March 29, 2024

Friday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 8/7/2020

Florida's back-to-school tax holiday promises needed traffic for retailers

The tax relief that runs from Aug.7-9 eliminates any sales tax for specific retail items that relate to school supplies in Florida and was designed to give parents a bit of a financial break when buying classroom needs for kids. But this year, the special exemption brings on additional significance for businesses and stores that have been hammered by the impact of the COVID-19. More from Florida Politics, the Palm Beach Post, and the Orlando Sentinel.

Central Florida woman loses business, learns and helps others launch their own

Most little girls get their first taste as an entrepreneur selling lemonade in their front yard. When it comes to doing hair, they usually practice on their dolls. Coleen Otero said her first experience in the business world started at the age of 12 when she was styling hair for women twice her age. From there, the young businesswoman went on to open her own salon. Eventually, she met her husband and the two went into property management. More from Click Orlando.

Overseas companies still see growth potential in Florida

Despite the United States and Florida, in particular, becoming COVID-19 hotspots, foreign-based companies remain eager to expand here. In late July, for example, not one, but two firms — one based in Columbia, the other in the U.K. — announced the opening of offices in Tampa. More from the Business Observer.

Tampa airport planning staff buyouts, ‘three to four years’ for recovery

As the airline industry braces for a years-long recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, Tampa International Airport on Thursday laid out budget shortfalls and cuts it’ll see into 2021 — including a round of staff buyouts starting Friday. Airport executives outlined ongoing struggles during a Hillsborough County Aviation Authority meeting, including a projected $74.6 million shortfall in operating revenue for the fiscal year ending in September. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Algae plague in Clermont’s Lake Minneola targeted for $1.7 million treatment unproven in Florida

Lake Minneola, the pride of adjoining Clermont and Minneola, was not supposed to be a victim of a worldwide plague: harmful and toxic algae running amok. But despite being naturally dark and acidic, which generally inhibits algae growth, Minneola exploded unexpectedly early this year with a green ooze of algae. It was the worst known outbreak for the nearly 2,000-acre lake about 20 miles west of Orlando in south Lake County. More from the South  Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Business Profile
Fresco Foods

In the six years since they founded Fresco Foods Inc., the Tampa-based maker of the Eat Fresco line of vacuum-sealed, freshly prepared meals, Rob and Tracy Povolny have taken a slow and steady approach to growth. Thanks in large part to a lucrative partnership with Publix Super Markets Inc., the slow growth days look to be nearing an end. The privately held firm generated $5.74 million in gross revenue in 2019, up 517% from $930,000 in 2018. Executives expect to double that figure in 2020 — even in the pandemic.

» More from the Business Observer.

 

Out of the Box
Miami City Ballet offers store-window performances free

floridaHeading back to its roots, the Miami City Ballet has transformed a vacant retail venue into a pop-up residency on Miami Beach’s Lincoln Road. Honoring its 35th anniversary, the ballet organization is offering dancers a studio in which to train and perform before the public as they watch outside on pre-marked social-distancing stars to ensure a safe viewing experience.

» Read more from Miami Today.

Tags: Daily Pulse, Afternoon Pulse

In case you missed it:

Florida Trend Video Pick

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.

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.