Sunshine State solar slowdown: Installers scrambling for panels, big projects delayed

Florida solar installers are scrambling for panels amid a nationwide market slowdown, and some are turning to older, less efficient models to get the job done. The utility with the nation’s biggest solar and wind investments, NextEra Energy, said up to three-quarters of its 2022 solar projects could be delayed until at least next year. The CEO of its subsidiary, Florida Power & Light, said the utility can’t find anyone in the U.S. willing to sell them more panels. [Source: Miami Herald]

Florida Trend Exclusive

Miami: The 'City of the Future'

From its roots as a vacation destination and emergence generations ago as a hemispheric hub of trade and finance, Greater Miami continues to redefine itself. Its role in the innovation, technology, and investment marketplace has earned global appeal. Even before thousands descended upon the region during the pandemic, entrepreneurs and executives had discovered a business-focused community. [Source: Florida Trend]

Florida law targeting Facebook, Twitter is unconstitutional, U.S. appeals court rules

Dealing a major setback to Gov. Ron DeSantis, a three-judge appellate panel on Monday ruled that a 2021 Florida law targeting social-media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter unconstitutionally restricts the companies’ First Amendment rights. Monday’s decision by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld most of a preliminary injunction imposed in June by U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle. [Source: Miami Herald]

Credit unions near and far target Florida banks for acquisition

We all know how much Michiganders like to vacation along Florida’s Gulf Coast, but it turns out credit unions in the Great Lakes State have a thing for Florida, too — particularly our banks. "Credit unions are buying banks to enter new markets, diversify their balance sheets and income statements, as well as to add expertise in areas such as commercial banking," DFCU President and CEO Ryan Goldberg says. [Source: Business Observer]

Floridians could flock to shelters if hurricanes loom

An increased demand for shelter space is expected if hurricanes threaten Florida’s coastline in the upcoming storm season. With COVID-19 protocols lifted, and people pinching pennies as inflation has hit a four-decade high, emergency-management officials anticipate people will opt for public shelters rather than drive to hotels hundreds of miles away when storms approach. [Source: News Service of Florida]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Children's Trust program to help Alachua teens pick up summer internships [Gainesville Sun]
Children's Trust of Alachua County TeensWork summer program is a go after finding two contractors to run the program: the Minority Business Listing and Goodwill Industries of North Florida. The TeensWork summer initiative is a pilot initiative that will employ Alachua County youth ages 14 to 18 as interns during the summer.

› Flight training school partners with Purdue University [Business Observer]
Paragon Flight Training, based at Page Field in Fort Myers, has announced a new flight training partnership in conjunction with Purdue University Global. The program, according to a statement, will “reduce the overall time and expense it takes for students in Purdue Global’s acclaimed aviation program to earn their Bachelor of Science in professional flight.”

› Solera Holdings seeks permit, employees for Jacksonville center [Jacksonville Daily Record]
Solera Holdings LLC, a Texas-based venture that originates and funds customer financing, appears to be setting up a regional facility in the Prominence office park in the Baymeadows area of Jacksonville. The city is reviewing a permit application for Solera Jacksonville for tenant build-out of 40,230 square feet of space on the third floor at 8900 Prominence Parkway. Plans indicate office and administrative workspace and break, training and meeting rooms.

› Busch Gardens brings ambitious coaster and a festival for summer vacation season [Tampa Bay Times]
There were already billboards up around Tampa Bay two years ago, announcing a new monster coaster coming to Busch Gardens, when the pandemic shut down Florida’s theme parks for a couple of months. When Busch Gardens reopened, they put the dramatic Iron Gwazi coaster on hold. The park has finally unleashed the coaster, debuting it earlier this year to rave reviews from thrill junkies.

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› Benderson Development buying another struggling local mall [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Benderson Development Co., the Manatee County-based company behind Sarasota's University Town Center, said that it has purchased another local mall - the Crossings at Siesta Key. Benderson, which already owned the former Dillard's box at the mall where Aldi and Esporta Fitness currently operate, said it now owns the remainder of the partially enclosed regional mall, a purchase that includes 439,958 square feet of space.

› Delray Beach weather stations keeping an extra eye on the sky during hurricane season [WPBF]
Three new weather stations stand on the beaches and in the city of Delray Beach. Installed in April, they stand ready for their first hurricane season. "We're really preparing for the current and future risk of storms here in South Florida," Chris Bell, the emergency manager of the city of Delray Beach, said, referring to the new weather stations.

› Jazz Fest returns to downtown Jacksonville over Memorial Day weekend. Here's what you need to know [Florida Times-Union]
The Jacksonville Jazz Festival returns to downtown next weekend, with two stages, three days of live music and nearly two dozen performers — and it's all free. Here's what you'll need to know before heading out to the festival, which returns to its traditional Memorial Day weekend slot in the downtown streets after playing in the fall last year and not at all the year before.

› Dolphins owner Stephen Ross buys Deauville hotel, proposes luxury complex in Miami Beach [Miami Herald]
The historic Deauville Beach Resort in Miami Beach, a beachfront hotel being demolished after a five-year shutdown, has been purchased by Miami Dolphins owner and real estate developer Stephen Ross for the construction of a luxury hotel and condos. Ross and Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber announced the purchase of the 3.8-acre property on Monday.