Thursday's Afternoon Update
Florida flippers see deals, profits shrink
Statewide, home flips accounted for 5.7 percent of all home sales in the period, down 18 percent over the year and the 10th highest rate in the U.S. Nationally, the flipping rate was 5.2 percent, down from 5.4 percent last year and 6.6 percent in the first quarter. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
See also:
» National stats on home flipping from ATTOM Data Solutions
Lidl dismisses Florida expansion report
In response to a recent article in the Tampa Bay Business Journal noting that Lidl has begun eyeing real estate in Florida, the deep-discount grocer said it has no plans as yet to expand into the Sunshine State. More from Progressive Grocer and FoodDive.
One of Cincinnati’s largest private companies merges with Florida firm
CE Power in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Power Grid Engineering (PGE) in Lake Mary, Florida have merged to create a holding company that will oversee services for utilities and the electric system in 30 states, the companies announced Wednesday. See an announcement about the new Qualus Power Services Corp., here. More from the Cincinnati Business Courier.
Commentary: We have the resources to save Florida’s dying coral reefs. Now, we just need the will.
Florida’s coral reef system is the third-largest living reef on the planet and the only barrier reef system in the continental United States. It supports more than 70,000 local jobs, draws $6.3 billion into Florida’s economy and buffers our coasts from wave energy and storm surge in our hurricane prone region. More from the Miami Herald.
Bank’s first free-standing Florida branch completed.
Three Fort Myers firms teamed up to design and build the first Florida free-standing location of MidWestOne Bank in Fort Myers. Stevens Construction built the new, 6,689-square-foot bank that includes seven offices, conference room, lobby, coffee bar, tellers and a drive-through. More from the Business Observer.
Technology
Free wi-fi hotspots growing
As more Florida businesses take advantage of the benefits of offering free Wi-Fi and customers’ expectations increasingly include it, the web of hotspots grows. From coffee shops and bars to car repair shops and the government sector, organizations benefit in a variety of ways from offering Wi-Fi.
» More from Florida Weekly.
Community Trends
A feud between a commissioner and a nightclub. At stake: the heart of Little Havana
Two men, each powerful in his own way, are pulling Little Havana in opposite directions. On one side, a wealthy Little Havana nightclub owner and developer, who has brought tourism and youth to neglected buildings in this historic part of Miami. On the other, a zealous city commissioner, acting on what he feels is a mandate from the neighborhood’s older residents to preserve a way of life.
» Read more from the Miami Herald.