Inbound moves to Florida vastly outpaced outbound in 2021

At this point, to some extent it barely qualifies as news that Florida is a top destination for out-of-state relocations. That's how common it is. For example: the Sunshine State added 211,196 new residents between July 2020 and July 2021, according to U.S. Census Bureau data, second only to Texas, which drew 310,288 migrants during that time period. However, according to a migration patterns study by Atlas Van Lines, in 2021, Florida’s inbound moves vastly outpaced its outbound relocations, by a margin of 59% to 41%. That qualifies Florida as an “inbound” state for the first time since 2016, rather than balanced — meaning moves in and out of the state are roughly equal. [Source: Business Observer]

Business Beat - Week of March 11th

Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.

Could gas hit $6 a gallon in Florida? Experts predict impact on groceries and goods

The repercussions of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24 continue to be felt nationally and in tourist-reliant Florida. Fuel prices had already been on the rise before the attack. But since Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ordered invasion on Ukraine, gas prices in South Florida have skyrocketed some 80 cents per gallon. [Source: Miami Herald]

Theme parks spring back into shape with new, revived attractions

Spring breakers returning to Florida for their annual theme park rites will see a few things that weren’t here last year. Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando have added to their daily lineups. There are brand-new attractions plus others back from pandemic-driven breaks. Now that there are reasons to hope (again) on the COVID front, locals and tourists may play catch-up in the parks by stepping up to new roller-coaster experiences or remembering the good ol’ days of pre-2020. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Disney now says it is opposed to Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' bill

The Walt Disney Company has now come out against Florida's Parental Rights In Education bill. The so-called 'Don't Say Gay' bill was passed by Florida's House and Senate and is headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis' desk. The bill would limit discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools. In recent days, Disney employees shared their outrage on social media when the company did not denounce the proposed legislation. [Source: NPR]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Want to invest in a Tampa Bay startup? Tips on riding Florida’s funding wave [Tampa Bay Times]
What started as a “feel-good thing” for Florida’s startup landscape  has turned into a serious opportunity for venture investors, with millions, if not billions, flowing into the state from afar. It’s been especially true during the pandemic, as investors from New York and Silicon Valley started paying closer attention to a state that looked open for business.

› American Airlines hiring 600 people in Miami area. Here’s what you need to know   [Miami Herald]
American Airlines is adding 600 people to their workforce at Miami International Airport, on top of the 1,500 the company has hired since 2021. The airport’s largest airline said that it already was training 200 new employees to be reservation representatives, and will add another 400 reservation representative positions. They will be work-from-home jobs for individuals who live within a 75-mile radius of the Miami airport.

› Girl Scouts of Citrus prepares to open Florida’s 1st dedicated women’s history, cultural center [Click Orlando]
March is dedicated to Women’s History Month, and the Girl Scouts of Citrus will honor women in a special way this year. Maryann Barry, the chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of Citrus Council, said the team looks forward to opening the Women’s History and Cultural Center at the Girl Scouts office in Orlando. She said this is a historic time to reach this project milestone, as 2022 marks 110 years of the Girl Scouts organization.

› Colliers to market two park sites in North Port for public-private development [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
In two decisions that impact the public's use of North Port park land, the City Commission agreed Tuesday to proceed with a consultant's pitch for vendors to develop portions of the 19-acre Dallas White Park and city-owned land on Italy Avenue. But the board put off decision on the additional phases for Warm Mineral Springs Park.

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› Tom Brady’s health and wellness company opens second location in state [Business Observer]
TB12, a health and wellness company co-founded by former Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and Alex Guerrero, has opened a second location in Florida and fourth overall. According to a news release, the firm’s body coaches will serve new and existing clients in West Palm Beach, thanks to a partnership with Hospital for Special Surgery Florida, a provider of orthopedic services.

› Calle Ocho returns with a smaller line-up, but ready to get Miami dancing in the street [Miami Herald]
The popular Calle Ocho street festival returns to Little Havana this Sunday. The festival, which is the largest event for the nonprofit Carnaval Miami, won’t be exactly the same as it has been in years past, says Alexander Perez, president of the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana, which runs Carnaval Miami. Consider this a stripped-down version of the event.

› Mainsail Art Festival returns to St. Petersburg in April [Tampa Bay Times]
Longtime Tampa Bay residents and newcomers alike have even more to look forward to this spring along downtown St. Petersburg’s sparkling waterfront. After a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic, Mainsail Art Festival will return to Vinoy Park on April 16-17. Now in its 47th year, the festival showcases fine art, entertainment and children’s activities, live music and food vendors.

› Carnival Cruise Line gathers 7 ships for 50th anniversary party at sea [Orlando Sentinel]
Carnival Cruise Line has been throwing itself a series of parties by getting its many ships together at sea. The biggest vessel mashup occurred Monday off the coast of Cozumel when seven from its fleet sailed alongside one another including its newest ship Mardi Gras. The cruise line began operations from PortMiami with one ship in 1972. It now has 24 ships in the fleet with another coming online this fall when Carnival Celebration makes its way to Florida.