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Thursday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida is missing out on the AI job boom
Jobs in artificial intelligence are clustered around a short list of "superstar" cities and "early adopter" centers, according to a new report from the nonprofit Brookings Institution. So far, none of them are located in Florida. San Francisco and San Jose, California alone are home to about four times as many artificial intelligence companies and job postings as the next tier of 13 early adopter metro areas, the report said. All together, those 15 metro areas (including New York, Boston, Seattle, Austin and Raleigh, North Carolina), comprise two-thirds of the country's "AI assets and capabilities." More from Miami Inno.
Florida Trend Exclusive
All hands on deck
Leon County officials, concerned over closings and delays of Amazon’s national network of distribution centers, are now more optimistic that the e-commerce giant’s $200-million Tallahassee fulfillment center is on track to open later this year. Their growing confidence is based on news that Amazon has brought on board senior executives to manage the facility expected to bring about new 1,000 jobs to the area. More from Florida Trend.
Central Florida tourism district proposes Disney property tax decrease
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District may lower property taxes on its stakeholders — likely good news for several businesses within its boundaries, including Walt Disney World. The district, at its July 26 meeting, will vote to approve a new proposed millage rate — or tax rate — levied on the taxable value of land that helps determine the property taxes paid by property owners — in this case, primarily Disney-owned land. More from WFTV.
What the Supreme Court’s Clean Water Act decision means for Tampa Bay
It was common for raw sewage and bloated dead fish to float atop Tampa’s waterways decades ago. The water was so vile that the area smelled like sulfur. A combination of federal protections, local ordinances and grassroots efforts helped clean Tampa Bay’s waterways by the 1990s. But recent developments, like a decline in seagrass levels, wastewater spills and a rollback of fertilizer management laws, worry environmental groups. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Miami-Dade professional, business services jobs hit an all-time high
Professional and business services jobs in Miami-Dade County hit an all-time high in June while unemployment remained at 2.2%, far below state and national levels. The gain in professional and business services from June 2022 was 14,500 jobs in Miami-Dade according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, reaching 216,400 jobs in the sector, a 7.2% annual increase. The gain from May was 1,100 jobs. Statewide, the jobs gain in the sector was 3.4%. More from Miami Today.
Estate planning for preparation and peace of mind
Today’s professionals, ranging from those working their way from their first job out of college to those approaching retirement following a successful career, all share a common need: life and estate plans. Few want to ponder their own mortality. And as unlikely as it may seem, if you were to pass or suffer permanent mental incapacitation, estate planning early on not only enables your loved ones to assist you during any period of incapacity. It also lists and makes clear who will control or benefit from any assets you may hold. [Sponsored report]
Legal Trends
Reading between the lines
Twenty years ago, St. Petersburg criminal defense attorney Lucas Fleming began noticing that many of his teenaged clients had something in common: They could barely read. “I felt really bad going over a plea form with them in court,” Fleming says. “How can you know what your rights are if you can’t read the form?” Fleming did a little research and found a statistic from a national literacy advocacy group indicating that 85% of juvenile criminal offenders have difficulty reading. He thought to himself: “What can I do?”
» More from Florida Trend.
Sports Business
As Messi descends, Miami's economy faces another turning point
At the height of the Covid pandemic, Miami — the new home of soccer superstar Lionel Messi — emerged as an unlikely destination for individuals seeking an escape from lockdowns and a return to normal life — to the extent that was possible. Long known as a "fun in the sun" hot spot whose economy had long struggled to diversify, the city was suddenly garnering headlines as a hot destination for financial groups, tech firms and entrepreneurs seeking relatively lax Covid protocols, with Florida’s lower tax burden as an added bonus.
» Read more from NBC News.
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