Florida Trend | Florida's Business Authority

Wednesday's Afternoon Update

Property insurers are seeking hefty rate hikes in Florida

Roof-damage claims. Lawsuits. Reinsurance costs. For tens of thousands of homeowners, those issues could add up to large property-insurance rate increases if state regulators sign off on proposals presented Tuesday. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation held three hearings as it weighs rate proposals by Kin Interninsurance Network, First Floridian Auto and Home Insurance Co. and Florida Farm Bureau General Insurance Co. and Florida Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Co. More from the News Service of Florida.

Rising gas prices shouldn’t impact Florida tourism, experts say

With gas prices inching closer and closer to the $5 per gallon, one might think the tourism industry in Florida might suffer this summer travel season. Those in the know, however, say that isn’t so.  Dana Young, the CEO of Visit Florida, and Carol Dover, the CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, both spoke in Sarasota on Monday at The Argus Foundation’s “Meet the Minds: The State of Florida Tourism." More from WFLA.

Kissimmee business to help Central Florida’s Hispanic residents purchase homes

A business in Kissimmee is on a mission to help Hispanic residents in Central Florida purchase homes and educate home buyers and realtors about the process toward homeownership. AmeriUno, a bilingual mortgage company, announced it will be holding free educational workshops to help the Hispanic and Latino population of Central Florida attain homeownership. More from Click Orlando.

Plans filed for 54-story downtown Tampa tower, region’s tallest skyscraper

A developer is planning a 54-story residential tower in downtown Tampa that would, if built, be the tallest skyscraper on Florida’s west coast. At 633 feet, the building would be taller than any Florida tower outside Miami-Dade County, and by far the tallest on the Gulf Coast. Tampa’s current tallest tower is 100 North Tampa, which stands 42 floors and 579 feet. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Miami-Dade requires retailers to accept cash payments

County commissioners approved this week new legislation prohibiting retail businesses from refusing to accept cash payments for goods or services. The decision aims to ensure equal access to in-person retail services by the public and would affect over 200,000 businesses in Miami-Dade. The ordinance by Sen. René García prohibits retailers from refusing to accept cash as payment or the posting of signs on the premises stating that cash payment is not accepted, and bans charging a higher price to customers who pay by cash than to customers who use another form of payment. More from Miami Today.

Recreation Trends
1970s' skateboarding, from Jacksonville driveways to one of top skateparks in U.S.

A new city park planned for under Fuller Warren Bridge in Riverside will include a fancy, flowing skateboard attraction split into three sections depending on skill levels. That would have seemed like science-fiction to the long-haired skateboarders of 1970s Jacksonville, who for much of the decade had to find fun where they could — riding downtown parking garages, bombing down short, steep driveways, plunging into empty swimming pools, going up and down homemade ramps.

» More from the Florida Times-Union.

 

Business Profile
FreedomVanGo offers the chance for a life on the road

If your dream has been to live in a van by the river, you now can do it in style. For some retirees, the plan is to sell the house, buy an RV and travel the country discovering America. Today, that vagabond lifestyle is open to all ages. Two Jacksonville business owners understand. Chad Perce and Grant Wilson created FreedomVanGo. It customizes vans with hot water, electrical outlets, kitchens, outdoor showers and even toilet facilities.

» Read more from the Jacksonville Daily Record.