Inflation led Floridians to more summer staycations

A new poll is showing fears about inflation have radically impacted Floridians’ summer travel. But it’s making for more staycations — and a boost to the state economy. The Florida Atlantic University Business and Economics Polling Initiative released survey results indicating 48% of Floridians rate the national economy as poor or very poor. That compares to only 26% who feel good or very good about it. Moreover, more than 96% remain to some degree concerned about inflation, with almost 61% saying they are “very concerned.” [Source: Florida Politics]

Business Beat - Week of September 16th

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Tropical Storm Fiona heads to the Caribbean. Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands under storm watch

Tropical Storm Fiona is now forecast to approach hurricane strength in the Caribbean early next week, after Hurricane Hunters found a stronger storm than expected. Tropical storm watches were issued for the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico Thursday afternoon, joining a suite of watches and warnings for the Leeward Islands, where Fiona is expected to dump heavy rains Friday and over the weekend. [Source: Miami Herald]

An electric vehicle in every Florida driveway? The bumpy road ahead.

The transition to electric is happening at a time of significant climate changes, high gas prices and amid worries about stable energy sources fueled by the war in Ukraine. But in the move from niche to mainstream, obstacles remain: Concerns about cost, choice and charging loom large. Sales still pale in comparison to gas-powered vehicles and scaling up involves installing pricey charging stations and ensuring the grid won’t collapse if everyone plugs in. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Florida Department of Transportation secures $15 million in federal funds for I-4 improvements

One of the busiest and most scorned corridors in the Southeast is getting a $15 million boost from the federal government. On Thursday, the Biden administration announced the Florida Department of Transportation had secured funding for the construction of a new truck parking facility on Interstate 4 between Tampa and Orlando. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› West Palm Beach quickly becoming 'Wall Street South' as northeast firms relocate to South Florida [WPTV]
West Palm Beach's new nickname of "Wall Street South" seems to only be gaining momentum as yet another office tower is being proposed downtown. West Palm Beach lately has become a developer's dream, but for some small businesses that have been here a long time, it could be a nightmare.

› CSX President and CEO James Foote retiring; Ford executive to replace him [Jacksonville Daily Record]
CSX Corp. announced Sept. 15 that James Foote will retire as president and CEO on Sept. 26 and be succeeded by former Ford Motor Co. executive Joseph Hinrichs. Jacksonville-based CSX said the change in leadership is part of a planned succession process. Analysts have speculated about his eventual successor, focusing on possible internal candidates. But Foote consistently deflected questions about it.

› Remember the Epicure market? A look at what lured shoppers to the Miami Beach landmark [Miami Herald]
What drew shoppers to the Epicure market? The store-made mushroom-and-barley soup sold in a plain jar with a gold label? The chocolate mousse cake gleaming from the bakery display? The prime cuts of beef or the prepared hot food like stuffed cabbage? The produce section where a bow-tied employee weighed your picks and sealed your plastic bag? It’s hard to describe Epicure. And even though the last of the locations closed in 2017, you can see its influence at Publix, Whole Foods and other markets.

› Hillsborough’s Pine Key Island seeks to stay afloat in zoning dispute [Tampa Bay Times]
It hasn’t been smooth sailing for the owners of a private island in Tampa Bay. The 9-acre island, operating as an offshore bar and special events venue, doesn’t fit neatly into any land-use category governed by Hillsborough County. So, last year, the owners of Pine Key Tampa Bay, formerly known as Beer Can Island, asked the county to consider their property for public/quasi-public use. It’s a broad category that encompasses recreation centers and tourist attractions, but also churches and hospitals.

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› This spot in Miami Beach serves the best nachos in Florida, food website says [Miami Herald]
You might think that the best nachos in the state of Florida — in any and every state, really — would be served at a Mexican restaurant. The chips would be buried under a pound of cooked meat and slathered in cheese. But you would be wrong. Health, wellness and food website Eat This, Not That has ranked the best nachos in each state, and in its estimation, the best nachos in Florida can be found at Sweet Liberty in Miami Beach.

› Spanish radio station’s on-air “flea market” a hit with Hispanics [Tampa Bay Times]
María Esther Flores was looking for an apartment to rent. But instead of looking online, she called “Flea Market en el aire,” a Spanish-language radio show. She sounded desperate and tired. “I need to move and I don’t have options,” she said. “The person that gave me a space to live needs the room.” The friendly voice of radio host Luis Maisonet reassured her. While a number of new streaming radio shows are using all kinds of platforms to catch their listeners’ attention, the “Flea Market” has stuck to its roots. It is committed to simplicity.

› Melbourne leaders dedicate $32 million police headquarters to force's lone fallen officer [Florida Today]
Two hours before sunrise on Oct. 17, 1986, Melbourne Police Officer Joseph Pellicano was directing traffic near a Sarno Road house fire when he was fatally struck by a Ford pickup. To this day, Pellicano remains the only member of the Melbourne Police Department to die in the line of duty. His legacy will be memorialized. Wednesday morning, city officials conducted a groundbreaking ceremony for the $32 million Joseph Pellicano Law Enforcement Center — the police department's future headquarters — at the northeast corner of NASA Boulevard and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard.

› Developers make big offers for Bradenton City Hall property, propose high-rise projects [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Downtown Bradenton could soon feature a new mixed-use high-rise with condos and rental housing, retail, dining, and hotel space on the Manatee River waterfront. Officials are considering the sale of Bradenton's downtown city hall property, and last week discussed proposals from five developers hoping to purchase the 3.9-acre site. The proposals show a glimpse of major high-rise projects that officials envision as a centerpiece for the future redevelopment of downtown.