After a year of headwinds, more Floridians are buying EVs. But is momentum slowing?
After years of skyrocketing growth that made Florida the state with the second-most EVs in the country, the cars this year faced headwinds. A brutal hurricane season brought repeated headlines about the cars’ batteries catching fire in salty floodwaters. (Research has found that overall, gas-powered cars catch fire more often than EVs.) And the 2024 election cycle brought a barrage of political rhetoric attempting to make EVs a wedge issue between voters. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Builders are ‘a bit desperate’ to move Florida inventory, says housing market analyst
During the pandemic housing boom, Florida’s housing market was among the hottest in the nation. However, the market has since cooled, with active inventory now back above pre-pandemic levels and falling home prices in areas like Southwest Florida’s Punta Gorda and Cape Coral. Additionally, condo prices are down year over year in nearly every Florida market. [Source: Fast Company]
Unemployment claims in Florida declined last week
Initial filings for unemployment benefits in Florida dropped last week compared with the week prior, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday. New jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs, fell to 4,497 in the week ending December 21, down from 6,049 the week before, the Labor Department said. U.S. unemployment claims dropped to 219,000 last week, down 1,000 claims from 220,000 the week prior on a seasonally adjusted basis. [Source: Lakeland Ledger]
Floridians have no right to bodies of water ‘free of pollution,’ appeals court rules
For the second time this year, a Florida appellate court has ruled against environmentalists fighting to enact a widely supported local clean water measure. The Fifth District Court of Appeal ruled Thursday that although 83% of voters in Titusville approved a 2022 initiative establishing the right to clean water, the city in Brevard County couldn’t enact it because of a 2020 state law preventing local government from giving rights to bodies of water, plants, and animals. [Source: Florida Phoenix]
Duke, Tampa Electric seek storm costs
After facing a barrage of hurricanes, Duke Energy Florida and Tampa Electric Co. on Friday filed proposals to collect about $1.55 billion from customers to cover costs of restoring power and replenishing storm reserves. The proposals, if approved by the Florida Public Service Commission, would lead to customers seeing increases in their monthly bills starting in March and continuing for a year. [Source: News Service of Florida]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› 2024 legal shakeups: Orlando bankruptcies, lawsuits and exits
2024 was a year of major legal developments in Orlando. From iconic brands facing bankruptcy to law firm shakeups and federal lawsuits, the year reflected a dynamic legal landscape. The top legal stories that shaped Orlando's business community included high-stakes bankruptcies, law firm departures and constitutional challenges.
› These 10 companies laid off the most people in Tampa Bay this year
By a few metrics, Tampa Bay’s economy weathered a year of record storms and uneven national job growth with ease. In November, the region’s unemployment rate, at 3.8%, was below the national figure. It had some of the most job gains — 16,800 — of any metro area in the state. But amid the harbingers of success, there were also the thousands in Tampa Bay who lost their jobs this year.
› From semiconductors to stadium deals, which stories made news in Jacksonville in 2024?
As the days dwindle to hours remaining in this year, here are reminders of some of the news around Jacksonville in 2024 that caught people's eye, at least for a while. The Jaguars took big steps toward staying DTWD when the team, City Hall and the National Football League approved a $1.4 billion stadium lease deal keeping Jacksonville an NFL city for the next 30 years.
› Port Canaveral staff receives 3% bonuses after financial results exceed targets
Port Canaveral employees just before Christmas received a special 3% across-the-board bonus, reflecting the port's strong financial results. Canaveral Port Authority commissioners approved the discretionary bonuses in a 4-1 vote, with Secretary/Treasurer Fritz VanVolkenburgh voting no. Special bonus check went out to 246 port employees on Dec. 20.
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› Which South Florida pizza chain was named one of the 50 best in the world?
Did you know there’s a World Pizza Summit? It’s part of the European Pizza Show, which took place in London in November and South Florida's Pummarola Pizzeria Napoletana got major hype. Not only did the boutique brand of eateries — helmed by four brothers from the Mele family — make the list of “50 Top World Artisan Pizza Chains,” coming in at No. 45, but they were the only ones from the Sunshine State to be ranked.
› St. Pete Beach planning board rejects six-story resort on Gulf Boulevard
The St. Pete Beach planning board has recommended that the city commission deny a new hotel resort with a lazy river, two outdoor bars, an indoor arcade and a mini-golf course. Windward Pass Resort, proposed for a 2.67-acre vacant strip on Gulf Boulevard, would include 104 rooms across six stories.
› Low-cost airline is launching new flights in Miami. Here are the details and routes
Low-cost airline Arajet expects to start flights between Miami International Airport and Santo Domingo or Punta Cana by next summer. It’s part of a larger opening between the Dominican Republic and the U.S., and a potential boon for travelers and the tourism industry. The long-awaited debut comes after the Dominican carrier received Department of Transportation approval in December.
› Fee to appeal a parking citation in Sarasota will more than triple in 2025
Those who want to appeal their parking citation in Sarasota will face a steeper risk in 2025. A new city ordinance will raise the fee to appeal a parking violation from $7.50 to $25 as soon as the pineapple drops in 2025. Parking Division Director Broxton Harvey recapped the reform to the City Commission at a December meeting, where commissioners had virtually no pushback.