Hurricane Ian anniversary: FEMA breaks down $10.2 billion price tag for 'costliest storm'
Hurricanes have a price tag and according to the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Ian has been the costliest storm to ever hit Florida and third costliest in the United States. As the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Ian approaches this week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced federal support topped $10.2 billion for households, businesses, communities and flood insurance policy holders. More from the Naples Daily News.
From ideas to cash: South Florida’s innovation industry taking hold and expanding
University-affiliated innovation centers in South Florida are looking to help new companies gain traction by assisting owners to obtain vital information, advice and money to get their enterprises started. The overriding goal: Help convert ideas into revenue-generating technologies and products for consumers in the private and public sectors. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Escambia County's proposed budget is nearly $800 million. How commissioners plan to spend it
Escambia County is preparing to finalize and approve a nearly $800,000,000 budget for 2024/2025. The latest budget is up more than 11% from last year’s budget of $718,681,245, and it includes a 3% raise for employees who work for the Board of County Commissioners, plus an additional $50,000,000 in “unanticipated” revenues. More from the Pensacola News Journal.
Orlando reportedly a host city for FIFA Club World Cup
Orlando is reportedly one of the eight U.S. venues that will host the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025. The Guardian reported that Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando is among the venues that will host games during the tournament, which includes 32 professional teams from six separate soccer confederations. The tournament is scheduled to be played in June and July of 2025. More from the Guardian and the Orlando Business Journal.
Change is coming slow as Fort Myers Beach continues rebuild
Two years after Hurricane Ian came ashore and decimated Fort Myers Beach, the long-anticipated — and much-feared — transformation of the Lee County barrier island has yet to materialize. Yes, big deals have been announced and plans have been made to build on parcels once considered sacrosanct. But the action needed to transform the ideas into reality are being deliberately slow-walked by both city officials and developers. More from the Business Observer.
Entertainment
Pinball wizards gather to play timeless games at Oviedo’s Pinball Lounge
If there’s any doubt as to whether pinball is still alive and well, one needs to look no further than Oviedo’s Pinball Lounge to see there’s still plenty of enthusiasm left for this timeless game. Since opening in 2015, the Central Florida venue has welcomed thousands of players to enjoy games from the collection of owners Kurt van Zyl and Ed Klamp, who also oversee the connected Oviedo Bowling Center.
» More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Energy Trends
Processing power
With Goldman Sachs Research projecting data center power demand growth of 160% by 2030, it’s a reasonable question to wonder what the demand will be in Florida. FPL in June provided the outline of an answer. The state’s and nation’s largest utility in an investor presentation said that in the prior nine months, 45 prospects had expressed an interest in locating a data center in the FPL service territory, which covers much of East Florida, Northwest Florida and Southwest Florida.
» Read more from Florida Trend.