Childcare adds big budget pressure to working Florida families
Childcare issues cost Florida businesses billions of dollars annually due to employee turnover and unplanned absences. High childcare and housing costs are driving younger workers out of Florida to other states. Experts suggest businesses can help by offering flexible work, better paid leave, and expanded health benefits. “The business community needs to understand that childcare is a workforce issue,” said Laura Gambino, chief executive officer of the Early Learning Coalition of Brevard. [Source: Florida Today]
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Worm-based recycling
Sam Baker fondly remembers fishing with his grandfather while growing up in Oviedo, northeast of Orlando. But in 2019, when they returned to one of their favorite spots, Baker’s grandfather gestured toward the water: “We’ve been skunked here. All the fish are dead.” Sam Baker fondly remembers fishing with his grandfather while growing up in Oviedo, northeast of Orlando. But in 2019, when they returned to one of their favorite spots, Baker’s grandfather gestured toward the water: “We’ve been skunked here. All the fish are dead.” [Source: Florida Trend]
Federal shutdown delays $77 million in SBA-backed capital for Florida small businesses
The U.S. Small Business Administration estimated Nov. 13 that Florida small businesses missed out on tens of millions of dollars in federally guaranteed loans during the recent government shutdown. “Based on prior lending volume, the SBA estimates it was unable to deliver about $77 million in capital to 135 small businesses in Florida during each week of the shutdown,” an SBA spokesperson said. [Source: South Florida Business Journal]
Florida’s I-95 leads U.S. in fatal crashes
An analysis conducted by the law firm Schiller Kessler Group revealed that between 2019 and 2023, Florida recorded 1,729 fatalities along I-95, comprising nearly one-quarter of all I-95 deaths nationwide. The stretch along Brevard and Volusia counties accounted for 451 of those 1,729 deaths. Much of I-95 throughout Brevard County is listed as a high-injury corridor by the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization. [Source: Florida Today]
Florida urges judge to toss out bear hunt lawsuit
A judge will hear arguments about Florida’s bear hunt on Monday. The conservation group, Bear Warriors United, filed an injunction on top of a recently filed lawsuit. They want to stop the hunt until further studies can be completed about bear populations in Florida. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) website says the state’s bear population is upwards of 4,500 and says there is an increase in encounters with people. More from Spectrum News and WUSF.
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Brevard to consider moving ahead with Indian River Lagoon sales tax renewal
Brevard's 10-year ½-cent lagoon sales tax was passed by 62% of voters in November 2016, establishing the Save Our Indian River Lagoon Trust Fund. Over its decade-long life, the tax will have raised more than $500 million, county officials estimate. But resource managers say it will take another $5 billion and 20 years to save the stressed ecosystem. A recent study by the National Estuary Program estimates the lagoon's economic impact at $2.8 billion per year to the seven-county lagoon region.
› Growing struggle for public dollars worries Central Florida arts leaders
When Orange County commissioners approved $5.16 million in cultural-tourism grants at the end of October, it was a rare bright spot in an autumn of uncertainty for Central Florida’s arts organizations. Local cultural leaders have cast a wary eye on Tallahassee, where the state’s support of arts and culture — for years an established process with rigorous vetting that ran like clockwork — now generates more questions than revenue.
› Bradenton Area Convention Center cuts ribbon on $54M renovation project
Following a $54 million renovation project, the newly expanded Bradenton Area Convention Center is officially open for business. The complex in Palmetto now features 95,000 square feet of meeting space, making it the largest indoor event venue between St. Petersburg and Naples, according to a statement.
› 3 startups win innovation challenge to help cut landfill waste in Miami-Dade
Miami-Dade County produces over 5 million tons of waste annually. That growing mountain of waste is an urgent problem – one that requires innovation beyond traditional recycling efforts. Indeed, only 37% of the County’s waste is actually recycled, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
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› State travel officials launch ‘Arrive Alive’ campaign for Florida roads during holidays
Florida officials are launching the “Arrive Alive” campaign to encourage safe driving on state roads during the holiday season. The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) and Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) are reminding motorists to remain alert and follow traffic laws during the stretch between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Simple elements such as driving responsibly, observing road signs and staying sober on the road can save lives.
› Delray Beach to begin multimillion-dollar replenishment project this winter
Delray Beach is preparing to begin a multimillion-dollar beach renourishment project this winter in an effort to rebuild a shoreline that has been steadily narrowed by storms and rising seas. The work, led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will bring in large volumes of new sand to restore the beach to its full width. City officials said construction was expected to start soon after a groundbreaking ceremony in mid-December and would be substantially finished before the start of sea turtle nesting season on March 1.
› As A3 Foundation collected rodeo money from Miami-Dade, private dollars came, too
It wasn’t just tax money that the A3 Foundation collected for a Miami-Dade County rodeo at Tropical Park. Private sponsors agreed to pay more than $130,000 for this year’s CountryFest, according to county emails. That adds to the amount of rodeo funds that were collected by the politically connected charity, which is already facing questions about how it spent public dollars meant for the rodeo.
› Downtown Vision Inc. presents annual DTJax Awards
Downtown Vision Inc. announced the winners Nov. 13 of its 11th annual DTJax Awards recognizing community leaders, organizations, businesses and entrepreneurs supporting revitalization of Downtown Jacksonville. DVI is a nonprofit business advocacy organization whose mission includes promoting Downtown locally and beyond.