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Thursday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida shows small signs of partial economic recovery from coronavirus
Florida’s tourism-based economy is showing signs of a limited recovery after the pandemic devastated what was expected to be a record breaking year for everything from air travel to hotel stays. Indicators that tourists are returning to the state — such as airline passenger counts and hotel occupancy rates — inched up after May, particularly around the beaches, when the state began reopening. Unemployment claims have dropped since spring. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Amid Florida’s budget shortfall, corporations lobby for more tax cuts
Some corporate tax cuts are scheduled to expire at the end of next year. But now, citing the global pandemic, businesses are pushing state leaders to turn those temporary cuts into permanent breaks. In a new report issued this month, a “COVID-19 Taxpayer Task Force” — which is led in part by lobbyists representing Publix Supermarkets Inc., Walt Disney Co. and Walmart Inc. — called on state leaders to avert what it called a looming “tax increase” for corporations. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Retail, dining destination uses outside setup to its advantage amid pandemic
During the pandemic, more people have been taking advantage of curbside pickup options from national chains and local businesses. Seeing that, Hyde Park Village in Tampa is adapting to the trend by creating Pick Up Quick zones across the property. Hyde Park Village General Manager Nicole Dee says launching about 20 zones will help support and streamline curbside operations. More from the Business Observer.
Downtown Jacksonville mega-projects Shipyards and District in limbo
In June, the clock ran out on Jaguars owner Shad Khan's right to negotiate a redevelopment agreement for The Shipyards and Metropolitan Park, the long swath of Northbank riverfront where Khan's plan in 2017 called for condominiums, apartments, hotels, stores, restaurants and marina docks along 70 acres. Time is running down as well for The District on the Southbank. More from the Florida Times-Union.
Orlando-based EASE App acquired for $25 million
Orlando-based EASE Applications has been acquired by the national clinical communications company Vocera for $25 million. The application, which allows families to get regular updates from the operating and hospital rooms, was developed by four Orlando entrepreneurs, three of them physicians at Orlando Health, in 2013. The app was first used at the health system and has now grown to nearly 80 hospitals across the nation and 1.6 million sent messages. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
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Tranasportation
Hillsborough rail, streetcar and ferry projects wait in limbo for Supreme Court tax decision
All three projects involve getting people out of their cars. Each costs millions of dollars. And none of them are new ideas. They’ve been batted about, refined, voted on and shelved countless times — one for more than three decades. But supporters say they’re closer than ever to becoming reality.
» More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Tech Trends
Bitcoin’s presence in South Florida is growing
The rising value of the digital currency Bitcoin has helped fuel the growth of a South Florida Bitcoin ATM company and a statewide association that is working to create a friendly business environment for financial technology firms. Overall, the fast-rising value of Bitcoin has helped lift business efforts. But at the same time, Bitcoin is still widely considered a volatile, high-risk form of currency in which investors should be prepared to lose their money.
» Read more from Florida Weekly.
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