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Thursday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida's population growth expected to slow in coming years
Florida continues to grow as it attracts people from other parts of the U.S., but that growth is projected to slow in the coming years as groups that have been moving to Florida in droves get older, according to state economists. The Legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research released a report this week that showed the state’s estimated population in April was 22,634,867, an increase of nearly 359,000 people, or 1.61 percent, from a year earlier. More from the News Service of Florida.
BNP Paribas, Europe’s largest bank, returns to Miami
Europe’s largest bank, BNP Paribas, returns to Miami this week after a two-decade absence. French banks BNP and Paribas merged in 2000. Both had offices in Miami before the merger and had an office together here for a short time before leaving the city in the early 2000s as numbers of international banks here declined from their peak. More Miami Today.
Former Jaguars employee accused of stealing more than $22 million from team
A former Jacksonville Jaguars employee is accused of stealing more than $22 million from the franchise from 2019 to 2023 by exploiting the organization’s virtual credit card program, and he used that money to buy, among other items, two vehicles, a condominium and a designer watch worth over $95,000. Some of that money was also allegedly used to purchase cryptocurrency and place bets with online gambling sites. More from the Athletic and WSVN.
Phase 2 of Orlando Magic project adds housing to downtown
The development team behind the Orlando Magic’s Sports + Entertainment District is planning a second phase of the project that will add more housing to the district, according to the master plan filed with the city. The $500 million mixed-use entertainment district across from Amway Center had stalled after the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing the Magic to rescale the office portion of the project, according to a GrowthSpotter report. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Pasco low-income seniors will get new homestead tax break
Pasco residents 65 and above who meet low-income requirements will get a break on future property taxes under an ordinance approved by the County Commission this week. The Pasco County Commission unanimously agreed to an additional $50,000 expansion in the homestead exemption for those senior home owners who have a total household income of less than $35,167, beginning in the 2025 tax year. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Out of the Box
Hate the cold? This Orlando indoor ‘ice’ skating spot could be for you
We live in Florida, so there has to be some part of us that wants to escape the cold. And if you’re feeling that way during the holiday season and still want to take part in some seasonal traditions, look no further. Dezerland Park is offering ice skating enthusiasts a way to enjoy the activity without the cold — and the ice.
» More from Click Orlando.
Profile
One man's trash...
Born and raised in Venezuela, Tony Selvaggio graduated from college and moved to Tampa in 2011 to work at a scrap metal business. Within a few years, he was ready to start his own venture. “I've always had an entrepreneurial spirit," Selvaggio says. Going with what he knew, Selvaggio started a scrap metal recycling business with just $8,000 in 2014. Over the next year, his interest in electronics recycling grew, as did his involvement in the community and he joined a young professionals' group from the Tampa Bay Chamber.
» Read more from Florida Trend.
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