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What you need to know about Florida today
Many Florida businesses struggled to pay rent in May
Florida was among the U.S. states with the highest rent delinquency rates for small businesses, according to a new Q2 rent report by Alignable. The Sunshine State saw 33% of small businesses delinquent on rents in May 2022, up from 24% in April, and up from 27% in October 2021 — the furthest data point in the report. In addition, 71% of Florida small businesses said they were paying higher rents in May than six months ago, up from 61% in April. [Source: Orlando Business Journal]
Business Beat - Week of July 22
Get the top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Commentary: Let's make workplace safety a priority in Florida
According to the Florida Chamber Safety Council’s recent Florida’s Status on Health, Safety and Sustainability Research Report, in 2020, Florida’s workplace fatality rate per 100,000 workers landed at 3.08, just ahead of the United States' overall rate of 3.23. And between 2011 and 2020, Florida had a total of 713 construction fatalities. This needs to change – and such change can happen if business leaders embrace the need to develop a safety culture that emphasizes personal accountability. [Source: Herald-Tribune]
Would-be Florida home buyers being boxed out by real estate investors
"I think it's the American dream to have a home right now. But sometimes I feel like that has become an American nightmare," says Byron Ruiz. Ruiz runs Bymar Shoes and Orthotics in Winter Park. He has been working hard to buy a home but keeps hitting dead ends. "I found a house that I like, and then I put an offer on it, even though it's a few thousand more than the asking price, just to find out a few hours later, that I've been over bid, by another buyer — a cash offer," according to Ruiz. [Source: WESH]
Collier County School District creates essential housing initiative for teachers
For many in Southwest Florida, it’s getting tougher and tougher to afford even the basic necessity, housing. In Collier County, the school district is pursuing a proactive solution for some of its teachers. A new program on an empty, 25-acre field just next door to Manatee Elementary School could possibly change that. It’s been set aside as potential essential housing. [Source: WINK]
Health officials confirm 1st case of dengue in Miami-Dade in 2022
Officials with the Florida Department of Health have issued a mosquito-borne illness advisory after the first confirmed case of dengue infection in Miami-Dade County in 2022. This case is the first local dengue infection of the year, and has prompted the county to encourage preventative measures to be taken against the disease. [Source: Florida Department of Health and WTVJ]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Using AI, UF startup companies boost ailing citrus industry
As news broke that Florida’s citrus industry ended this year’s growing season with its lowest production in eight decades, an unlikely union has formed between two University of Florida startup companies to help reverse the trend.
› Florida State Board adds $250 million to in-state private equity fund
Florida State Board of Administration, Tallahassee, agreed to commit an additional $250 million to the Florida Sunshine State Fund, a private equity fund focused on high-technology and growth businesses in Florida managed by J.P. Morgan Asset Management, spokeswoman Emilie Oglesby said in an email.
› USF among Top 3 winners of NASA’s TechLeap Prize competition
NASA has named three winners in a competition whose results could have important implications for future space exploration missions. Through the TechLeap Prize, NASA seeks to optimize precision landing capabilities with affordable, energy efficient technologies that deliver spacecraft to safe landing locations for lunar and planetary missions.
› Florida facing a shortage of mental health counselors
“We’ve had a waitlist for the last six months to a year and it’s just difficult to get in and see someone. It’s difficult to find,” said licensed mental health counselor Mallory Gabriel.
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