‘The floodgates have opened’: 2020 sees surge of business transplants to South Florida

Sparked in part — but not entirely — by COVID, local real estate professionals say they are receiving more inquiries than ever from businesses and individuals looking to land in South Florida. The prevailing sentiment is that the usually steady stream of transplants South Florida has always attracted has accelerated this year to a pace hardly seen before. “I think COVID has opened up the floodgates,” said Danet Linares, vice chairman at Blanca Commercial Real Estate. “They’re locked down in their homes, and with technology enhancing the work environment, they’re now saying I can work from home from anywhere.” [Source: Miami Herald]

Florida unlikely to increase jobless benefits, even with federal aid set to expire

When federal aid for jobless benefits runs out Dec. 31, hundreds of thousands of unemployed Floridians will again rely on paltry state-paid benefits that currently max out at $275 a week and 12 weeks, among the lowest in the country. But Florida’s new legislative leaders aren’t inclined to hike the weekly amount when they convene in March. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Dozens of Florida counties at COVID-19 ‘tipping point’ before Thanksgiving, data show

Daily COVID-19 cases in a majority of Florida counties have reached a “tipping point” before Thanksgiving, according to Harvard University data. Researchers are mapping coronavirus risk by state and county by the seven-day average of new cases per 100,000 people. As of Monday, at least 47 of Florida’s 67 counties are in the “red” zone, with an average of 25 or more cases per 100,000 people. [Source: Miami Herald]

HIV/AIDS patients to be among first to benefit from Florida’s import drug program

A plan that policymakers hope will lower the prices for prescription drugs in Florida is now one step closer to reality; people with chronic illness, including HIV/AIDS, will be among the first to benefit. On Monday, Gov. Ron DeSantis‘ office announced that the state’s Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) officially submitted its Section 804 Importation Proposal (SIP) to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for Florida’s Canadian Prescription Drug Importation Program. [Source: Florida Politics]

Publix named one of Fortune's Best Workplaces in Retail

Fortune has named Publix one of the 2020 Best Workplaces in Retail, ranking No. 3 of the 15 best large retail workplaces. Great Place to Work surveyed more than 900,000 employees across the U.S. in the retail industry. Questions focused on their experiences with their companies, including the effectiveness of leaders, company values and ability to reach their full potential. [Source: Florida Trend]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Jacksonville area home to fourth-highest number of energy efficient jobs in Florida [Jacksonville Business Journal]
The Jacksonville metro area is home to the fourth-highest number of energy efficient jobs in Florida, according to a recent report. A study from E4TheFuture and E2 found that Jacksonville has 8,429 energy efficient jobs in 2019. Miami-Fort Lauderdale, which had 44,918 jobs last year, led the state.

› This Miami supplier is manufacturing millions of masks. Why won’t anyone buy them? [Miami Herald]
Today, America’s PPE supply chain is lurching back to life. Yet many hospitals, businesses and state and local governments still remain short on medical-grade face coverings as they continue to exhaust existing supplies. DemeTech, a Miami-area medical device manufacturer, has been trying to bridge the gap by hiring hundreds of new workers to make Food and Drug Administration-approved surgical masks — which only look like ones you’d buy at a corner store — and Centers for Disease Control-approved N95 respirators.

› FPL vehicle charging plan gets backing [News Service of Florida]
The state Public Service Commission next week should approve a Florida Power & Light proposal that would lead to more vehicle-charging stations, commission staff members recommended Friday. FPL in June filed the proposal to create a five-year pilot program for “fast charging” stations that, at least in some cases, would be operated by the utility. The commission is expected to consider the issue during a Dec. 1 meeting.

› New Orlando hotel atop downtown skyscraper seeks 60 employees [Orlando Sentinel]
The AC Hotel by Marriott, perched atop downtown Orlando’s newest skyscraper, is planning to open in January and has 60 jobs to fill. Its debut comes as thousands of employees from hotels across Central Florida are still out of work due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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› Fort Lauderdale mixed-use project eyes March groundbreaking [The Real Deal]
A proposed mixed-use development near Fort Lauderdale’s Flagler Village aims to break ground in mid-March. Thrive Progresso will bring 80,000 square feet of office, mini-warehouse and food and beverage space to about 5 acres at 746 Northwest 5th Avenue, Jonathan Fish told The Real Deal. Fish and his brother, Abraham, are developing the project.

› Brightline, Disney announce agreement for Disney Springs train station [Orlando Sentinel]
Brightline and Walt Disney World Resort announced Monday an agreement to build a train station at Disney Springs. The passenger-rail company had previously announced that it was in talks with Disney over a station but had not revealed a location. The agreement hinges on Brightline securing government approvals.

› Sarasota City Manager Tom Barwin to present separation agreement to commission [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Sarasota City Manager Tom Barwin could get more than $82,300 in compensation from the city under his proposed departure deal. Barwin could also retain his benefits for up to 20 weeks if he retires at the Dec. 7 City Commission meeting.

› Dunedin nonprofit helps caregivers practice self-care through yoga [Tampa Bay Times]
Jennifer Henius, of Palm Harbor, began to look for a way to give back to the healthcare system when COVID-19 hit Florida in mid-March. Henius, 43, had recently left the Department of Veteran Affairs in Washington, D.C., where served on the leadership team to implement the VA’s National Caregiver Support Program. She also is a yoga teacher, so she started a private Facebook group and recruited other local instructors to provide free online yoga classes to those who care for ailing loved ones.