Florida Trend Exclusive
Florida's 350 biggest companies 2020

Florida Trend's Top 350 - The state's 225 biggest private and 125 biggest public companies, ranked by revenue. The full list contains hundreds of additional contacts, phone, fax, website, full company address, and other information not previously published.[Source: Florida Trend]

Boat, RV dealers ride sales surge

The popularity of recreational vehicles and the RV lifestyle — for so long a key cog in Florida’s tourism-based economy — was already experiencing a resurgence earlier this year. Then came the coronavirus pandemic — and the subsequent economic downturn. Sales of luxury, big-ticket items like RVs and boats were supposed to come to a screeching halt. Just like the years following the 2008 financial crisis. But something funny happened on the way to a COVID-19 crisis-led downturn: a surge in sales. [Source: Business Observer]

Florida bar exam moves to online format in August 2020

The Florida Board of Bar Examiners has announced it will administer an online bar examination on August 18, 2020. The in-person administration of the General Bar Examination scheduled for July 28 and 29, 2020, in Tampa and Orlando, has been canceled. [Source: WCTV]

Florida's official layoff registry shows deep impacts of COVID-19

Florida’s official layoff registry paints a troubling economic picture in Southwest Florida, reflecting thousands of sudden job losses due to the coronavirus pandemic. The state's go-to website for information on Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notifications — or WARN notices — shows COVID-19 resulting in more than 3,600 permanent or temporary job cuts in Lee and Collier counties by larger employers since the pandemic hit in March. [Source: Naples Daily News]

Florida-based supermarket company joins Facebook and Instagram ad pullout

The Stop Hate for Profit movement aimed at Facebook has gained a Florida-based supermarket chain — not Publix, but Southeastern Grocers, parent company of Winn-Dixie, Fresco Y Mas, Harvey’s and Bi-Lo. “Starting July 1, we will put an indefinite hold on further advertising on Facebook and [Facebook-owned] Instagram social media platforms in hopes that they continue to champion progressive change and better enforce their stated policies,” said a Tuesday night email from the Jacksonville-based company. [Source: Miami Herald]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Sarasota Chamber launches ‘support local’ campaign [Sarasota Magazine]
The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce is launching a month-long, small business support initiative called “S ouR Q”. The initiative is focused on generating business by driving customers to local small businesses, particularly in the restaurant and retail industries.

› Florida hospital in virus-hit county scales back surgeries [AP]
Jackson Health System, Miami's largest hospital with about 1,200 regular beds and 200 intensive care unit beds, said it would begin limiting nonemergency admissions beginning Monday because of “a steady increase” in the number of coronavirus patients over the past few weeks.

› Tampa plugs gap for troubled small businesses [Tampa Bay Times]
Tampa has spent millions since mid-April to help pay the bills for business owners and individuals whose lives have been scrambled by the coronavirus. The city is now preparing to spent another $1.2 million to help approximately 580 small businesses who previously didn’t qualify for aid.

› Miami-Dade advised to sue over forever chemicals [Miami Today]
Miami-Dade has sufficient legal standing to sue – and should sue – the makers of so-called “forever chemicals,” a class of some 4,000 substances prevalent in the water supply linked to cancer and birth defects, County Attorney Abigail Price-Williams has confirmed. A recommendation from Ms. Price-Williams’ office for the county to join an existing class action lawsuit should reach the county commission this month, Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava said.

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› Disney is reopening: what you need to know [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Walt Disney World in Florida has announced its reopening dates along with a plan to increase guest safety in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Disneyland reopening has been postponed. Walt Disney World will begin its process on July 11, and Disney is being cautious in reopening its theme parks by putting a number of preventive measures in place.

› Selby Gardens shuts indoor areas after workers contract COVID-19 [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Barely a month after reopening, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens has closed the indoor areas at both the downtown Sarasota and Historic Spanish Point campuses after two administrative employees tested positive for COVID-19. The two employees, who worked at the downtown campus, did not interact with the public and have self-quarantined, the nonprofit announced. Administrative staff that came in contact with the employees will work from home for at least a week.

› Florida company buys largest motorhome dealership in Indiana [Business Observer]
Lazydays Holdings, the nation’s largest RV dealer, announced it has signed a letter of intent to acquire Total Value RV, based in Elkhart, Ind. Total Value RV is the No. 1 motorhome dealership in Indiana, according to a statement. Terms of the acquisition, expected to close within 90 days, weren’t disclosed.

› Million Trees plans pruned [Miami Today]
Million Trees Miami, an initiative funded by Miami-Dade County, has set its sights on establishing a 30% tree canopy in the county through tree giveaways, plantings, grants and special programs directed at shading bus stops and playgrounds. In 2016, the Miami-Dade County Urban Tree Canopy Assessment placed the county’s coverage at 19.9%.