Private insurers ok’d to take Citizens policies
Homeowners’ insurance policies appear poised to continue flowing out of the state’s Citizens Property Insurance Corp. in 2025. The latest indication came Monday, when Florida Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky signed orders approving proposals by three private insurers to assume up to 160,440 policies from Citizens in March. [Source: News Service of Florida]
FAU renames football stadium after striking $22 million sponsorship deal with local bank
Florida Atlantic University will rename its football stadium after nailing down its first naming-rights deal for the 13-year-old facility. Flagler Credit Union has agreed to pay the university $22.5 million over 15 years for its name to adorn to the 30,000-person-capacity stadium. The stadium’s new name will be Flagler Credit Union Stadium. The deal, approved unanimously Tuesday by the university’s board of trustees, came one day before Wednesday’s Boca Raton Bowl, which will be played at the stadium between James Madison University and Western Kentucky University. [Source: Palm Beach Post]
Volusia County affordable housing project could lead to flooding issues, expert says
Concerns are being raised over potential flooding impacts from a new affordable housing development just outside Orange City and on West Minnesota Avenue. Dr. Wendy Anderson, an environmental science professor at Stetson University and an appointed member of the Volusia Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors — a board that promotes low-impact development — believes this 60-plus unit affordable housing project could impact neighboring areas. [Source: WESH]
Commercial space industry placing wastewater infrastructure pressure on Brevard County
Brevard County officials say they are being pressured by state officials to use Brevard tax dollars to expand wastewater facilities in the north part of the county to handle to industry's increasing demands. Space Florida is pursuing a significant expansion of wastewater treatment capacity at the Merritt Island Sykes Creek treatment plant, requesting that the county increase the plant's capacity to handle an additional 300,000 gallons per day by 2027. [Source: Florida Today]
Utility's rate hike proposal gets strong pushback from residents
Florida Public Service Commissioners heard Tuesday evening from Central Floridians who would be impacted by the Sunshine Water Services Company’s pending request to increase customers’ monthly rates for water and wastewater. If the higher rates are approved, the typical Sunshine customer would pay nearly 23% more for water and about 16% more for wastewater, according to the private utility’s request filed with the PSC earlier this year. The rate increases would impact customers in Lake, Marion, Orange, Polk and Seminole Counties, along with five other Florida counties. [Source: Central Florida Public Media]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Orange County aims to ‘resurrect’ film industry with new film incentive program
A proposal is expected to come before the Orange County Commission in February or March for approval.
› Rare coral added to endangered species list
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Monday Florida’s very rare pillar coral is being added to the endangered species list.
› McNicholas & Associates surpasses 25 years of excellence in strategic influence
Since forming in 1999 and gaining notoriety for providing strategic communications counsel to several high-profile litigators, including Johnny Cochrane, Willie Gary and Richard Kibbey, McNicholas & Associates has continued to evolve and expand over its 25 years of client-focused operations.
› 400 Central developer buys more land in downtown St. Pete
Red Apple Real Estate, the developer of St. Pete’s tallest condo tower to date, has paid $13 million for a piece of land in the city’s Mirror Lake neighborhood that will be home to its next development.
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› Thornton Family donates 400 island acres to North Florida Land Trust
The property is located just west of Fort Clinch State Park and north of Atlantic Avenue, consisting of wetlands.
› 2 Florida cities rank top 10 on this list of the best places to celebrate New Year’s Eve
Two Florida cities made it on a list of the top 10 cities in the U.S. that are the best options for a safe and exciting New Year’s Eve.
› Saildrone gets contract to survey part of Florida’s coastal waters
Many parts of the Florida coast remain not surveyed, with existing nautical charts relying on outdated and low-resolution data.
› ‘A broken market’: Florida’s childcare system is failing
After Hurricane Wilma wiped out much of the Keys’ childcare infrastructure back in 2005, Palma Lopez saw a glaring need — and an opportunity. But after nearly 20 years in the industry, Lopez’s business is in dire straits, perpetually teetering on the brink of collapse.