SHARE:
Friday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida businesses got more pandemic relief than almost every state
The federal government has disbursed $329.7 billion in loans to businesses through a pandemic disaster relief program, as of Jan. 20. The Small Business Administration’s latest data report shows that Florida got more money and had more applicants than any other state approved, save California. Across the U.S. and its various territories, seven states took home the biggest chunk of pandemic relief pie for business owners. [Source: WFLA]
Business Beat - Week of February 4th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Cine and be seen: Will Florida reboot its film industry?
See you at the movies. Just not in Florida. That is, if you are a production company and want to get incentives and rebates for shooting and handling digital media, film and TV shows and programs in the Sunshine State. All told, according to a new report from trade association Film Florida, the state has missed out on $1.5 billion in film and TV opportunities since 2016 — when Florida’s $242 million transferable tax credit for the film industry expired. [Source: Business Observer]
Nursing homes struggle with staffing; Legislature considers loosening standard of care
A bill to loosen staffing standards at Florida nursing homes was initially drafted with the help of one of the state’s most powerful long-term care lobbying interests. Under the measure, Senate Bill 804, nursing homes that fail to meet state-mandated staff requirements would no longer be barred from admitting new residents. It would also broaden which kinds of employees can be counted in these mandatory staffing minimums, which are intended to keep residents safe. [Source: Miami Herald]
Proposed bill would tighten eligibility to keep Citizens Insurance
Hey, customers of state-run Citizens Property Insurance Corporation: Some lawmakers see you as a problem. Don’t misunderstand. It’s probably not your fault that private-market home insurance carriers in Florida are awash in red ink that’s been driving rates sky high. And it’s not your fault that you have few other choices. But the state-owned “insurer of last resort” has grown from 420,000 policies in 2019 to about 760,000 now. And that’s the problem. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› NASA, NOAA to get new weather eyes in the sky with March launch from Cape Canaveral
Soon, weather scientists will have an even stronger pair of eyes in the sky once a new advanced weather satellite launches this March. The GOES-T, short for Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite, is aiming for liftoff March 1 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket thanks to a collaboration between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NASA along with several other partners.
› Tampa hotel revenue tops $758M, breaking previous record set in 2019
Tampa Bay’s tourism industry came roaring back in 2021, with hotel revenue exceeding $758 million — shattering the previous record, set in 2019, by $50 million. According to a news release issued by Visit Tampa Bay, the destination marketing organization for Tampa and Hillsborough County, STR Inc. — a division of CoStar Group that specializes in hotel data — Tampa Bay is now the nation’s No. 1 destination in terms of hotel occupancy, edging Miami by 1.6%. The region ranks third, nationwide, in the revenue per available room category.
› Growers across Central Florida still assessing damage to crops from weekend freeze
Citrus growers in Polk County were mostly spared widespread damage from recent freezing temperatures. But pockets of damage to oranges, especially in counties in South-Central Florida were observed by industry professionals. Those farmers were more likely to be negatively impacted by the freeze and may end up reporting fruit damage, according to Tamara Wood, communications consultant for Florida Citrus Mutual in Bartow.
› $100 per square foot? Rent for prime office space puts Miami on par with New York City
It’s a new record price for Miami office space — and it’s sending shock waves through the city’s real estate market, at a time when companies are still trying to figure out their return-to-work plans as the coronavirus pandemic drags on. Recent leasing activity at 830 Brickell, an office building under construction defined as Class A for its location, amenities and management services, has hit at least $100 per square foot, area real estate brokers say.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
In case you missed it:
