Helene weakens into tropical storm, but say hi to Hurricane Isaac ... and 3 other systems
Helene may have weakened into a tropical storm early Friday, but Isaac promptly strengthened into a hurricane to take its place. The National Hurricane Center also is tracking three other systems out there, including one in the Caribbean Sea and two in the Atlantic. One could become Tropical Storm Joyce later today. More from the Gainesville Sunand TC Palm.
Six months later: The drama behind the $3.1B PGT Innovations sale
March 27 was a seismic day in the history of Venice-based PGT Innovations, founded in 1980. That was the day a $3.1 billion sale of the company, to Pennsylvania-based Miter Brands, closed. The blockbuster acquisition for the window and door maker took years to come together. It also took hundreds of phone calls, dozens of meetings and determined and competitive executives. More from the Business Observer.
Port Canaveral inspections completed; port hopes to reopen today to cruise traffic
Port Canaveral is expected to reopen later today after being closed as Hurricane Helene brushed by Brevard County. Crews have completed inspecting the channel at Port Canaveral for shoaling and debris this morning. Port officials say there were no issues the crews found that would prevent the reopening of the port. More from Florida Today.
‘Put this chapter behind us’: Miami agrees to pay $12.5M to settle Ball & Chain lawsuit
The Miami City Commission on Thursday agreed to pay $12.5 million to settle a lawsuit accusing the city of carrying out a “vendetta” against a group of Little Havana businesses, marking a partial resolution in a years-long legal entanglement between local nightclub owners and Commissioner Joe Carollo. More from the Miami Herald.
CFCArts retrenches, refocuses as it makes financial progress
On its 14th anniversary, Central Florida Community Arts is making a comeback. Two months after revealing a financial crisis, CFCArts officials say they have have made up $500,000 of an estimated $600,000 budget gap for the year. “We’re not done,” interim executive director Justin Muchoney said. “But the progress is pretty remarkable.” He attributed the turnaround to community support, in particular from the organization’s hundreds of members. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Business Beat - Week of September 27th
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Out of the Box
Air taxi company adds electric seagliders to transportation network
UrbanLink Air Mobility is adding electric seagliders to its planned local electric transportation network of air and water taxis in South Florida and Puerto Rico. The Miami company announced it ordered 27 all-electric seagliders from Rhode Island-based Regent Craft. The 12-person Viceroy passenger vessels can travel up to 180 miles on a single charge.
» Read more from the South Florida Business Journal.