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Wednesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
DeSantis’ new climate change plan: $270 million for first wave of statewide projects
Florida is set to commit hundreds of millions to adapt to the impacts of climate change — with the promise of much more money on the way. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the “Always Ready Florida” strategy at an afternoon press conference in Oldsmar, near Tampa, on Tuesday. He said the 3-year plan includes $270 million in state money for more than 76 projects around the state. More from the Tampa Bay Times, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, and the Floida Phoenix.
Orlando hotels hosted fewer guests and made less money in October, report finds
Orlando hotels have made big strides in filling their rooms since the pandemic crippled the industry last year, but higher occupancies still aren’t making up the loss of revenue, according to a new report. The recovery stalled nationwide in October, according to data from hotel analysts STR. It found that hotels as a whole had reached 97% of 2019 profitability in September, before dropping to 89% in October compared with 2019. More from the Orlando Sentinel/a>.
Test feeding plan in works for starving Florida manatees
In an effort to save more than a thousand manatees dying from starvation due to man-made pollution, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is coming up with an unprecedented feeding plan. The agency and state environmental officials intend to unveil a limited proposal this week to feed the beloved marine mammals in one specific Florida location to test how it works. This is not usually done with any wild animal, but the situation has become such an emergency that it has to be considered, said Save The Manatee Club Executive Director Patrick Rose. More from the AP.
Jacksonville City Council nears final vote on tax incentive for electric vehicle plant
Electric commercial fleet vehicle manufacturer Cenntro Automotive Corp. is poised for a $450,000 property tax break to open its first U.S.-based plant in Jacksonville. Two Jacksonville City Council committees voted unanimously Dec. 7 to advance a Recapture Enhanced Value grant for New Jersey-based Cenntro’s project. The company is considering a $25 million manufacturing facility in Northwest Jacksonville. More from the Jacksonville Daily Record.
Downtown Miami gets influx of firms since fall 2020, boosting apartment rental prices
The downtown Miami office market continued to expand over the past year, despite the pandemic, increasing the number of people living close to work and boosting residential rents in the area. Downtown added 17 new companies that opened offices between fall 2020 and June 2021. The wave of key business arrivals included Blackstone, Thoma Bravo and Microsoft. More from the Miami Herald.
End of an Era
After 50 years, Sarasota's Fish Whisperer Jonnie Walker hanging up his rod
He never caught A Fish Called Wanda, nor did he ever reel in The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh. For Capt. Jonnie Walker, they might have been the only two. Back in 1974, the man whom his daughter calls The Fish Whisperer worked for General Telephone (GTE). Walker’s parents were avid fishermen, and the couple’s only child first had a pole in his hands at age 5. But at the time, the Sarasota resident since 1957 didn’t have his own boat.
» More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Event
Pitmasters take the field at TIAA Bank Field for inaugural Jacksonville BBQ Festival
With the Jaguars in Nashville this weekend, top pitmasters from Texas to Missouri to Tennessee, New York and Florida are taking over TIAA Bank Field for the inaugural Jacksonville BBQ Festival Friday through Sunday. In addition to serving up a variety of barbecue favorites, pitmasters will take to three stages to showcase — and share — recipes on how to make everything from BBQ Pizza to Smoked Turkey Breast to Skirt Steak Tacos to Prime Rib Roast and more.
» Read more from the Florida Times-Union.
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