Florida Trend Exclusive
Silver wave
As Florida’s population continues to grow, it also continues to gray. About one in every five Florida residents is over the age of 65, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The state’s median age has surpassed 42, eclipsing the national median age of about 39. This silver wave, boosted by the droves of retirees and near-retirees flocking to Florida, has allowed senior-focused economic sectors to flourish. In this report, Florida Trend spotlights several businesses catering to — and capitalizing on — the state’s older adults. More from Florida Trend.
See also:
» Aging in place
Florida gas prices fall to two-month low, but spike may be coming
Florida gas prices have dropped for 10 straight days, with the state average falling 19 cents to $2.94 per gallon — its lowest in two months. Prices are down 14 cents from last week and 58 cents from this time last year. However, AAA officials warn the relief may be short-lived, as oil and gas futures are climbing again. More from Gulfshore Business.
Sarasota County awards $17 million in arts, hurricane recovery grants
The Sarasota County Commission awarded numerous grants for Hurricane Ian recovery as well as to arts programs last week, as part of the county's summer meetings on next year's budget. The commission awarded $2.1 million in Tourist Development Cultural/Arts grants to nearly three-dozen local organizations. That funding comes from the county’s Tourist Development Tax on hotel and other short-term lodging. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Orlando City Council selects Winter Park firm as potential builder for Pulse memorial
After being sidelined by the bitter collapse of the onePulse Foundation, the memorial to the victims of Pulse is as close to reality as it has ever been after the Orlando City Council voted unanimously Monday to begin contract negotiations for its construction. The council agreed with a recent recommendation from city staff and design experts that Gomez Construction Company of Winter Park was the best of the three firms seeking to join the proposed $12 million project. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Greater Miami catches up with NYC in one more way: high income inequality
As New Yorkers have flocked to Miami in recent years, the Magic City has started to look more and more like the Big Apple: Michelin restaurants abound, financial firms fill downtown and Brickell. But now, greater Miami is closing in on one of New York City’s less-flattering superlatives: It’s tied with NYC for having the worst income inequality of the country’s 10 most-populous metro areas. More from the Miami Herald.
Sports Business
The Rays could have a new owner by September
A deal between Tampa Bay Rays owner Stuart Sternberg and group led by Jacksonville-based developer Patrick Zalupski is on track to be completed as soon as September, The Athletic reported Monday. Sternberg and Zalupski have reportedly reached an agreement at around $1.7 billion. The deal is not final and would have to be approved by 75% of the other Major League Baseball team owners.
» More from the Tampa Bay Times and the Jacksonville Daily Record.
Entertainment
Yes, it’s pinball — but it’s not the ’70s. Take a look at this Florida cafe
Jon-Paul Taylor’s love for pinball blossomed inside the Boys and Girls Club of Manatee County when he was about 8 years old. That passion developed into a nifty private collection. And he turned the collection into setting up pinball machines in various breweries and bars in the Tampa Bay area. Eventually, though, Taylor wanted to open his own pinball cafe.
» Read more from the Miami Herald.