The Florida Council of 100 has a plan to grow high-wage jobs across the state
A well-connected group of Florida business leaders thinks its members can help fill a void that opened last year when lawmakers broke up the business-recruitment agency Enterprise Florida. The Florida Council of 100 on Wednesday released a report about types of businesses and industries that different areas of the state should work to attract, while offering its more than 150 members to help link businesses with regional economic-development organizations. More from Florida Trend and the News Service of Florida.
Clearwater company acquires Ohio broadband provider after major turnaround
Nicholas Financial Inc. traded its business in auto and consumer loan financing for rural broadband internet services. The Clearwater-based company closed on the acquisition of Ohio-based Amplex, a rural telecommunications provider, in a deal that values the company at $66.4 million. In April, Nicholas Financial cleared house and sold off its prior business in auto and consumer loan financing to a California firm after laying off substantially all of its workforce over the prior year. More from the Tampa Bay Business Journal.
Can disabled firefighter sue Sanford for cutting her benefits? US Supreme Court will decide
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to decide if a Sanford firefighter can sue for discrimination because the city cut her disability benefits after she retired due to Parkinson’s disease. “I’m seeking justice not only for me, but also for countless disabled firefighters and other disabled workers across the country who deserve to receive retirement benefits without discrimination,” Karyn Stanley, the retired firefighter, said in a text message provided to the Orlando Sentinel by one of her attorneys, Patricia Sigman of Lake Mary. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Miami Beach Convention Center unveils 17 events for 2024
The Miami Beach Convention Center is preparing to welcome 17 events for the second half of the year. A good blend of meetings and conventions will fill the 1.4-million-square-foot center, said General Manager Freddie Peterson, leading up to its marquee event, Art Basel in December. Following last week’s Florida International Medical Expo with Informa Markets – the largest show producers in the world – is a comic-book lover’s dream: Florida SuperCon 2024. More from Miami Today.
Jacksonville City Council approves Jaguars stadium agreement with minimal changes
Just over a year since the Jaguars announced its proposal for a renovated EverBank Stadium, eight months of negotiations with the mayor’s office and three weeks of marathon City Council meetings, the city has agreed to a 30-year lease and funding agreement with the team. More from the Florida Times-Union.
Out of the Box
New video game channels the chaos and creativity of the 'Florida Man'
The popular "Florida Man" trope — which usually features a Florida person getting up to less-than-legal shenanigans, sometimes involving reptiles — has inspired an upcoming video game. But rather than mocking the Sunshine State, the game celebrates the authenticity Florida and sometimes chaotic nature has to offer.
» More from WUWF.
Business Profile
Going to bat for kids with autism
In April, fast-growing Fort Lauderdale-based ABA Centers of Florida sponsored Autism Awareness Night at the Miami Marlins’ loanDepot park. ABA Centers brought mobile play areas akin to what it has at its autism care clinics around the country. ABA Centers is the name sponsor of the ballpark’s sensory room where guests can recenter themselves amid the hubbub during games and other events.
» Read more from Florida Trend.