Attorney General Ashley Moody is collaborating with the Florida Tax Collectors Association to disseminate crucial information on voter fraud and crime prevention. This initiative will provide Floridians with direct access to resources from Attorney General Moody's office, focusing on fraud detection and crime prevention. Many tax collectors are now displaying materials such as the "Scams at a Glance" brochures, Florida’s voter fraud hotline, the state’s new human trafficking hotline, and an anonymous crime-reporting tip line known as **TIPS.
Last month, Governor Ron DeSantis proclaimed September 28 as National Hunting and Fishing Day in Florida. This proclamation acknowledges the contributions of hunters and anglers to conservation efforts through license purchases and excise taxes on equipment.
The Port of Palm Beach has initiated its Port Infrastructure Development Program, a project backed by a $13.2 million grant from the U.S. Maritime Administration. The program aims to improve the port's infrastructure and increase operational efficiency.
For 25 years, Royal Caribbean Group has used Port Everglades as a homeport for its cruise ships. The partnership is set to continue following the Broward County Board of Commissioners' approval of an extension to the company's Passenger Terminal and Berth User Agreement. This extension will last until September 30, 2030, with an option for an additional five-year term.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced a total of $8.8 million in funding for projects at JAXPORT and Port Tampa Bay aimed at enhancing the storage and transportation of aggregate materials. The funding includes $2.6 million for a project at JAXPORT to improve storage capacity and rail access, while Port Tampa Bay will receive $6.2 million to build the Berth 218 aggregate terminal, which is expected to handle an additional 500,000 tons of limerock each year.
Governor Ron DeSantis has announced a $9.5 million funding award to SeaPort Manatee to aid in its recovery from the damages inflicted by Hurricane Milton. SeaPort Manatee, a key deep-water seaport in Southwest Florida, plays an essential role in distributing goods such as fuel, fruits and vegetables, appliances, construction materials, and wood across Southwest Florida and the Southeast.
Florida legislators have allocated $23 million to JAXPORT for the purchase and refurbishment of container cranes. This funding will enable the acquisition of a new crane from Liebherr Crane Company in Germany and refurbish existing equipment at JAXPORT's terminals.
Brightline and Uber are further expanding their partnership, building on their 2023 collaboration that integrated Uber’s rideshare service directly into Brightline’s app.
FloridaCommerce has reported an increase in private sector employment in the Orlando area by 16,000 jobs, or 1.2%, over the year in September 2024. The construction sector added 5,400 jobs and education and health services gained 5,200 jobs.
FloridaCommerce has reported significant job growth in the Naples metro area for September 2024, particularly in the leisure and hospitality sector. The region experienced an 8.1% increase, adding 2,200 jobs over the year. In contrast, Fort Myers saw a private sector employment growth of 1.2%, translating to an addition of 3,000 jobs.
FloridaCommerce has reported a growth in the Pensacola metro area's private sector employment, with an increase of 3,000 jobs over the past year as of September 2024. The education and health services industry experienced the largest growth, adding 900 jobs.
FloridaCommerce has reported that the Fort Lauderdale metro area gained the third-highest number of private sector jobs among all metro areas over the year in September 2024. The region also led in job gains in trade, transportation, and utilities with 4,700 jobs; government with 4,600 jobs; and other services with 3,700 jobs. The area's private sector employment reached 820,500, marking an increase of 16,500 jobs or a growth rate of 2.1% from the previous year.
FloridaCommerce has reported significant job growth in the Miami metro area for September 2024, marking the region as a leader in private sector employment gains across all metro areas. The area saw an increase of 25,800 jobs, representing a 2.2% rise over the past year. The sectors contributing most to this growth include construction with 6,400 new jobs, leisure and hospitality with 6,300 jobs, and professional and business services with 5,300 jobs.
Today, Secretary of State Cord Byrd announced the designation of Eau Gallie Arts District in Melbourne, Brevard County, as the Florida Main Street Program of the Month for October 2024. This recognition highlights the district's efforts in historic preservation and creative innovation.
FloridaCommerce has released employment data for the Tampa metro area, highlighting significant job gains in September 2024. The region saw increases in education and health services (+9,000 jobs), manufacturing (+1,400 jobs), and financial activities (+1,200 jobs). Over the year, private sector employment rose by 23,300 jobs or 1.7%, making Tampa second among all metro areas for private sector job growth.
Governor Ron DeSantis has announced three appointments to the Early Learning Coalition of Marion County. Todd Panzer will serve as Chair, while Lola Gonzalez and Brittney Morley have also been appointed to the coalition.
The Florida Department of Education has announced the allocation of $62 million through the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program. This funding aims to create or expand workforce development programs throughout the state, providing students with practical educational experiences in fields such as aerospace, biomedical science, digital video technology, and aviation.
Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced appointments to the Rare Disease Advisory Council. Alexis Bakofsky, Colleen Bartlett, and Blake Shay have been appointed, while Jon Hawayek and Melissa Jordan have been reappointed.