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Wednesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
2020 ends with slight uptick in Florida's consumer confidence; 2021 uncertainty looms
Consumer confidence among Floridians ticked up 1.1 points in December to 82.2 from November’s revised figure of 81.1 though consumer sentiment ends 2020 far below the levels recorded before the coronavirus pandemic. Among the five components that make up the index, three increased and two decreased. Floridians’ opinions about current economic conditions were mixed. More from UF News and WCJB.
Miami-Dade reaches 100 million square feet of offices
One-ninth of Miami-Dade County’s total office space stood vacant as 2020 ended and the county for the first time crossed the line of 100 million total square feet of offices, a preliminary market report this week by Colliers International reveals. Vacancies have been rising since Covid-19 hit the county in March, Colliers data show. Total office vacancies rose from 9.6% at the end of March to 10% at the end of June, 11% at the end of September and 11.3% at year’s end. More from Miami Today.
U-Haul data ranks Florida among Top 3 in nation for move-ins, down a few spots from last year
Florida ranked third on U-Haul's annual list of the hottest states for where people are moving, following a year at the No.1 spot. Tennessee edged out Texas, the leading growth state from 2016-18, and Florida, the No. 1 growth state for 2019, for top honors on the 2020 U-Haul chart. Texas has been a top-two growth state each of the past five years. More from the South Florida Business Journal.
Tampa-Cuba ties forged under Obama frayed under Trump. Now, it’s Biden’s turn.
Before Fidel Castro, before Communism, Tampa residents jokingly said their city was Cuba’s northern-most province due to the ties they shared. Cuban immigrants helped found Ybor City. Cuban tobacco was rolled in Tampa cigar factories. Tampa residents traveled to the island for weekend excursions. The link was rekindled under President Barack Obama’s efforts to normalize relations with Cuba. Cruises and commercial flights connected Tampa and Havana. Scientific collaborations and art exchanges began. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
New federal courthouse site picked for Fort Lauderdale
For everyone who has endured the flooding, tight quarters and other inconveniences of Fort Lauderdale’s downtown federal courthouse, relief is finally coming into view. Over the holidays, the U.S. government selected a long-awaited site for a replacement when it agreed to spend $13.5 million for nearly 3.5 acres south of the Tarpon River in Fort Lauderdale. It’s in an area bordering Southeast Third Avenue and Southeast 11th Street. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Event
Las Olas Art Fair will go on this weekend despite surge in cases
There’s one tradition the pandemic won’t be taking away: The Las Olas Art Fair. The popular event will take over five city blocks this weekend after promising to follow COVID-19 safety protocols and getting a green light from both county and city officials. Las Olas Association, the festival’s organizer, has vowed to ensure each person who attends wears a mask. Tents will be spaced 6 feet apart, and hand sanitizer readily available.
» More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Business Profile
Tampa bookstore and museum teaches that Black history is diverse
Best Richardson African Diaspora Literature and Culture Museum sells rare books, has exhibits and teaches genealogy. A current exhibit at Best Richardson African Diaspora Literature and Culture Museum showcases baskets created by modern-day Gullah Geechee people. Descendants of Africans who were enslaved on plantations on the lower Atlantic coast, the Gullah Geechee still reside in the coastal areas of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida and maintain their language and customs.
» Read more from the Tampa Bay Times.
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