Florida could get billions for infrastructure; here’s where it could go
Florida could get $16 billion-plus in projects from infrastructure legislation that moved significantly closer to becoming law Tuesday with U.S. Senate passage. Where the money will go isn’t yet known, though some likely priorities can be deduced through a combination of educated guesswork, the overall size and shape of the measure that won Senate approval on Tuesday, and earlier infrastructure legislation passed by the House. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
‘Burning through the population’: Delta fuels Florida’s worst COVID wave
In a matter of weeks, the highly contagious delta variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 has fueled the worst spike in new infections since the pandemic began in March 2020, according to an el Nuevo Herald analysis of state-level data. Florida’s COVID-related hospitalizations have broken daily records for 10 days in a row, according to data published daily by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The state has also shattered single-day records for new cases four times in past two weeks. [Source: Miami Herald]
Tropical Storm Fred could hug Florida coast this weekend
Long-range forecasts have it parked off Key West on Saturday with 45 mph sustained winds and gusts up to 60 mph, then growing in the Gulf of Mexico off the Florida Coast with 60 mph sustained winds and 70 mph gusts. A potential Monday landfall is predicted in the Florida panhandle near Apalachicola. Fred formed Tuesday evening and defied forecasts of passing through Puerto Rico Tuesday night, much to the relief of residents. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Amazon adding new fulfillment center, delivery stations to Florida, creating 2,000 jobs
Amazon has announced an expanded investment in Florida with six new buildings to support operations closer to customers. The new robotics fulfillment center and five new delivery stations are expected to create more than 2,000 full-time jobs in the Sunshine State. The company says it has created more than 52,000 full-time jobs throughout the state so far. [Source: WFTS]
Florida vs. Norwegian Cruise Line fight over ‘vaccine passport’ goes to appeals court
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration has gone to a federal appeals court in a battle with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings about so-called “vaccine passports.” Attorneys for the state filed a notice of appeal Tuesday after U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams on Sunday cleared the way for Norwegian to require passengers to show documentation of vaccination against COVID-19. [Source: Click Orlando]
Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention is looking for the next Gatorade
The Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention is named after Dr. James Robert Cade, a physician, scientist, musician, poet and collector of violins and Studebakers, best known as the lead inventor of Gatorade. His invention saved lives, spawned a new industry and opened doors for other early-stage inventors. The museum was created in 2017 to inspire and support future inventors and entrepreneurs. Its ultimate celebration of invention is the annual Cade Prize for Innovation. [Sponsored report]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Getting bigger: Bitcoin 2022 conference to be held at Miami Beach Convention Center
The Miami Beach Convention Center will host next year’s annual Bitcoin Conference in order to accommodate the thousands of guests expected to celebrate cryptocurrencies. This year’s conference, held at the Mana Wynwood convention space in April, drew at least 12,000. Organizers expect 2022 to see some 35,000 attendees. The Beach space’s main hall is about five times the size of Mana Wynwood’s.
› How Sarasota restaurants are navigating a labor shortage
For many workers, pay and benefits are not the sole issue—it’s a culture problem. More than a third of former hospitality workers surveyed by employment listing site Joblist said they are not even considering a hospitality job for their next role. Those who are making the switch said they were looking for different work settings, as well as higher pay and better benefits. More than half of former hospitality workers said that no pay increase or incentive would convince them to go back to their old job.
› New Jersey company buys five Jacksonville warehouses for $148 million
Deeds executed and recorded Aug. 10 show that Link Logistics Real Estate LLC of New York City sold five Jacksonville warehouse properties to New Jersey-based Hartz Mountain Industries Inc. for $148 million. Link sold four properties in Westside Industrial Park and one in EastPark that total more than 1.3 million square feet of space.
› FPL reaches agreement to get $1.53 billion rate hike in next 4 years
Florida Power & Light customers could see their utility bills rise by $1.53 billion over the next four years if state regulators approve a settlement agreement announced Tuesday between the utility giant and several consumer groups. The settlement agreement was reached between the Florida Office of Public Counsel, which represents consumers in rate cases, the Florida Retail Federation, the Florida Industrial Power Users Group and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.
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› Save Our Seabirds appoints new chief executive officer
Save Our Seabirds, one of the largest bird rescue centers in Florida, recently appointed Aaron Virgin as chief executive officer, replacing David Pilston, who announced his retirement earlier this year. With over 20 years of experience, Virgin brings an extensive background in wildlife and environmental issues to the nonprofit.
› As Tampa Bay rents surge and evictions loom, tenants turn to unions
The Tampa Tenants Union was inspired by the St. Petersburg Tenants Union, which launched last year and recently notched a high-profile victory by pressuring mayoral candidate and landlord Robert Blackmon to halt evictions against three tenants. Both projects, run by volunteers, are part of a wave of tenant organizing across the country.
› Former teacher taking over Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestras
Daniel Wiley knows that not all of the kids who play in the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestras will go on to become professional musicians, and he's OK with that. Wiley was hired this month as music director of the youth orchestras and assistant conductor with the Jacksonville Symphony. He takes over for Deanna Tham, who took a new position with the Omaha Symphony.
› Bidder offering up to $120 million for Surfside condo property. Government purchase ‘unlikely’
A private bidder has emerged to offer up to $120 million to buy the beachfront tract where the doomed Champlain Towers South building once stood — a development that comes as an effort for a publicly funded purchase for a future memorial site seems to have fizzled. The offer from a new, unnamed buyer was revealed Wednesday morning during the latest hearing on a slew of lawsuits over the June 24 collapse of the tower.