March 29, 2024

Monday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 7/18/2022

Lawmakers look to revive vetoed projects

Lawmakers faced a Friday deadline for filing requests to tap into a new $80 million pot of money, called Local Support Grants, included in the state budget that took effect July 1. Gov. Ron DeSantis last month vetoed dozens of projects and programs from the budget. But the pot of money was tucked away separately in the budget, setting up a new process for lawmakers to seek tax dollars. The 747 proposals filed before the deadline seek $634.5 million and, in many cases, try to revive spending that DeSantis vetoed. More from the News Service of Florida.

Florida Trend Exclusive
Florida Small Business: Taxes – Know the law

Anyone who launches a business should expect, at the very least, to pay federal income tax on their earnings. But depending on your business type, size and personnel, you also may be subject to various state levies, including reemployment tax, sales and use tax and tangible personal property tax.

Summary More from Florida Small Business.

Fort Myers startup incubator names top official

Phyllis LeFlore-Calloway has been working for the city of Fort Myers since 2018. LeFlore-Calloway has been assistant director for the CRA since October 2021, splitting her time between duties there and directing the Southwest Florida Enterprise Center. She will now be solely responsible for overseeing the SWFEC, according to a statement. The center’s programs, workshops and seminars help to educate business owners in a wide range of subjects, the release adds, in addition to providing “businesses a physical location from which to operate with added technical assistance to owners to help them build a strong and long-lasting business.” More from the Business Observer.

Startup with $1.4B valuation cuts 15% of staff in 'response to a worsening economy'

A Miami "unicorn" is the latest technology venture to cut jobs. "In light of the current environment and our long-term goals, I made the difficult decision to reduce our team," CEO Andrew Parker stated. Senior manager for corporate communications at Papa, Jill Bongiorni Meadows, said staff cuts will not affect Papa Pals who provide companionship services to members. Papa recently opened a new headquarters in downtown Miami for about 80 corporate team members. More from the South Florida Business Journal.

Digital learning startup relocates HQ to St. Petersburg

A startup that creates e-learning courses for businesses will open in downtown St. Petersburg. “We are thrilled to be moving our company to St. Petersburg, Florida, as the area will provide a foundation for new growth initiatives going forward. The Tampa Bay area is one of the top business growth areas for female-owned businesses offering an educated, diverse talent pool and a growing tech scene, ideal for Enovate Learning’s future,” Rema Merrick, owner of Enovate Learning, said in a statement. More from the St. Pete Catalyst.

Development
Gourmet market and restaurant planned for Viera near The Avenue set to open in March

 The new Pearl of Viera apartments overlook the expanse of grass interspersed with patches of sand. The hum of traffic from nearby Lake Andrew Drive can be heard over the buzz of a weed-whacker. All this disappears as Ercan Ekinci, former executive chef and co-owner at Green Turtle Market describes, what's coming in the next few months: Urban Prime - a gourmet market and 300-seat restaurant. "I've been talking to the Viera Company for a little over two years," said Ekinci, who sold his share of the Green Turtle and its Grapevine Cafe last in January 2020.

» More from Cooking with Mawson.

 

Historic Preservation
Influential, municipal preservation law expert Roy Hunt honored by city of Gainesville

 Historic Preservation Officer Kathleen Kauffman already knew of the longtime community advocates for historic preservation when she relocated to Gainesville for her position with the city in 2021. She attended the University of Florida where she earned a master’s degree in historic preservation and learned from UF Law Professor Roy Hunt. So when it came time for her and Gainesville's Historic Preservation Board to begin planning an annual award event based on advocacy for protecting historic resources through the years, the E.L. Roy Hunt Award was an easy choice.

» Read more from the Gainesville Sun.

Tags: Daily Pulse, Afternoon Update

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Florida Trend Video Pick

Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices
Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices

Central Floirda chocolate shops are left with a bitter taste as cocoa prices hit an all-time high earlier this week.

Video Picks | Viewpoints@FloridaTrend

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