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Space: A new mission boosts Florida’s economy
Artemis I will be the first integrated flight test of NASA’s deep space exploration system: the Orion spacecraft, the Space Launch System rocket and ground systems at the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral. The Orion spacecraft will launch on the world’s most powerful rocket and travel thousands of miles beyond the moon, farther than any human-built spacecraft has ever flown. At least 130 Florida companies and a number of university researchers across the state have a role in Artemis. [Source: Florida Trend]
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» Space: Private sector
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Business Beat – Week of August 26
Get to know the top news stories with Florida Trend’s headline-focused video news roundup, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Florida’s weekly jobless claims remain low
With Florida’s unemployment rate in July matching a pre-pandemic level of 2.7 percent, the number of first-time jobless claims in Florida last week remained low. The U.S. Labor Department estimated Thursday that 5,520 initial claims were filed in Florida during the week ended Aug. 20, down from a revised number of 6,074 claims during the week ended Aug. 13. Florida averaged 5,933 requests over the past four weeks. [Source: News Service of Florida]
NCCI Recommends 8.4% Cut in Florida Worker Compensation Rates for 2023
The National Council on Insurance Compensation is recommending an average 8.4% reduction in workers’ compensation rates for Florida’s voluntary market — the seventh straight reduction and double the size of the cut for this year. The recommendation, which will be reviewed by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, was based on the experience and favorable trends of Florida insurers in 2019 and 2020, through the end of 2021, NCCI said in a summary of its filing. [Source: Insurance Journal]
Florida launches SunPass Savings program for frequent travelers
Florida is launching a new toll discount program for people who use SunPass on state DOT tolls. The program, called SunPass Savings, is for people who use the Florida Turnpike System and toll facilities owned by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). In Southwest Florida, only Alligator Alley is included in the program. This program will begin on September 1, 2022 and run for six months, and is estimated to provide $38 million in assistance to SunPass travelers. More from WINK News and WJXT.
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Most cruise lines open to unvaccinated as Disney dips its toes
As more cruise lines begin to see an increase in demand, just who can sail amid the easing of COVID-19 restrictions is also opening up with Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian soon to no longer restrict cruises based on vaccination status. Vaccination requirements remain in effect for cruises traveling to Canada or Bermuda.
› Property insurer to exit Florida market
United Property & Casualty Insurance Co. will exit Florida’s troubled homeowners insurance market, forcing customers to find new coverage as their policies come up for renewal, the insurer’s parent company announced Thursday. United Insurance Holdings Corp. St. Petersburg-based said it has filed plans to withdraw from what are known as personal lines markets in Florida, Texas and Louisiana. She will also present a withdrawal plan in New York.
› Winter Park maintains short-term vacation rental rules
Winter Park commissioners decided against easing the city’s restrictions on vacation rentals, choosing to maintain its ban on stays shorter than a month. The city’s rules date back decades and were originally created to prevent homes and condos from being converted into time shares. But as platforms like Airbnb and VRBO gained popularity, cities and counties across the state have adopted their own rules.
› These pizza pop-ups stepped up Miami’s game during the pandemic. They are here to stay
On the other side of the pandemic, there’s pizza. Square pizza, sourdough pizza, natural yeast pizza, New York style pizza. The slew of shuttered restaurants brought Miami an abundance of pie. They came from chefs who were suddenly fired or empty restaurants rethinking fine dining. They found a city full of diners seeking comfort in red sauce.
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