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Monday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida employees feel COVID-19 pressure
Eighteen months into the pandemic, Florida’s state workers are struggling. COVID-19 outbreaks have closed departments and offices. Three state prisons are closing because of the lack of corrections officers. When their colleagues fall ill, some state employees say they aren’t being told. Gov. Ron DeSantis’ efforts to keep Florida open has been felt acutely by many state workers, some of whom have been among the earliest to return to in-office meetings. More from the Tampa Bay Times and the Miami Herald.
Should Brevard County be renamed? Tourism advisory group discussing
County Commissioner Bryan Lober says he has been asked by residents from time to time whether Brevard County can change its name to something more contemporary — Space Coast County. So the commissioner decided to broach the subject during the latest monthly meeting of the advisory Brevard County Tourist Development Council, of which he is a member. Some of his fellow Tourist Development Council members were initially intrigued. More from Florida Today.
‘Proving everyone wrong’: This Miami developer spots value others missed
The way real estate developer Camilo Miguel Jr. puts it, the key to success is seeing opportunity where others do not. “The common thread for us is uncovering potential, and I believe it’s something we do better than anyone,” said Miguel, 45, who is the founder and CEO of the Coconut Grove-based Mast Capital investment and development firm, which launched in 2006 and has a portfolio of $2 billion. More from the Miami Herald.
Orlando is gearing up to become a rival to Silicon Valley — and shift away from being a destination primarily for tourists and retirees
Defense and technology startup Red 6 is opening a hub in Orlando to develop its airborne tactical augmented reality system. It's one in a long line of companies, including Lockheed Martin, Oracle, Verizon, and Deloitte, with offices in the central Florida city. For years, people have viewed the Sunshine State as primarily a vacation and a retiree destination, but groups such as the Orlando Economic Partnership have been working to elevate its profile as a tech hub. More from the Business Insider.
Delray Beach aims to amp up the buzz on The Avenue with more office space downtown
Delray Beach is planning to add more office space downtown — a move that officials and restaurant owners believe could help invigorate daytime sales on Atlantic Avenue. Right now, “The Avenue” thrives at night, but languishes by comparison during lunch hours. Construction is being finalized on the $300 million Atlantic Crossing development by Veterans Park and the Intracoastal Waterway. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Profile
Sarasota private eye builds business taking cases cops can't
Bud Johnson's years as a cop taught him that the police can't investigate every crime, and he's happy to take those weird ones that fall in the gray area between icky and illegal. His base rate is $85 an hour. He said many of his clients are in a crisis and he works on terms they can afford. But then there are also plenty of clients who know the money they pay Johnson upfront to gather evidence will pay off down the road.
» More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Transportation Trends
This new, high-end rideshare service plans to hire 200 drivers in Miami
A new rideshare service plans to hire 200 drivers in Miami — and treat them as employees, not independent contractors. Texas-based Alto, which has already raised $45 million in venture capital, says its drivers undergo extensive background checks as well as a thorough safety and defensive driving training program.
» Read more from the Miami Herald.
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