Florida Trend | Florida's Business Authority

Tuesday's Afternoon Update

DeSantis issues $255M in federal COVID-19 relief to 55 Florida counties

Florida will disperse $255 million in a second round of federal Coronavirus Relief Fund allocations across 55 of the state’s 67 counties, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office announced. Congress approved $150 billion for state and local governments when it adopted the $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Florida received about $8.33 billion from the CARES Act for government assistance. Under the bill, 55 percent was reserved for the state and 45 percent reserved for direct payments to municipalities. More from Florida Trend.

Florida Trend Exclusive
Oceanbased Perpetual Energy generates power from the Gulf Stream

Nasser M.N. Alshemaimry, an investor and entrepreneur who built a solar-powered housing community in a desert and was an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, was at a conference in Scotland in 2018 talking about his desire to tap the Gulf Stream to generate electricity — “the Holy Grail of perpetual energy.” A federal Energy Department official told him to head to Florida Atlantic University and its Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center. More from Florida Trend.

Florida continues to lag in census

With a Sept. 30 deadline looming, Florida continues to lag behind much of the nation in responding to the U.S. census. Data collection will end Sept. 30 for the census, which plays a key role in apportioning congressional seats and divvying up federal money among states. More from the News Service of Florida.

Popular California marijuana company gets Florida license, prepared to open in 2021

A California-based cannabis company known for its celebrity partnerships, colorful marketing and crowd-drawing interiors is headed to Florida. COOKIES, headed up by Bay-area rapper Gilbert Anthony Milan Jr., or “Berner,” has acquired one of Florida’s 22 coveted medical marijuana treatment center licenses and plans to begin business in 2021. More from the Miami Herald.

Sarasota County may eliminate affordable housing requirements for new developments

Now that state lawmakers have removed previously mandatory incentives for local governments to create affordable housing, Sarasota County on Tuesday will consider a number of sweeping changes to affordability requirements. One option is to eliminate affordable housing mandates. Commissioners on Tuesday may also consider amending the county planning maps and codes. That effort is meant to incentivize, not require, affordable housing in certain areas of the county. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Sports Business
No fans at Super Bowl 55? Anything is possible

The Tampa Bay Bucs have started this season with no fans in the stands at Raymond James Stadium. Is it possible Super Bowl 55, slated for Feb. 7, will be fan-less as well, or at least not played before a full-capacity crowd? The NFL certainly is looking at contingency plans if the current coronavirus pandemic hasn’t subsided by early next year.

» More from the Tampa Bay Times.

 

Entertainment
Busch Gardens will focus on outdoor scares for Howl-O-Scream

floridaAfter 21 years of creating elaborate haunted houses for Howl-O-Scream, Busch Gardens is tweaking its after-hours event to keep the scares outdoors and visitors at a safe distance. There will be no indoor haunted houses. Instead, Howl-O-Scream will include 10 outdoor scare zones and there will be a cap on how many people can attend each night. Howl-O-Scream kicks off on Friday. Reservations are required, as are face masks and temperature checks upon arrival.

» Read more from the Tampa Bay Times.