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Wednesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Agriculture losses could hit $1.56 billion
With its combination of punishing wind and widespread flooding, Hurricane Ian caused up to $1.56 billion in estimated losses for the state’s agriculture industry, according to a University of Florida preliminary assessment. The assessment, by the University of Florida-Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, estimated industry losses at $786.6 million to $1.56 billion, with the largest losses for growers of vegetables and melons, citrus and horticultural crops. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Takeaways from a contentious US Senate debate between Val Demings and Marco Rubio
Democratic Rep. Val Demings and Republican Sen. Marco Rubio argued over abortion rights, recovery efforts from Hurricane Ian and immigration policy on Tuesday night, in the lone debate of a contentious U.S. Senate race that’s set to conclude in three weeks. The contest has been an uphill climb for the Orlando-area congresswoman, in a state that has trended Republican recently and amid a midterm election in which Republicans have momentum, thanks to President Joe Biden’s low approval ratings. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Ian’s impact on incoming businesses to Central Florida
More than three weeks after Hurricane Ian, many are assessing and fixing damage from the storm. Stories and Images of flooded homes and businesses continue to circulate. Both the stories, the images and now the fear of what could happen can affect where someone decides to locate their establishment. WMFE’s Talia Blake spoke with Tim Giuliani, CEO of the Orlando Economic Partnership, about the impact a storm like Ian has on incoming businesses. [Source: WMFE]
How Hurricane Ian affects Florida boat sales, manufacturing, storage, insurance and more
Boat ownership expenses were already increasing before the storm even formed. Boat owners will struggle for years with the difficulty of getting insurance and finding storage, some experts said in the wake of the catastrophic Category 4 hurricane. However, those same industry professionals say the boating lifestyle is so engrained in Florida that it will weather any storm, as it always has done in the past. [Source: Gainesville Sun]
Business tax filing deadlines extended for 6 counties hit by Hurricane Ian
The Florida Department of Revenue (DOR) is extending filing deadlines for businesses in six counties impacted by Hurricane Ian. The order, issued Monday by DOR Secretary Jim Zingale, extends the September and October reporting periods for sales and use tax, reemployment tax and several other tax types to Nov. 23. Returns, reports and payments due from Sept. 23 to Nov. 23 are now due on Nov. 23. Electronic returns and payments must be initiated on or before Nov. 22 at 5 p.m. [Source: Florida Politics]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Pair of Tampa Bay area companies relish unicorn status
The state of startups in Florida, at least in terms of receiving investments and growing in valuation, is red hot. That’s a big takeaway from the sixth annual State of Startups in the Southeast report, compiled by private equity firm Panoramic Ventures. The report found that “like prior years, Florida-based startups raised the most amount of capital over the five-and-a-half-year period and 2022 is shaping up to exceed record-setting 2021 numbers.”
› Orlando housing market among fastest-cooling in Florida
Orlando was named the ninth-hottest housing market in the country at the start of 2022, but it's now listed as one of the metros where the residential real estate industry is cooling the fastest. Orlando landed at No. 14 in a recent ranking of the housing markets slowing the most among the nation's biggest metros.
› Popular Jacksonville craft brewery wins top honors for beer at national competition
Popular Jacksonville microbrewery Wicked Barley Brewing Company struck gold at the prestigious Great American Beer Festival. Wicked Barley won a gold medal for its "Argument Starter," an American Amber/Red Ale, awarded Oct. 8 during the 40th-anniversary competition in Denver, Colo.
› Split City Commission eliminates single-family zoning in Gainesville
Following months of controversy and debate, a measure eliminating exclusionary zoning has become the law of the land in Gainesville. As anticipated, the Gainesville City Commission voted 4-3 Monday to ditch single-family zoning throughout the city. It is the first city in Florida to do so. The hotly contested ordinance will immediately go into effect, although opponents have threatened legal challenges and new commissioners starting in January have pledged to overturn the change.
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