Helene’s toll grows: Nearly 1.2 million without power in Florida, 3 dead
Hurricane Helene made landfall Thursday night in northwestern Florida as a Category 4 storm as forecasters warned that the enormous system could create a “nightmare” storm surge and bring dangerous winds and rain across much of the southeastern U.S. The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Helene roared ashore around 11:10 p.m. EDT near the mouth of the Aucilla River in the Big Bend area of Florida’s Gulf Coast. It had maximum sustained winds estimated at 140 mph ( 225 kph). More from the Miami Herald, the AP, the Tallahassee Democrat, and the Peensacola News Journal.
Business Beat - Week of September 27th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Financial losses put 13 rural Florida hospitals at risk of closure
More than a dozen rural Florida hospitals are at a risk of closing — some in as soon as two years, according to a new report. The report, overall on a national level, found that more than 700 rural U.S. hospitals are at risk of closure due to financial problems, with more than half those hospitals at immediate risk of closure. [Source: Business Observer]
Florida-based team looks to boost semiconductor manufacturing in the state
Announced in January, the Central Florida Semiconductor Innovation Engine is one of 10 inaugural U.S. National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines and is led by BRIDG, a Florida-based, not-for-profit, public-private partnership focused on developing and commercializing advanced technologies. It is the only engine with a semiconductor focus and will initially receive up to $15 million for the next two years. [Source: UF News]
Fight over state ‘misinformation’ on Florida abortion referendum ends up before judge
Supporters of a proposal to enshrine abortion rights in the state Constitution squared off Wednesday against Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration before a Leon County circuit judge in a lawsuit accusing the state of illegally using public resources to spread “misinformation” about the ballot measure. The lawsuit, filed this month by attorneys for the Floridians Protecting Freedom political committee, seeks a temporary injunction to prevent the Agency for Health Care Administration from continuing to disseminate the information online and through television and radio ads. [Source: News Service of Florida]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Towering possibility: Downtown Jacksonville development update
Billions of dollars of investment are in the pipeline for Downtown Jacksonville. Some projects are new, like Ergisi Tower near the Main Street Bridge. Others have been in the works for years, like the Laura Street Trio redevelopment. Some are poised to launch, like the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Stadium of the Future.
› Before 'Wall Street South': How one Boca firm staked its place in finance
Long before the moniker "Wall Street South" became Palm Beach County's calling-card brand, a Boca Raton investment firm had made a name for itself in the world of high finance. Noble Capital Markets, which was founded in the south county city in 1984, found its niche in the world of small, early development businesses with a good idea and passionate entrepreneurial leadership but with an existential need for investors and their dollars. Four decades later, that role remains a guiding north star.
› Central Florida household incomes soar — with these areas leading the way
Incomes continue to grow throughout Central Florida, with the median household income now at $77,378 in the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford metro. That’s a 7.4% increase from the prior year, according to data from the latest American Community Survey by the U.S. Census Bureau, which listed the region’s median household income at $71,857 in 2023 — and much higher than 2019, when it was $61,876.
› St. Pete 3D tech firm lands $20M investment
3D Cloud, a digital asset management platform that hosts 3D design elements for various e-commerce companies, recently received a $20 million investment from Tampa-based Bellini Capital. Arnie Bellini, managing partner of Bellini Capital, sits on the board of 3D Cloud. He is one of two backers, the other being Dan Gilbert, a co-founder of Quicken Loans and owner of the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers, among other projects.
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› Punta Gorda hotel demolition sparks discussion of amending building code
After hearing from a resident claiming the demolition of the Punta Gorda Waterfront Hotel damaged his historic home, Punta Gorda City Council on Sept. 18 discussed amending its building code to require seismic monitoring for some projects.
› Estero-based airline to pay nearly $85K to resolve allegations it underpaid female workers
Estero-based Western Global Airlines will pay nearly $85,000 in back wages and interest to resolve allegations of gender-based pay discrimination at its headquarters. Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Labor announced its Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs had reached a settlement with the airline, stemming from a routine review required of federal contractors.
› After resident backlash, Miami Beach decides not to increase parking rates
Miami Beach elected officials voted Wednesday to prevent parking rate hikes from taking effect in October, striking down a plan by the city administration that was met with swift backlash from the public. The City Commission’s vote was unanimous to block the rate increases, which would have raised street parking in South Beach from $4 to $6 per hour and doubled a discounted rate for city residents from $1 to $2 per hour.
› Beep expects growth in Jacksonville, as Holon facility, U2C progress
As a new manufacturing facility in Jacksonville is expected to produce 5,000 autonomous vehicles annually, Beep, which provides autonomous vehicle software and services, expects to see major job growth in the area, its CEO said. Beep, an Orlando-based company, will provide the services and software to deploy, manage and operate the AVs in Jacksonville.