Steamy ocean means ‘a very, very busy season’ for hurricanes, early forecasts say

For nearly three decades, researchers have been releasing early-season hurricane forecasts. Not once in an April outlook, the first one of the year, have they predicted more than nine hurricanes would occur in a single season. In 2024, they are expecting 11. Researchers at Colorado State University, which has a renowned tropical weather and forecast team, said a mix of ingredients will lead to an “extremely active” hurricane season. More from the Tampa Bay Times, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, and the Miami Herald.

Business Beat - Week of April 5th

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Florida to devote gambling money to environmental conservation

Florida will invest over half a billion dollars of its revenues from the 2021 gaming agreement with the Seminole Tribe of Florida into environmental conservation, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday at a bill signing event. The new law will provide at least $450 million a year for buying and maintaining land in a state wildlife corridor, removing invasive species and converting properties from using septic tanks to sewer systems, among other things. [Source: TC Palm]

Donations spike after Florida Supreme Court allows recreational marijuana on the 2024 ballot

The state Supreme Court’s ruling this week that will give voters a chance to decide whether to allow recreational marijuana sparked a flurry of contributions to the Smart & Safe Florida political committee that’s backing the proposal. The court’s 5-2 opinion gave the go-ahead for the measure to appear as Amendment 3 on the November ballot, and more medical-marijuana operators are jumping on board the recreational weed train. [Source: News Service of Florida]

State data shows electricity rates remain constant for most Floridians

Florida’s electricity rates are set to decrease slightly over the coming months for some customers, while others will likely remain the same. According to data from the Florida Public Service Commission, electricity rates remain steady for three of the four investor-owned electric companies in the Sunshine State. These include Duke Energy, Florida Power & Light, Tampa Electric Company, and the Florida Public Utilities Company. [Source: The Center Square]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› FWC's new 'special' alligator permit adds 8 weeks to hunt, allows hunting in more zones [Lakeland Ledger]
At its February Commission meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission adopted a new wrinkle to the Florida alligator hunting scene — a special-opportunity permit valid to take two gators from any Alligator Management Unit in the state. Prior to this hearing, FWC staff was directed to investigate new ways to expand the gator-hunting experience.

› Spirit Airlines to receive compensation for engine problems that could lift finances by $150M to $200M [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Miramar-based Spirit Airlines, which has been forced to pull planes from service due to potential aircraft engine problems, has informed the investment community it has reached a compensation deal with the manufacturer that could improve the company’s 2024 cash position by $150 million to $200 million.

› Tampa's economic development chief to step down [Tampa Bay Business Journal]
Nicole Travis, Tampa’s economic development chief, has resigned from her role to start a consulting firm. Travis, who joined Mayor Jane Castor’s administration as administrator of development and economic opportunity in 2022, will remain with the city until July 1, the city said Thursday. She was previously director of community and economic development in Lakeland, and in 2019 was a Tampa Bay Business Journal BusinessWoman of the Year honoree.

› Downtown Orlando slated for more than $1.45 billion in development [Orlando Business Journal]
Downtown Orlando has over $1 billion in development in the pipeline. The Downtown Orlando Community Redevelopment Agency/Downtown Development said that as of March, there are 20 proposed projects worth over $1.45 billion in the pipeline. Nine other projects worth a total of $1.2 billion were under construction as of the end of 2023.

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› New USF degree aims to address shortage of school psychologists [Tampa Bay Times]
The University of South Florida plans to launch a three-year degree program in the fall to help address a national shortage of school psychologists. The program will be based in USF’s College of Education, which for decades has trained school psychologists in its Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Learning.

› A drone advertising company wants to create aviation jobs in Miami [Miami Inno]
Sustainable Skylines wants to create more aviation jobs for aerial drone advertising. To do that, the company partnered with aviation resources firm USI to create a certification program that trains aviators in remote piloting technologies. Headquartered in Miami, Sustainable Skylines uses drones to tow banners for aerial advertising campaigns often seen on local beaches. The drones, powered by hybrid-electric engines, can be used to replace small aircraft that traditionally tow those banners.

› Sarasota city attorney to prepare a potential ordinance to track political lobbying [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Nearly six months after Commissioner Erik Arroyo first raised the proposal, Sarasota leaders will explore an ordinance to regulate political lobbying in city hall after several ethics issues have come up. City Attorney Robert Fournier was directed by a 3-2 vote Monday to present a model ordinance to the board.

› Forbes ranks Jaguars owner Khan as 162nd richest person in the world [Florida Times-Union]
Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan’s net worth stayed the same since last October, according to Forbes. He’ll get by. The financial magazine’s annual survey of the world’s billionaires lists Khan as the 162nd richest person in the world with a net worth of $12.2 billion.