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Wednesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida TaxWatch: Climate change hurts businesses and taxpayers; lawmakers should act
Climate change is bad for business in Florida and bad for taxpayers, says a new analysis by government watchdog Florida TaxWatch that calls for policy changes to contain the damage. The report, titled “A Rising Tide Sinks All Homes: The Effects of Climate Change on Florida’s Economy,” forecasts billions in current and future financial losses caused by climate change in 11 Florida economic sectors. Those include tourism, agriculture, health services, government services, and financial activities including property losses, real estate values, insurance costs, and mortgage rates. More from the Florida Phoenix, the Center Square, and Florida Daily.
Florida Trend Community Portrait
Greater Fort Lauderdale: Investing in tomorrow
Executives, families and business owners in search of a less stressful place to live and work had heard Greater Fort Lauderdale calling. The the pandemic amplified the message. Those who came discovered no state or local income tax in a place where the 2021 cost of living was the lowest in South Florida. Business owners found economic development and government organizations eager to offer guidance and financial incentives. [Source: Florida Trend]
Ellenton-based Feld Entertainment to bring back Ringling Bros. circus without animals
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, which shut down in 2017 after a storied 146-year run of three-ring entertainment around the world, could be making a comeback. Officials from Ellenton-based Feld Entertainment, which owns the circus operation, said during a recent panel discussion for venue operators that a new version of the circus without animals is expected to make its debut in 2023. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
In-N-Out could be coming to Florida
In-N-Out Burger could become the next Florida convert as a result of the state’s COVID-19 policies, or at least that’s what Florida’s Chief Financial Officer hopes. When Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis heard the burger chain In-N-Out was fighting back against San Francisco’s vaccine passport policy, he reached out to the company with a proposal: Why not come here? [Source: WJXT]
New area code sought for South Florida
With the state’s population continuing to grow and cell phones and other technology requiring new numbers, South Florida could get another area code. State regulators next week will hold a workshop to begin considering a proposal to create an additional area code in Palm Beach County because the 561 area code is in “jeopardy” of running out of numbers, according to a proposal filed Friday by the North American Numbering Plan Administrator, an agency that oversees area codes. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Florida manufacturing highlight
The manufacturing sector continued to operate throughout the crisis and often pivoted to produce products and component parts necessary to overcome shortages in our national stockpiles and critical supplies that we've come to rely upon other nations to produce for the United States. [Sponsored report]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› After acquisitions, Clearwater’s MarineMax surpasses $2 billion in annual sales
A full fiscal year under the coronavirus pandemic hasn’t stunted the growth of Clearwater boating company MarineMax. In fact, according to revenue numbers released Tuesday, it appears to be doing better than ever. MarineMax again posted record quarterly and annual revenues for the 12 months ending Sept. 30, with sales of more than $2 billion from the year. That’s up 37 percent from the $1.5 billion posted this time last year, and 66 percent from the year before that.
› Monkey sanctuary could be beginning of end for decades-old Dania Beach colony
A colony of wild monkeys in Dania Beach soon may get a permanent home, complete with fences, medical care and regular meals. But the creation of a monkey sanctuary east of the Fort Lauderdale airport may mark the beginning of the end of a bizarre wildlife population that has survived on a wedge of swampy forest for more than 70 years.
› Lakeland-based FITNiche running and fitness retail stores acquired by Fleet Feet
Sixteen years ago, Richard Wills left Publix Super Markets in Lakeland to become an entrepreneur, starting and expanding his FITNiche running business. “I put some of those skills I developed at Publix into use,” Wills reminisced in a phone interview on Friday about the latest chapter in his entrepreneurial journey. Last week, Wills confirmed he had sold the FITNiche business to Fleet Feet, an athletic footwear company that has been expanding in Florida.
› JaxPort: Carnival cruises still on hold from Jacksonville until March
The return of Carnival cruise trips from Jacksonville remains months away. JaxPort CEO Eric Green said Monday the latest target date is March, which would be two full years since Carnival suspended service from Jacksonville during the global COVID-19 pandemic. Carnival has been resuming sailings from a growing number of ports. Carnival announced this month that 17 of its ships would be in service by the end of the year with others coming in line in January and February and the full fleet of cruise ships sailing again by the spring.
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