March 29, 2024

Wednesday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 2/3/2021

Florida consumer confidence up in January, full recovery far off

Consumer confidence in Florida inched up slightly in January, marking the second month in a row consumer sentiment has been on the upswing amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to University of Florida Bureau of Economic and Business Research data released Tuesday. But respondents showed reluctance to buy big ticket items. The confidence in now being a good time to buy appliances, a vehicle or a house dropped from 78.5 in December to 74.5 in January. Hector Sandoval, director of UF’s Economic Analysis Program, said the decline in big-ticket spending confidence is a concerning factor as the pandemic plays out in Florida. Read more from Florida Politics and see the report from UF News.

Florida study: $5 billion return on $423 million affordable housing investment

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposed $96.6 billion Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) budget recommendation fully funds affordable housing programs at $423.3 million, which a study released Tuesday maintains will generate $5 billion in economic benefits statewide. “An Economic Analysis of the Florida Housing Programs,” produced by the Regional Economic Consulting (REC) Group for the Sadowski Coalition, analyzed the economic impact of using affordable housing trust funds solely for affordable housing — a rarity in Florida until this year — and determined every $1 in housing trust funds spent on housing returns $1.40 in revenues for state and local government coffers. More from the Center Square.

Struggling Northwest Florida businesses take another hit from reemployment tax

Northwest Florida businesses have struggled to sustain profitable income through the pandemic over the last 10 months. Now they face a new challenge -- a surge in taxes linked to unemployment. Pensacola businesses are starting to see the impacts of the higher reemployment taxes that went into effect in January. Many business owners see this as just another financial hit after an already difficult year. More from WEAR.

JTA offers free rides for Jacksonville seniors to get COVID-19 vaccinations

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority has launched a "Ride to Health" program to help people get to the sites where vaccinations for COVID-19 are being given. Seniors, health care and emergency medical workers who are getting the shots can now ride free on buses, the JTA said. They will be required to show their I.D. to the driver. More from the Florida Times-Union.

Miami International Boat Show sails off with chunk of city budget

The Miami International Boat Show is leaving Virginia Key, along with the $1.2 million annual payment to the city, calculated and counted on as future revenue to help support a restored Miami Marine Stadium. The departure of the boat show makes the fate of the stadium a further unknown, just as the city is nearing a call for bids on the multi-million-dollar restoration project. More from Miami Today.

Florida History
Disney World at 50: After the Super Bowl, ‘I’m going to Disney World’ again and again and again

 It started in 1987 with Phil Simms, then a quarterback for the New York Giants. It was prearranged with Simms to answer the question “You’ve just won the Super Bowl. What are you doin’ next?” He semi-sheepishly smiled, looked into the lens and said “I’m going to Disney World” as “When You Wish Upon a Star” played in the commercial. He was paid $75,000 — or $15,000 a word.

» More from the Orlando Sentinel.

 

Sports Business
County benches Miami Marlins profit split offer in sale

floridaMiami-Dade has called a two-week timeout to confer with county attorneys on a lowball settlement pitch from the former owner of the Miami Marlins. Some officials say the offer reeks of foul play. Commissioners Tuesday deferred to Feb. 17 consideration of a $4.2 million payment from former Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria, who sold the team to Bruce Sherman, Derek Jeter and partners in 2017 for $1.2 billion.

» Read more from Miami Today.

Tags: Daily Pulse, Afternoon Pulse

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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

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