Hurricanes Helene and Milton cause major disruption to small business in Florida
Back-to-back hurricanes Helene and Milton, which slammed Florida in late September and early October, respectively, have caused significant damage to small businesses in the Sunshine State. Small business activity dropped by 40% in October compared to September and another 30% decrease compared to October 2023. More from Florida Politics.
Tupperware's strategy post-bankruptcy: Expand and contract
This is not your mama’s Tupperware. It’s the New Tupperware Co. – or it will be, when a deal hashed out between the old Tupperware and its lenders closes within the next week as part of the ongoing Chapter 11 proceedings. Tupperware filed for bankruptcy protection Sept. 17. More from the Orlando Business Journal.
JaxPort gains new service connecting to five Asian ports
JaxPort is landing a new service that will provide direct connections to five ports in Asia, CEO Eric Green announced Oct. 28. In a report to the JaxPort board of directors, Green said shipping line Ocean Network Express plans to add JaxPort to its East Coast 2 container service beginning in February 2025. More from the Jacksonville Daily Record.
Tax referendum would mean millions for Sarasota County Schools. Here's how it works
A ballot measure in this year’s general election could secure critical funding for Sarasota County Schools. The county’s longstanding millage referendum, which generates funding for the school district through a surtax, is up for renewal in the Nov. 5 general election. If the ballot item passes, it would renew the surtax from 2026-2030 and generate an estimated $114 million in revenue for the school district each year it's in effect. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Like a magnet, 65th Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is poised to jolt local economy, lift seller spirits
For the 65th year, the world’s largest annual in-water boat show kicks off at noon Wednesday with another strong roster of vessels of all sizes for the rich and not-so rich: An estimated 100,000-plus visitors are expected to traverse seven venues at the show to view more than 1,300 vessels and maybe talk some business with more than 1,000 exhibitors. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Sports Business
Money talks. Will tradition walk? Florida-Georgia has uncertain future in Jacksonville
The University of Florida and the University of Georgia football teams will face each other for the 94th time in Jacksonville on Nov. 2 at EverBank Stadium. Next year’s Florida-Georgia game will make it 95 – with 87 of them played in Jacksonville since 1933 when it began on the banks of the St. Johns River on an annual basis. Beyond that?
» More from the Florida Times-Union.
Arts
Original Audubon prints on view at Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg
New at the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg is “Audubon’s Birds of America,” a collection of 46 prints on loan from the National Museums of Scotland. In the early-to-mid 19th century, John James Audubon — a French American born on the island now known as Haiti — revolutionized the way the world looked at birds.
» Read more from the Tampa Bay Times.