Florida GDP passes a European stalwart, aims for more
Adios, Spain. That’s what the economy of Florida is saying, as it passes the European nation in GDP. The Sunshine State, according to the Florida Chamber Foundation, now has a GDP exceeding $1.7 trillion. That’s good for No. 15 in the world, moving up one spot from last year’s rankings. Florida is $25.5 billion behind Australia, the Florida Chamber Foundation says. Florida officials set a long-term goal of becoming a top 10 economy in the world by 2030. [Source: Business Observer]
Quarter of Florida residents ‘seriously’ contemplate leaving state because of high cost of living, survey says
A quarter of Floridians surveyed are “seriously considering” moving elsewhere because of the high cost of living in the state. And when those who are thinking about it somewhat are added, half are contemplating leaving because of the cost of living. The findings are from a survey released Monday by the Business and Economic Polling Initiative at Florida Atlantic University. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Florida gas prices remain below $3 per gallon, even after pump jump
Gas prices in Florida shot up 11 cents per gallon last week, but they still never crossed the $3 mark, according to AAA — The Auto Club Group. The state average fell from $2.92 per gallon on Sunday to $2.87 on Tuesday. By Friday, however, the price jumped 11 cents to $2.98 per gallon. By Monday morning, the price fell to $2.96 per gallon — 4 cents more than a week ago, 15 cents less than last month and 8 cents less than a year ago. [Source: Florida Politics]
Top Florida lawmaker revives 'rural renaissance' push
Florida Senate President Ben Albritton is reviving his "Rural Renaissance" plan to boost funding for rural areas. The plan aims to improve education, health care, housing, and infrastructure in less-dense parts of the state. Last year's version of the bill failed due to a dispute over tax cuts between Gov. Ron DeSantis and House Speaker Daniel Perez. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Chasing rare beauty: Poachers brave dangerous Florida swamps for imperiled ghost orchid
The ghost orchid, native to only Florida and Cuba, is a leafless web of roots splayed on the trunks of native trees. It’s also taxing to find, but the orchid’s ribbon-like white bloom makes the dangerous trek well worth it – especially for those drawn to rarity. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimated there are less than 1,000 ghost orchids left in the United States. The agency proposed the ghost for listing under the Endangered Species Act earlier this year, a potential addition to its state protected status. [Source: WUSF]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Miami becomes home base for Spain’s rising nightlife tech startup
At 15, Alberto Centeno was pedaling across Valencia, Spain with a backpack full of party tickets. By night, he was making sales; by day, he was learning how to turn chaos into cash. Fast forward a decade, and that teenage tycoon is now the CEO of Fourvenues, a fast-growing software platform that aims to become the “Amadeus of nightlife,” helping clubs, bars, and event promoters manage everything from ticketing and tables to finances and staffing.
› Osceola to provide $1 million for food pantries amid SNAP decrease
Osceola commissioners voted 4-1 Monday to set aside $1 million to aid 38 food pantries, one week after county nonprofits said the increase in need due to a decrease in SNAP funding will spark a “crisis.” “This made me lose sleep the whole weekend, these individuals that rely on SNAP benefits possibly going hungry,” Commissioner Viviana Janer said at the meeting. “It’s very unfortunate that we have to get to this point.” Roughly 24,000 households in Osceola County rely on Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits, Rev. Mary Downey, CEO of the nonprofit Hope Partnership, told state legislators last week.
› City of Gainesville voters set to determine fate of GRU Authority
On Nov. 4, Gainesville residents who live within the city limits will head to the polls to determine who should control Gainesville Regional Utilities: the locally elected City Commission or the governor-appointed GRU Authority. The authority was given control over the city-owned utility after the Florida Legislature's passing of HB 1645, a bill filed by then-Rep. Chuck Clemons, R-Newberry. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill establishing the governor-appointed GRU Authority board on June 28, 2023.
› Hooters Clearwater-based founders regain full ownership of brand
The Original Hooters, founded in Clearwater in 1983, has taken back full ownership of the global Hooters brand. The deal gives the Clearwater-based group control of 140 of 198 U.S. locations, marking a return to its Florida roots and community-first values. For Tampa Bay’s business community, the move is more than a milestone. It brings one of the region’s most recognizable brands back under local control and highlights a growing trend in hospitality as companies find success by returning to authenticity.
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› El Salvador’s Applaudo to set up in Miami, providing digital services to businesses
They were colleagues when U.S. computer giant Dell created a back-office operation in Central America. Then, they formed their own “nearshoring” venture offering tech services to U.S. companies, touting a location closer to the United States than service rivals in India, the Philippines or beyond. Now, El Salvador-based Applaudo, with more than 800 employees in 20 countries, is shifting its U.S. base to South Florida to expand business, lured partly by Miami International Airport’s abundance of flights throughout the Americas.
› Embattled US Recycling site in Sarasota may be sold to affordable housing developer
After years of conflict with the US Recycling crushing facility in their backyard, residents of Sarasota’s Central Cocoanut may finally see the light at the end of their dusty tunnel. McDowell Housing Partners is closing in on a deal to buy the site and turn it into a multi-family, affordable housing development.
› Eagle LNG’s planned $542 million Jacksonville facility sidetracked
A dozen years since the brainstorming began, a North Jacksonville riverfront site for a proposed liquefied natural gas export facility now appears to be available for development as an industrial park. The coronavirus pandemic, inflation, construction costs and supply-chain challenges appear to have sidetracked the proposed $542 million project by Eagle LNG Partners that would have exported liquefied natural gas from North Jacksonville to the Caribbean.
› Tampa Bay Wave launches bluetech accelerator program to support ocean-focused startups
Tampa Bay Wave has launched its newest accelerator program focused on advancing dual-use technologies that improve ocean health, strengthen coastal resilience and support sustainable resource management as part of the "bluetech" industry. The BlueTech|X Accelerator is a product of the nonprofit's involvement with The Continuum, a $13.9 million initiative funded by the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration.