Oil price hikes could mean big shifts for Florida’s crucial tourism industry
The rising price of fuel spurred by the Iran war has pushed a Florida vacation out of reach for many families this summer, even as luxury travel remains strong. The ongoing conflict, which increased the average per-gallon price of gasoline in Florida by about $1.50 to almost $4.50 a gallon over the past year according to AAA, has already led to a slowdown in reservations for cruises departing from Port Canaveral. And things are only expected to worsen after the shutdown of Spirit Airlines last week, which struggled with finances for years, leading some to assess that increasing fuel costs were the final straw. [Source: Politico]
Florida Trend Exclusive
Florida Icon: Allison DeFoor
Allison DeFoor tells us: "Allison DeFoor tells us: "We became the third largest state in the union — bigger than New York — in two lifetimes. That is a huge leap. In a lot of ways Florida wasn’t ready for it. Like a growth spurt in a child, which explains a lot of our lankiness. I think right now we are coming into a period of maturity.." [Source: Florida Trend]
Florida rural voters gloomy on economy, open to government help
A new poll showed more rural voters in the Sunshine State are warming to the idea of government intervention as deep economic anxiety takes hold. Dee Davis, president of the Center for Rural Strategies, which commissioned the survey, said the level of pessimism and worry infecting Florida communities caught researchers off guard. The poll found 55% of rural voters said the rising cost of living is their most important issue, with food prices topping the list of concerns. Among respondents, 46% said the rural economy has gotten worse over the last year and the number of voters who want government to "get out of their way" dropped from 42% in 2023 to 32% today. [Source: Public News Service]
1 in 4 Floridians are not ready for hurricane season. Are you?
According to a news release from AAA, about one in four Floridians, or 23%, have not made any "advanced preparations for hurricane season." Additionally, only about half of Floridians, or 54%, make preparations if a major storm is headed their way. "Hurricane season brings a lot of unknowns, especially when people think about wind, flooding and extended power outages," Mark Jenkins, spokesperson for AAA, said in the release. "While you cannot control the storm, you can control how prepared you are. A solid plan and the right insurance coverage go a long way toward peace of mind." More from AOL and the Panama City News Herald.
Report: Florida ranks No. 7 nationally in hospital safety
A new hospital safety report released last week by nonprofit watchdog organization The Leapfrog Group gave 81 of 191 participating Florida hospitals an “A” rating — boosting the state’s overall hospital safety ranking from No. 15 in the nation last fall to No. 7. The biannual safety grade rates participating general hospitals across the United States based on their ability to protect patients from medical errors, accidents, injuries and infections, according to a release. [Source: Businesss Observer]
Individual and corporate charitable giving
When it comes to philanthropy, individuals and businesses give to charity for a variety of reasons: personal fulfillment, helping important causes and driving civic and corporate engagement. Whether related to annual giving or estate planning, charitable giving can provide significant tax incentives. Maybe that's why corporate and personal charitable giving in the U.S. continues to grow. Americans in the 2024 tax year gave total contributions estimated at $592.5 billion, with individuals giving roughly $392 billion of that. That doesn't include volunteerism, service on nonprofit boards or other giving of time and talent. [Sponsored report]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Proposed Midtown Fort Myers sports complex seen as economic boon
A proposed multiuse sports complex in Midtown Fort Myers at the site of the old City of Palms Park would be a socioeconomic boon for the city, according to an independent study by Points Consulting. Fort Myers hired the firm in January to study the economics of the project proposed last year by Indiana developer Card & Associates. The developer told Fort Myers City Council that an indoor-outdoor sports complex and community center could anchor a larger development.
› South Florida business leaders mobilize to help thousands of laid off Spirit Airlines employees
More than 3,200 Spirit Airlines employees in South Florida discovered they were out of work when the budget carrier abruptly ceased all operations on May 2. A collection of local businesses and support organizations are already working to connect affected workers with assistance services and immediate job opportunities. The collapse of the Dania Beach-based ultra-low-cost carrier – the first major U.S. airline to go out of business in 25 years – wiped out more than 4,000 jobs across the state.
› Amazon-powered store opens at Tropicana Field
The Tampa Bay Rays have opened a new cashierless concession store at Tropicana Field, powered by Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology, bringing another layer of artificial intelligence-driven retail to downtown St. Petersburg. The autonomous store, launched in partnership with Gallery, allows fans to enter the market, grab drinks or snacks and leave without stopping at a traditional checkout counter.
› Rolling Loud Music Festival could mean big bucks for Central Florida’s economy
Analysts are predicting the Rolling Loud Music Festival will have a $200 million economic impact on Orlando’s economy, thanks to an estimated 200,000 visitors who are expected to attend. “Dinner was probably $700 something,” said Allissa, a woman who traveled from South Dakota with a group of friends to attend the festival. David Johnston and his friend Kenny Jimenez traveled from Tampa, Florida. Johnston said they spent quite a bit on several Rolling Loud-related expenses.
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› Jacksonville has $13 million in unspent affordable housing funding
The state of Florida has provided record-high levels of funding to Jacksonville for affordable housing programs, but the city has not spent millions of dollars it has received, even as Mayor Donna Deegan has called solving the affordable housing crisis her top priority. The Florida State Housing Initiatives Partnership program — commonly called SHIP for short — provided $28.5 million to Jacksonville over a three-year period since Deegan took office in July 2023. About $13.4 million of that funding remains unallocated by the city.
› Fort Myers United Way leader exits, organization names interim CEO
The United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades, based in Fort Myers, has named Hannah Pelle, an executive with the nonprofit for more than a decade, interim president and CEO. Pelle, who had most recently been COO, replaces CEO Jeannine Joy, who had been with the organization since 1995.
› Miami-Dade’s sargassum problem isn’t going away — and neither are the costs
This year is predicted to be another big sargassum year, which could potentially be more record-breaking than the 2023 and 2025 seasons. And the problem is only expected to get worse, with blooms growing larger and arriving earlier. Taxpayers spend nearly $4 million each year for tractors to remove sargassum from the shore. But clean-up and processing is just one of the costs of dealing with sargassum.
› Lake Eola swans to be moved elsewhere as Orlando ‘pauses’ program after flu outbreak
For more than a century, the swans at Lake Eola have been among the most iconic symbols of the city of Orlando. But the birds’ time there may now be ending. On Friday, officials announced the city has decided to move its famous swan flock to new homes, putting what is officially being called a “pause” on the program that has kept dozens of birds in the city’s signature park.