Monday's Afternoon Update
Florida gas prices dip slightly — but don’t get used to it
If there’s a silver lining to Florida’s high gas prices, perhaps it’s that they fell a penny last week. That’s according to AAA. But the auto expert says don’t be fooled — strong upward pressure remains on prices at the pump. Last Wednesday, the average price for gasoline landed at $3.47 per gallon. That set a new 2022 high and was the most expensive daily average since July 2014, AAA said. On Sunday, the state average saw an improvement — albeit tiny — at $3.46 per gallon. More from WFTV.
Florida Trend Exclusive
Despite post-pandemic complications, Miami's iconic International Boat Show roars back
It’s not exactly a return to normal as this week’s Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show kicks off. True, a Miami boat show is back after a pandemic hiatus last year. It expects to draw 100,000. As Sharon Day, president of Catalina Yachts, says, “We’re happy to be back to the boat show times.” But normal? Not so much. More from Florida Trend.
Affordable housing crisis hits Sarasota-Manatee's biggest employers
Affordable housing was a term once mainly discussed for the very poor or disabled receiving Section 8 or other government help. Now, some of the area's largest employers warn that Sarasota and Manatee's affordable housing problem is not just an issue for residents worried about soaring rents and home prices, it has also blown into a broad-based business crisis that impacts jobs and broad sectors of the local economy. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
New Florida-bound Carnival Celebration floated out same day as Disney Wish
It was a good Friday for getting new cruise ships wet. While Disney Wish was getting its first taste of water at Germany, another Florida-bound cruise ship was being floated out at a shipyard in Finland. The Carnival Celebration, a sister ship to Carnival’s Mardi Gras that debuted last summer in Port Canaveral, was surrounded by water from its dry dock construction site at the Meyer Turku shipyard, and will now head to the outfitting pier for the next steps before its debut. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Tampa fintech startup nabs investment from $850 million private equity fund
A North Carolina private equity firm has picked a Tampa financial tech startup for one of the first investments from a fund recently capped at $850 million. Engage Fi, which develops and provides financial services for banks and credit unions, did not disclose the amount of money invested by Charlotte’s Falfurrias Capital Partners. Co-founder and CEO Jenn Addabbo declined to say how much of a stake in Engage Fi Falfurrias now owns, though the investment did result in the firm adding three directors to round out the company’s five-person board. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Out of the Box
Florida’s first courthouse dog ‘Tibet’ retiring after career of comfort
Florida’s first courthouse facility dog is retiring after years of providing emotional support for children navigating the dependency court system. Tibet and her handler, Brenda Kocher, began their work in 2014 with Voices for Children Tampa Bay, helping Guardian ad Litem foster children as they faced stressful situations.
» More from WFLA.
Trade Trends
Where do your Valentine’s Day Flowers come from? They may travel farther than you think
Miami International Airport is spreading the love this February. The airport receives 91% of all the flowers imported to the United States for Valentine’s Day. And while most people head to MIA to fly commercial, the cargo area is running at full force this time of year. Miami has the largest importer airport in the United States, with the country’s largest cold storage facility for perishable goods.
» Read more from the Miami Herald.