Florida Trend Exclusive

A new generation of Florida executives is making its mark

A new generation of executives — from a former ballerina to a former teenage line cook — is making its mark across the state and beyond: Melbourne native and UCF finance grad Josh Paul, senior associate, Hyde Park Capital, Tampa, specializes in middle-market deals and working with the owners of family- and founder-owned companies, especially in health care, in exiting the businesses. He recently was appointed to the Florida Venture Forum’s board of directors. See all the profiles at Florida Trend. 

Florida seeing an upward trend in COVID-19 cases

After seeing a steady decline in new COVID-19 cases, Florida is once again starting to see numbers trend upward. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's COVID Data Tracker new reported cases of coronavirus reached 2,590 as of Dec. 10. The last time the state saw cases that high was in October. The same goes for the Sunshine State's seven-day moving average. The data tracker shows Florida is averaging 2,016 cases as of Dec. 10 compared to the 2,115 it averaged on Oct. 23. [Source: WTSP]

FanDuel antes up again for gambling initiative

The online gambling company FanDuel in November contributed another $4.38 million to an effort to pass a constitutional amendment that would broadly allow sports betting in Florida. FanDuel made the contribution to the Florida Education Champions political committee, which is trying to put the proposed amendment on the November 2022 ballot. [Source: ews Service of Florida]

Nikki Fried names 2021 Woman of the Year in Agriculture

Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried named a North Florida farmer Monday as the 2021 Woman of the Year in Agriculture. The award winner, Angela TenBroeck, is both a hydroponic farmer and a longtime STEM educator. She’s also led a slew of projects, including Sustainable Agriculture Excellence and Conservation, a nonprofit teaching farmers sustainability. More from  Florida Politicsand Florida Trend.

Workers who stick with this Central Florida company could get a mortgage-free home

Companies big and small are competing to lure and keep workers these days, but one Altamonte Springs-based company is going well beyond offering the usual bonuses or higher pay. Mechanical One, which provides air conditioning and plumbing for new developments, plans to hold a drawing next December to choose two staff members who will receive new houses, mortgage-free. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Gulfport residents get $50 vouchers from city to support businesses [WTSP]
The "Rebound Program" officially started this week in Gulfport. The city gave residents two $25 vouchers which can be used at local businesses participating in the program. City leaders said it's aimed at revitalizing the local economy from COVID-19's financial impact. Residents can also use the vouchers toward their city utility bills.

› A Miami company recalls cold medicine nationwide for possible contamination (again) [Miami Herald]
For the third time in just over two years, Rompe Pecho flu and cold medicines have been recalled on the possibility of having a microbial contamination. Efficient Laboratories, based in Northwest Miami-Dade, pulled 12 lots over four varieties of Rompe Pecho over the weekend for the same reason it recalled some in 2019 and 2020. 

› Historic event: Palm Beach to host largest boat parade on record [WJXT]
An unprecedented 66 boats are registered to participate in The 2021 Palm Coast Holiday Boat Parade on December 18 at 6 p.m. Presented by the Palm Coast Yacht Club, the parade is recognized as the largest boat parade of any kind in Central Florida. Organizers believe it to be the largest community boat parade in the entire state.

› Tampa RV dealer surpasses $1B in annual revenue   [Busiess Observer]
Lazydays (NASDAQ: LAZY), one of the nation’s largest RV retailers, exceeded $1 billion in annual revenue this year and, to mark the milestone, held a celebration for employees of the Tampa-based firm, which was founded in 1976 and now has locations across the United States.

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› A new sports bar in Delray Beach wants to stay open until 2 a.m. It’s raising major concerns among residents. [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Delray Beach has long confined the festiveness from its late-night bars and restaurants to a half-mile stretch on Atlantic Avenue, but that could come to an end. Bounce Sporting Club, an upscale sports bar set for the $300 million Atlantic Crossing development on Atlantic just east of Federal Highway, is hoping to become a new destination site on the Ave. The bar, however, sits outside the city’s entertainment district, which runs from Swinton to Federal Highway and allows businesses to stay open until 2 a.m.

› St. Petersburg community bank breaks ground on new branch in region  [Business Observer]
St. Petersburg-based First Home Bank last week broke ground on its eighth banking center in the Tampa Bay region, and second in Sarasota. The new branch, according to a news release, will be located at 2075 S. Tamiami Trail. Construction of the 6,000-square-foot building will begin in January; it is expected to open in late 2022 or early 2023.

› Tools that shaped Alachua County on display at museum [Gainesville Sun]
Drooping branches swing low over the roof top of the Tison Tool Barn. The pine beams and logs that were used in making the structure are stained with age. But, inside the barn is housed a collection of old woodworking tools polished to precision. Saws of all kinds, hammers, wrenches and axes adorn the walls. Planers, augers, screwdrivers and wooden levels rest on shelves. The rare goose wing German axe and an enormous 6-foot-long one-man saw, are eye catching to say the least.

› City approves $1.7 million design contract for park at former Jacksonville Landing [Jacksonville Daily Record]
Jacksonville City officials finalized a $1.7 million contract with firm Perkins & Will to complete designs for a public riverfront park Downtown at the former Jacksonville Landing site. The order, signed Dec. 3 by city Chief Administrative Officer Brian Hughes, executed the contract with the international design firm.