Val and Jerry Demings tout infrastructure bill's Central Florida benefits

Central Florida stands to receive tens of billions of dollars in money to expand Lynx routes, put in electric charging stations for greener vehicles, and improve SunRail and Amtrak. Congresswoman Val Demings says an additional $100 million will go toward improving broadband access for some 707,000 families in the region. [Source: WMFE and Florida Politics]

Florida Trend Exclusive
Legal Elite Hall of Fame

The Legal Elite Hall of Fame comprises a distinguished group of attorneys who have consistently earned high rankings from their peers in the annual Legal Elite voting. This year nine new members join the Hall of Fame: Kenneth Bell, Jacqueline Calderin, Lorie Lee Chism, Christine Lynne Derr, Kelli Ayers Edson, Cristin Conley Keane, David Pratt, David H. Simmons and Brian Tannebaum. [Source: Florida Trend]

Ormond Beach businesses get creative ahead of Small Business Saturday

Small shop owners are banking on Small Business Saturday to catch them up after a year of pandemic woes. “Small business Saturday is usually our biggest event of the year with the whole community,” said Joy Myers, owner of Joyologie in Ormond Beach. Owners like Myers are going on almost two years in a pandemic and now, supply chain issues are raising the cost of items or heavily delaying shipping. Getting creative is something many shop owners are doing this week to prepare. [Source: WKMG]

Florida Memorial ends 18 degree programs, announces pay cuts for more than 80 employees

Florida Memorial University, the only HBCU in South Florida, will implement more restrictive policies for borrowing money and more accelerated policies to repay money from its endowment. It will also set new fundraising and contribution goals for its board of trustees, and study new ways in which it can use its land for extra revenue, according to a memo sent to the FMU community Monday by a task force created to address the university’s accreditation issues. [Source: Miami Herald and Miami Times]

St. Pete ocean science center tops USF’s legislative wish list

At the top of the University of South Florida’s wish list this year for capital funds from the Florida Legislature is a request that leaders across the region say could boost St. Petersburg’s stature as a marine science hub. The university plans to request $30 million during the upcoming legislative session and $30 million in 2023 to launch an $80 million facility on its St. Petersburg campus dubbed the Interdisciplinary Center of Excellence in Environmental and Oceanographic Sciences. The Legislature convenes on Jan. 11 for its regular 60-day session. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Comcast RISE investment fund awards $1 million in grants to 100 South Florida minority-owned businesses [WTVJ]
The Investment Fund is an extension of Comcast RISE and to date, has already awarded $11 million in grants

› ‘This is unjust’: Restaurants sue Miami Beach over crackdown on outdoor dining permits [Miami Herald]
Two Lincoln Road restaurants have sued the city of Miami Beach over a new law that places enhanced requirements on businesses applying for sidewalk cafe permits.

› Cruise lines offer up Black Friday, Cyber Monday deals [Orlando Sentinel]
With the cruise industry back from the dead, cruise lines are looking to get more people on board with some deals tied around the traditional holiday shopping spree that comes with Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

› What Congress should do to protect Medicare providers [Tampa Bay Times]
If Medicare providers aren’t protected, care of Medicare patients could suffer as well.

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› Space Coast ranks 135th out of 150 metro areas for single millennials, new study shows [Florida Today]
Space Coast political and tourism leaders routinely tout the region's stellar national rankings in economic growth, destinations to move to, places to retire and more. But...

› COVID-19 hospitalizations see slight decrease [News Service of Florida]
The number of people hospitalized in Florida with COVID-19 decreased slightly during the past week, according to data posted online Monday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

› Netflix Shares First Look at Florida-Based 'Selling' Spinoff [ET]
Netflix shared the official first look at the newest series in the growing Selling franchise, Selling Tampa. Set for a December premiere, the Florida-based spinoff will follow the owner and agents of the all Black, all female firm, Allure Realty.