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Tuesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
How four Florida small businesses survived two years of COVID-19 and are growing again
Internet sales drove Jamie Mardis' business during worst of the pandemic. Outdoor dining helped save Brian Parenteau's business when there wee restrictions to help slow the spread of the virus. Rosanna Bermejo is going back to school while expanding her company. And Yesi Leon learned accounting software to help run her business. Now, all four small business owners report business is booming as the COVID-19 pandemic enters its third year. Business restrictions are gone. Vaccines are available. And people are learning how to live with the virus. More from WLRN.
Areas of drought expand across the state
A drought is developing across most of the Sunshine State, and little relief is expected over the next few weeks. Forecasters blame La Nina for the abnormally dry conditions across the state. It is the cold counterpart to El Niño. La Niña is a weather pattern that tends to bring warmer temperatures to the south during the winter months, but cooler weather to the north. More from WQCS and WLRN.
Florida Trend Exclusive
Venture Miami and FIU partner to aid minority-owned startups
To promote inclusion in Miami’s technology industry, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez’s Venture Miami organization is partnering with Florida International University to help female, minority-owned startups secure funding and grow. The cohort-style program, supported by a $150,000 grant from JPMorgan Chase, will provide leadership training and mentorship. More from Florida Trend.
Florida lawmakers want a $50 million courthouse. Is it needed?
State lawmakers are preparing to carve out a new appellate court district based in the hometown of the Senate’s powerful appropriations chairperson, giving Gov. Ron DeSantis the chance to appoint seven new conservative judges. Although the number of appeals court cases in Florida is at the lowest point in years, lawmakers have agreed to spend $50 million on a new courthouse and at least $4 million more each year on judges and support staff. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
North Port commission to review next phase for Warm Mineral Springs Park
North Port city commissioners will discuss and possibly decide Tuesday on funding for the next steps in developing the 61.4-acre portion of Warm Mineral Springs Park that surrounds the 21.6-acre Warm Mineral Springs attraction. The commission already committed to spending $9.4 million in sales tax revenue and park impact fees to pay for Phase One of the plan created by Kimley-Horn & Associates and Sweet Sparkman architects in 2019. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Attraction
Deep Space Launch Complex debuts at the Kennedy Space Center this month
Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex, a 50,000-sq.-ft. attraction showcasing the future of space exploration, will debut at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex this month. The attraction will feature used and replica spacecraft and take visitors on an immersive simulated journey through space via a two-story, 4-D theater.
» More from Florida Trend.
Sports Business
Orlando bids to host Army-Navy football game in 2027
Orlando is in the running to host the Army-Navy rivalry football game at Camping World Stadium in 2027. Orange County commissioners will be asked Tuesday to approve a sports-incentive package to lure a range of sporting events to town. It includes a pledge to pay a required $3 million “bid fee” if Orlando is picked to host the Dec. 11, 2027, gridiron clash between the nation’s two oldest service academies.
» Read more from the Orlando Sentinel.
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