’s troubled unemployment website poised to get a new lucrative state contract

The company placed under investigation by Gov. Ron DeSantis for its handling of Florida’s flawed unemployment website is poised to land another lucrative multiyear state contract for at least $110 million to update the Medicaid program. Deloitte Consulting LLP beat out four competitors in a bid posted by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, despite its work designing Florida’s CONNECT unemployment website facing scrutiny from state investigators. More from the Orlando Sentinel and the Tampa Bay Times.

Some Florida companies are growing during the pandemic. One just bumped its footprint by 60%

A South Florida plywood company is doubling its industrial space after an uptick in new construction. USply, launched in 2006, is increasing its footprint by almost 60%, leaving its 58,000-square-foot distribution center in Miami Lakes for a 92,550-square-foot space at the 263,131-square-foot Medley 104 Industrial Center. Its current lease ends late this year. More from the Miami Herald.

Opinion: Investing in under-served, minority-owned businesses boosts the whole community

The public cry for support around social justice issues is encouraging many companies to speak out, which is good, but those of us in the corporate world also need to focus on determining how we can make a difference in helping Palm Beach County’s under-served communities. What is needed more than words and intentions are long-term investments that will enable and empower those who these communities rely on – their local businesses. More from the Palm Beach Post.

Miami-Dade advised to fast-track transportation projects now

Miami-Dade County decisionmakers should now be moving as many worthwhile transportation projects as possible to the starting line in order to take advantage of free-flowing federal funds, Citizens’ Independent Transportation Trust (CITT) Executive Director Javier Betancourt says. The county for years has sought hard-to-get dollars from Washington to help pay for its myriad mobility projects. More from Miami Today.

Sarasota County’s tourist-funded arts grants drop 20%

At a time when they are suffering from lost revenue due to canceled performances and events because of the coronavirus, arts and cultural organizations will share about $1.6 million from tourist tax revenues collected by Sarasota County. The County Commission has approved the grant money to be divided among 40 organizations. But the total represents about a 20% decline from last year’s $2.08 million, a reflection of how a drop in tourism can cause a ripple effect in other areas. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Event
Over 50 employers to participate in virtual job fair

 CareerSource Suncoast will host its first virtual job fair on Aug. 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Over 50 employers from Manatee and Sarasota counties will be available throughout the day to meet with job seekers via text chat, according to a press release. Some employers may also have video capabilities, although a webcam is not required to attend the virtual job fair.

» More from the Business Observer.

 

Arts Business
Miami is set for a ground-breaking immersive art experience. It opens in December

floridaMiami’s newest art space is set to debut in December — COVID or not. A newly launched enterprise associated with New York-based Pace Gallery announced Tuesday it will launch its experiential art in the Allapattah neighborhood near the Rubell Museum. Superblue Miami will be the first in a planned series of groundbreaking international spaces dedicated to immersive installations by top contemporary artists.

» Read more from the Miami Herald.

Tags: Daily Pulse, Afternoon Pulse

In case you missed it:

Florida Trend Video Pick

Facial recognition cameras in Florida city spark privacy concerns
Facial recognition cameras in Florida city spark privacy concerns

New security cameras in downtown Lakeland are raising concerns about privacy. The Lakeland Downtown Development Authority has begun installing 13 new security cameras on streets, sidewalks, and alleyways, and there are mixed feelings about them.

Video Picks | Viewpoints@FloridaTrend

Ballot Box

Should Congress ban the popular social media app TikTok in the U.S.?

  • Yes
  • No
  • Need more details
  • What is TikTok?
  • Other (Comment below)

See Results

Florida Trend Media Company
490 1st Ave S
St Petersburg, FL 33701
727.821.5800

© Copyright 2024 Trend Magazines Inc. All rights reserved.