Florida jobless claims down in Thanksgiving week

First-time unemployment claims in Florida were at the lowest level in nearly two years during the holiday-shortened Thanksgiving week. The U.S. Department of Labor on Thursday estimated 3,808 first-time claims were filed in Florida during the week that ended Nov. 27. That was the lowest number since the holiday-shortened Christmas week in 2019, when 3,807 new claims were filed before onset on the Covid-19 pandemic. [Source: News Service of Florida]

Business Beat - Week of December 3rd

Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.

Florida Small Business Development Centers celebrates its 45th birthday

There are 2.8 million small businesses in the state of Florida — 99.8% of the state’s businesses, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration in 2021. Since 1976, the Florida Small Business Development Centers have assisted entrepreneurs in all aspects of the business cycle. Funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Florida SBDC offers professional expertise and business training essential to develop, innovate, restore or transition a small business. [Source: WUFT]

A legislative proposal has the potential to increase lawsuits against Florida municipalities

In a proposal drawing heavy fire from local governments, a Senate committee Tuesday approved a measure that could lead to cities and counties facing lawsuits because of decisions that lead to reduced revenue or profits for businesses. The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 7-4 to back the proposal (SB 620), which would allow businesses to sue if local ordinances cause at least 15 percent losses of revenue or profits. The bill would apply to businesses that have been operating for at least three years. [Source: News Service of Florida]

Climate change increasingly a bipartisan issue in Florida

Belief in climate change among Florida Republicans has climbed to nearly 9 out of 10 adults, apparently trending upwards, according to a new analysis of five sequenced surveys since 2019 conducted by researchers at Florida Atlantic University. The climate change issue may therefore no longer be an effective campaign trail theme for the state's party leaders as both parties gear up for the mid-term elections. [Source: FAU News]

Five dimensions of care in higher education

Providing academic and career support for post-secondary students isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s an organizational imperative that shows up in outcomes. Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA), which began operating more than 27 years ago, follows a student-supported model. This approach not only makes skills training and certification more accessible to a broad range of learners, but it also effectively equips and empowers graduates to excel in healthcare careers – roles for which there is a vital need throughout Florida and around the country. [Spomsored repotr]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Florida Power & Light execs worked closely with consultants behind ‘ghost’ candidate scheme [Orlando Sentinel]
Top executives at utility giant Florida Power & Light worked closely with the political consultants who orchestrated a scheme to promote spoiler candidates in three key state Senate elections last year, according to documents obtained by the Orlando Sentinel. The records show that the consultants who controlled Grow United Inc., the dark-money nonprofit at the center of the “ghost” candidate scandal, billed FPL for more than $3 million days before they began moving money through the entity.

› Tervis opening new North Port fulfillment center [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Tervis, the local drinkware manufacturer based in North Venice, said this week that it will open a new fulfillment center in North Port. The company, which has been headquartered in Florida for more than 50 years, plans to open a 71,000-square-foot facility in the North Port Business Park by next summer.

› Central Florida International Auto Show drives into the OCCC this weekend [WFTV]
Calling all car enthusiasts. The Central Florida International Auto Show is driving into the Orange County Convention Center this weekend. The car show will feature hundreds of new models, electric vehicles, exotic vehicles, an off-road indoor test track, test drives and more.

› Kriseman picks Miami’s Midtown Development to redevelop Tropicana Field [Ta pa Bay Times]
With a little more than a month before he leaves office, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman announced Thursday that he has chosen Miami’s Midtown Development for a makeover of Tropicana Field and the dozens of acres that surround it. But with a new mayor taking over in January and new City Council members joining the board, what will become of Tropicana Field appears far from settled.

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› 'Tis the season: Hotel hosts promotion to shed light on higher-than-normal manatee deaths [Business Observer]
As manatees continue to struggle with higher-than-normal death rates this year, a Bradenton hotel is hoping to bring awareness to the situation. The Compass by Margaritaville, Anna Maria Sound, is launching a ‘Tis the SeaSon promotion in conjunction with November’s Manatee Awareness Month. The hotel is donating $5 for each night booked to the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature’s Manatee Rehabilitation Program.

› 2022 Thunder on Cocoa Beach and Space Coast International Air Show planned for same May weekend [Florida Today]
A major air show and a major powerboat race are scheduled for the same weekend next spring in Brevard County — which has the potential to bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Space Coast. The organizers of both events are seeking approval for special grants from the county to help pay for their expenses.

› COVID-19 kills South Florida cops eight times more often than gunfire the past two years [Miami Herald]
Of the 31 law enforcement officers in South Florida who lost their lives in the line of duty over the past two years, three were killed by gunfire, one died in a car crash and another lost his life to a work-related injury. The other 26 were felled by COVID-19.  

› TEA moving from one riverbank to another [Jacksonville Daily Record]
TEA is moving across the river from the Northbank TIAA Bank Center to the Southbank Riverplace Tower. Susan Boggs, vice president of administration and chief people officer, said Nov. 30 that the Jacksonville-based public power services firm hopes to relocate by summer 2022. TEA employs 170 people in Jacksonville and 50 near Seattle.