FloridaCommerce has activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, providing $15 million to aid businesses affected by Hurricane Helene. The program is open to small business owners in various counties across Florida, including sole proprietors. These areas encompass Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry and Hernando among others.
Florida Farm Bureau has established a relief fund to support farmers and ranchers in Florida impacted by Hurricane Helene. The initiative, named the Hurricane Helene Relief Fund for Agriculture, aims to aid farm families across the state who have suffered agricultural losses due to the hurricane.
Florida's agricultural industry will be prominently featured at the upcoming 2024 Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Georgia, scheduled from October 15 to 17. The Sunbelt Ag Expo is a significant agricultural tradeshow that attracts over 80,000 attendees annually and is recognized as "North America's Premier Farm Show." This event includes various agriculture exhibits, contests, educational opportunities, and entertainment.
The Florida Ports Council is closely monitoring the ongoing strike by the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) and its potential impact on Floridians. The strike, stemming from a lack of agreement between the ILA and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), affects several key ports in Florida.
On September 29, 2024, under the direction of Governor Ron DeSantis, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) filed Emergency Order 2024-08 to streamline Hurricane Helene recovery efforts and remove barriers for businesses affected by the storm.
The Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) has initiated a Hurricane Helene Relief Fund to support caregivers working in the association's member nursing centers and assisted living facilities. This fund aims to assist employees impacted by the hurricane and aid in their recovery efforts.
Today, FloridaCommerce and the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey in response to Hurricane Helene. Business owners can self-report physical and economic damage caused by Hurricane Helene. Survey responses will allow the state to expedite Hurricane Helene recovery efforts by gathering data and assessing the needs of impacted businesses.
Amazon has announced a pay increase for its front-line team members that brings the average total compensation for workers to $29, affecting the 52,000 jobs held by workers across the state of Florida. The wage increases totaled an additional $2.2 billion of investment nationwide.
Today, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 24-209, amending a previous order to expand the state of emergency in Florida to 61 counties ahead of Hurricane Helene.
As Tropical Storm Helene approaches Florida's coast, the Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) has reassured residents that its members are actively implementing emergency response plans to protect vulnerable populations.
Realtor® Deborah Duvall has carved a niche in the real estate industry by specializing in waterfront properties, luxury homes, second homes, and estate and trust work. "I love the variety and the challenges that come with each transaction," she says. "No two days are the same, and I thrive on the constant learning and problem-solving."
Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. Brad O’Connor stated, “In August, Florida’s single-family home market was fairly calm. Closed sales declined by 1.1% year-over-year, and as has been the case for most of the year, they have tracked pretty close to last year’s totals. Year to date through August, closed sales of single-family homes are down 1.7%.”
One might as well use cash to light fires as to ignore potential regulations, which can be extremely expensive, both directly and indirectly. Regulations yield duties that must be discharged. Failure to discharge them triggers investigations, fines, litigation, class actions, and other consequences.
Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) announced the 2025 Class of the Executive Nurse Leadership Academy. The program is designed to assist nurses working in Florida’s skilled nursing centers in advancing their careers and maintaining high-quality care for elderly and disabled residents. A select group of rising nurse leaders from across the state will participate in a three-day intensive training, informative webinars, resource tools, and networking opportunities.
Special thanks were extended to all Florida port directors and seaport professionals who recently participated in the annual board meeting in Pensacola. The Port of Pensacola hosted the event, showcasing both the city's beauty and the port's benefits.
Carnival Cruise Line is set to celebrate its 30th anniversary of year-round sailing from Port Tampa Bay. The cruise operator, the first to recognize Tampa's potential as a year-round cruise homeport, will host an event aboard Carnival Paradise on September 21 to express appreciation for its long-standing relationship with Port Tampa Bay. To mark the milestone, Carnival will also make a donation to Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful.
The MV Canopée, the world’s first hybrid propulsion commercial cargo vessel, recently made its inaugural U.S. visit to Port Canaveral. The specially designed Ro-Ro (roll-on/roll-off) delivered the European Service Module (ESM-3), which will fly on NASA's SLS Artemis-III mission to the moon for the first time since the Apollo era.
The Port of Palm Beach, located in Riviera Beach, Florida, is a full-service diversified landlord port. It serves as a significant engine for economic development and job creation in the South Florida region and the state, employing over 3,800 people.
Beginning this fall, students seeking an MBA at the University of South Florida (USF) will have a new blue economy offering to consider. The new options allow MBA students to build expertise in a specific domain, in addition to the fundamental leadership skills earning an MBA degree brings.