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Wednesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Economist predicts Florida will see a recession this year
Once the lunch plates were cleared at the Economic Club of Florida’s monthly meeting, economist Jerry Parrish finally made a prediction about whether Florida is on the brink of recession. Parrish said the probability is "pretty high... about 67%... coming in late this year." But, while the Great Recession of the late aughts hit Florida harder and longer than much of the country, Parrish added the Sunshine State has what it takes to be a bright spot in the expected economic downturn. More from Florida Politics.
Sky-high Orlando rent hikes top the U.S., with relief years away
“We have an affordability crisis right now,” said Lisa McNatt, director of market analytics for Orlando for CoStar Group, which tracks rental rates. “Orlando used to be a very affordable home market.” Rent in the second quarter grew by 18.7% year-over-year, the highest percentage growth in the nation. The average asking rent in Orlando is $1,819, more than $150 above where it was in January. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
New 988 suicide hotline may help save Black teens in Jacksonville
In the heart of a mental health crisis, every moment matters. That’s why Desiree Jones is confident the national three-digit mental health crisis hotline will save lives. Jones hopes that 988 becomes as ubiquitous as 911. The 988 hotline was activated Saturday. The original number, 800-273-TALK (8255), remains in use, too. On Friday, Jones was among those who met with scores of teenagers at the Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Florida Citi Teen Center. The Jacksonville native has devoted the past 17 years as a licensed mental health counselor and is the CEO of Step By Step Community Behavioral Health. More from the WUSF.
Margaritaville or California dreaming? Does Sunshine State top Golden State?
Let's start here, since it's such a big industry. In prep-pandemic 2019, the last year in which any kind of statistics really mattered, California drew 286 million U.S. and foreign travelers, who spent $144 billion, according to Visit California. In that same span, Florida hosted 131 million domestic and international visitors, who spent $99 billion, according to Visit Florida. More from the Palm Beach Post.
3 questions with … 13th Floor Investments' Arnaud Karsenti
The developer has more than 6,000 residential units in the pipeline, including a 25-story tower with 372 units in downtown West Palm Beach, the 367-unit Ashworth Apartments in Hallandale Beach, and the 854-unit final phase of Link at Douglas, which would include an office building. 13th Floor is also partnering with other developers to buy out the Castle Beach Club condominium in Miami Beach and the First Miami Presbyterian Church on Brickell Avenue. More from the South Florida Business Journal.
History
Carter G. Woodson Museum gets access to huge collection of Black history artifacts
A benefactor with a huge collection of Black history artifacts has promised to make more than 8,000 pieces available for viewing over the next several years at St. Petersburg’s Woodson African American Museum of Florida. Clinton Byrd, a financial investor who lives in Tallahassee, started a sideline as a historian in 2012 after he obtained a collection amassed by Nathaniel “The Magnificent” Montague, a Black radio pioneer. Montague, now 94, dreamed of opening an African American history museum of his own in Los Angeles.
» More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Florida Trend Exclusive
MacKenzie Scott's multi-million-dollar gifts benefit numerous Florida universities and non-profit organizations
“My 14-year-old and my 12-year-old girls were in the other room… and they looked at me and screamed up to their mom, ‘Mom, something’s wrong with dad,’” Artis Stevens, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America told NBC’s Today Show in an interview in May. The national, youth-mentoring charity, which is headquartered in Tampa, plans to invest the funds in staff, technology and training to create more access to one-on-one mentoring. The group also intends to expand mentoring to assist 18-to-25-year-olds who need help with career paths and skill development after graduating high school.
» Read more from Florida Trend.
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