Economic Development

[spenser1058]

Let’s hear it for Orlando Health! They’re the latest to make the move to a $15 minimum wage. 

The first bump comes Jan 31 and will reach he new minimum in 2023:

https://www.orangeobserver.com/article/orlando-health-raising-starting-wage

From The West Orange Times Observer 

 

[AmIReal]

Another list.

Orlando ranks #4 in the nation in a CBRE's "U.S. Development Opportunity Index".

The list looks at "current real estate supply, past performance, cost of construction and forecast performance to determine which markets and property types are best positioned for success as the next wave of real estate is introduced to U.S. markets." 

https://www.cbre.com/united states/people-and-offices/corporate-offices/orlando/orlando-media-center/orlando-secures-no-4-overall-spot-on-cbres-inaugural-us-development-opportunity-index

and OBJ, https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2021/02/02/apartment-office-industrial-new-construction.html

 

[spenser1058]

Isn’t it amazing just how clueless the anti-$15 minimum wage crowd is of the facts?

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/25/opinion/john-thune-minimum-wage.html?referringSource=articleShare

From The New York Times 

 

Time to go Back To the Future, McFly?

[aent]

On 2/25/2021 at 8:13 PM, spenser1058 said:

Isn’t it amazing just how clueless the anti-$15 minimum wage crowd is of the facts?

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/25/opinion/john-thune-minimum-wage.html?referringSource=articleShare

From The New York Times 

 

Time to go Back To the Future, McFly?

I find it ironic how you post an opinion article and then say those opposed to it are clueless.

Actual economic facts dicate otherwise. Watch some of Milton Friedman's speeches on this topic that debunk this utter BS. Its well established that increasing minimum wage causes hour cuts, resulting in less actual gained money, and price increases, making the money worth less. Those who worked there way up to $15 or $20 an hour at some semi-skilled labor aren't getting the same $8 per hour increase, so now more people are working at minimum wage, and prices have gone way up, and companies are scrambling to cut hours. Sure sounds like a lose-lose situation.

And don't be racist. Minimum wage in America was founded on holding the black man down. The original minimum wage in the US, the Davis-Bacon Act of 1931 was at least partially created because the black men were willing to work for less then the white people were. By establishing a minimum wage, the white men were able to stop the black men from stealing their jobs. While some people debate whether that is the intent of minimum wage laws, its clear that is the actual effect of them.

[jack]

13 hours ago, aent said:

I find it ironic how you post an opinion article and then say those opposed to it are clueless.

Actual economic facts dicate otherwise. Watch some of Milton Friedman's speeches on this topic that debunk this utter BS. Its well established that increasing minimum wage causes hour cuts, resulting in less actual gained money, and price increases, making the money worth less. Those who worked there way up to $15 or $20 an hour at some semi-skilled labor aren't getting the same $8 per hour increase, so now more people are working at minimum wage, and prices have gone way up, and companies are scrambling to cut hours. Sure sounds like a lose-lose situation.

And don't be racist. Minimum wage in America was founded on holding the black man down. The original minimum wage in the US, the Davis-Bacon Act of 1931 was at least partially created because the black men were willing to work for less then the white people were. By establishing a minimum wage, the white men were able to stop the black men from stealing their jobs. While some people debate whether that is the intent of minimum wage laws, its clear that is the actual effect of them.

It was also anti asian as the west had a huge influx of immigrants from China. Some workers used the wages to set a floor so employers would not go out and hire minorities that were willing to work less than a typical white union worker. 

Regardless of its origins, we should focus on the best data we have to decide if this is a good thing. As of right now, the CBO has said it will reduce poverty but cost jobs. In other words, it's great if you keep your job and hours, it will suck if you don't 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiQy8OWpY_vAhXRSjABHQddBtgQFjACegQIARAD&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbo.gov%2Fpublication%2F56975&usg=AOvVaw1mRV-QCLysxx4jgv6Kd3xI

 

Edited March 1, 2021 by jack

[AmIReal]

There have been past rumors about JetBlue relocating their HQ here and they have never panned out. It may turn out the same this time, but the desire for companies to relocate seems to have grown stronger than in the past.

OBJ reports JetBlue is again considering Orlando and FLL as possible site for their future HQ when their Long Island lease runs out in 2023.

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2021/03/22/jetblue-orlando-office-airport-construction.html

 

[Alleri459]

On 3/22/2021 at 4:45 PM, AmIReal said:

There have been past rumors about JetBlue relocating their HQ here and they have never panned out. It may turn out the same this time, but the desire for companies to relocate seems to have grown stronger than in the past.

OBJ reports JetBlue is again considering Orlando and FLL as possible site for their future HQ when their Long Island lease runs out in 2023.

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2021/03/22/jetblue-orlando-office-airport-construction.html

 

They will probably do what they did last time: threaten to leave,  try to force a deal out of NYC, don't leave since they got what they wanted and then have a campaign about how they are the "NY" hometown airline and "I Heart NY" and so on. 

[spenser1058]

What might (or might not) have been if the Mouse picked another place besides Orlando?

Disney World at 50: What would Orlando be like if The Mouse went somewhere else?
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/disney-world-50th-anniversary/os-prem-et-disney-world-50th-anniversary-no-orlando-20210505-onbjdy7xtbedxanucjeygtu3g4-story.html

From The Sentinel 

[spenser1058]

Scott Maxwell blows up the myth of low taxes attracting businesses - it certainly hasn’t in Florida:

Apple chooses higher-taxed North Carolina, not Florida, for $1 billion East Coast expansion | Commentary
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/scott-maxwell-commentary/os-prem-op-apple-chooses-carolina-not-florida-expansion-scott-maxwell-20210512-txsog6alwrebbgogyggfor2wby-story.html

From The Sentinel 

 

Quality education attracts businesses, no matter what the idiots in Tallahassee try to tell you. And throwing money at private “academies” that aren’t required to meet at least the same standards as public schools ain’t the way to achieve quality education.

 

[orange87]

18 hours ago, spenser1058 said:

Scott Maxwell blows up the myth of low taxes attracting businesses - it certainly hasn’t in Florida:

Apple chooses higher-taxed North Carolina, not Florida, for $1 billion East Coast expansion | Commentary
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/scott-maxwell-commentary/os-prem-op-apple-chooses-carolina-not-florida-expansion-scott-maxwell-20210512-txsog6alwrebbgogyggfor2wby-story.html

From The Sentinel 

 

Quality education attracts businesses, no matter what the idiots in Tallahassee try to tell you. And throwing money at private “academies” that aren’t required to meet at least the same standards as public schools ain’t the way to achieve quality education.

 

One instance of one company choosing one low tax state over another low tax state isn't proof that businesses aren't attracted to low tax states.

[spenser1058]

Lots of interesting stuff in this piece by Bianchi of how Orlando could be THE town for college football, but I was intrigued by the fact that Orlando has passed by Miami in the size of the TV market. Another fascinating milestone (a little secret - the size of the TV market often drives things like new retailers coming to the area and which films play here, so it’s not just bragging rights):

Memo to Power 5 Commissioners: UCF and Orlando are exploding! | Commentary
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/mike-bianchi-commentary/os-sp-ucf-knights-nielsen-market-size-20210515-qr6lithucvdxzcbg4vz3b3jey4-story.html

From The Sentinel 

[nite owℓ]

Lester Holt to broadcast 'NBC Nightly News' from Orlando tonight as part of series on US pandemic recovery

https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2021/05/17/lester-holt-to-broadcast-nbc-nightly-news-from-orlando-tonight-as-part-of-series-on-us-pandemic-recovery

[spenser1058]

A hedge fund wants Duke Energy to split up geographically, including its Florida division. So far, officials of the utility are uninterested.

Of course, the best thing that could happen for Floridians would be to swap out Duke for municipally-owned authorities like OUC, who charge less, are more reliable and deliver “profits” to the cities that own them.

Florida Power (the forerunner to Duke in the state) was once a municipal utility but St. Pete made the unfortunate decision to sell it off during the Depression.

https://amp.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article251485288.html

From The Charlotte Observer 
 

[spenser1058]

Cedar Point, one of the oldest amusement/theme parks in the country in Sandusky, Ohio, is staffing up.

Like most parks outside Florida and California, it’s seasonal and hires mostly seasonal workers.

This year, the starting wage is $20/hour plus a $500 bonus. Did we mention Ohio’s a red state?

When you want good workers, it’s usually a good idea to pay them accordingly. Welcome to Economics 101.

https://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/202105/8229/

From Theme Park Insider 

Edited May 22, 2021 by spenser1058

[spenser1058]

Washington Prime, the owner locally of Waterford Lakes Town Center and West Lake Corners (Altamonte) as well as other notable malls in Florida like Westshore Plaza (Tampa), Melbourne Square Mall, Paddock Mall (Ocala) and Orange Park Mall (just south of Jax), has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/shopping/2021/06/14/washington-prime-bankruptcy-2021-covid-malls-shopping-centers/7681705002/

From USA Today 
 

 

Edited June 14, 2021 by spenser1058

[spenser1058]

Lake Buddy Mary has made 50th out of 50 for wages again this year. So what’s the plan? Why, our leaders are doubling down on the industry that put us there in the first place.

Great job, guys!

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/scott-maxwell-commentary/os-prem-op-orlando-last-in-wages-2021-scott-maxwell-20210625-qbw5zpzubjbwjbmed7kuo5yyl4-story.html

From The Sentinel 

[jack]

On 6/25/2021 at 3:17 PM, spenser1058 said:

Lake Buddy Mary has made 50th out of 50 for wages again this year. So what’s the plan? Why, our leaders are doubling down on the industry that put us there in the first place.

Great job, guys!

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/scott-maxwell-commentary/os-prem-op-orlando-last-in-wages-2021-scott-maxwell-20210625-qbw5zpzubjbwjbmed7kuo5yyl4-story.html

From The Sentinel 

This is metro Orlando. Of which Orland proper is 1/5th of the population. Why the hate on Buddy? 

[smileguy]

Last night, Gov. DeSantis signed an SRX exception for  a portion of Orlando. The Orlando Main Street Small Restaurant Incentive Areas bill that now allows smaller restaurants to be eligible for SRX/SFS licenses.  Restaurants  in The Milk District, Gateway Orlando, Mills 50, Ivanhoe Village, College Park and Audubon Park fall within the special area, giving them the possibility of obtaining an SRX license instead of the much more expensive 4COP quota license now required to operate a liquor bar.  Eligible size has been reduced from 2,500 SF to 1,800 SF and capacity down to 80  from 150.  At least 51% of revenues derive from food/nonalcoholic beverage sales

@spenser1058 will be surprised to know that this was a City initiative (carried by Rep. Plascencia and Rep. Eskamani) to help make restaurants in historic structures in our Main Street districts more competetive. 

https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=72878

[popsiclebrandon]

God bless the aide that had to turn that map into very precise location instructions over 78 pages.

[spenser1058]

42 minutes ago, smileguy said:

Last night, Gov. DeSantis signed an SRX exception for  a portion of Orlando. The Orlando Main Street Small Restaurant Incentive Areas bill that now allows smaller restaurants to be eligible for SRX/SFS licenses.  Restaurants  in The Milk District, Gateway Orlando, Mills 50, Ivanhoe Village, College Park and Audubon Park fall within the special area, giving them the possibility of obtaining an SRX license instead of the much more expensive 4COP quota license now required to operate a liquor bar.  Eligible size has been reduced from 2,500 SF to 1,800 SF and capacity down to 80  from 150.  At least 51% of revenues derive from food/nonalcoholic beverage sales

@spenser1058 will be surprised to know that this was a City initiative (carried by Rep. Plascencia and Rep. Eskamani) to help make restaurants in historic structures in our Main Street districts more competetive. 

https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=72878

Actually, I was aware of it - given most of the historic districts are in the city, it’s what we’d hope for. Others, including Scott J and the folks at Maxine’s also had a hand in it as well. It was a good idea and I congratulate all those involved.

[spenser1058]

On 6/28/2021 at 2:56 PM, jack said:

This is metro Orlando. Of which Orland proper is 1/5th of the population. Why the hate on Buddy? 

That’s my blanket name for the Orlando MSA when it’s stuck in the same old time warp and rut. I’ve noted before that OC Mayor Jerry Demings is in many ways as old school as Buddy (it’s worth comparing Val and Jerry’s willingness to change).

But, for all of you who are missing the area go down the same road as Daytona (we used to make fun of it when we had change actually happening in the ‘80’s, it’s not so funny anymore that we’re as bad as they are), just keep doing the same old things and getting the same results.

Funny, isn’t it, how much progress St Pete has made since they sent the Grumpy Old Men packing while we’re going the other way. Great job!

[spenser1058]

While the leaders in the Orlando area are aiding and abetting the development of yet another theme park that will attract thousands more low-paying jobs (even as rents in the area are skyrocketing), over in Brevard Space Florida is adding 400 acres for a Launch and Landing facility.

The difference? While Orlando’s theme park jobs are dragging the regional wage down to $48K/year, aerospace/aviation jobs average $95K/year.

What’s even worse is many in Orlando want to spend taxpayer dollars to further enlarge the white elephant OCCC, which attracts even more low-paying jobs.

The saddest part is that such an addition is so we can compete with Chicago, which is losing population and Las Vegas, which has no industry to speak of except hospitality, infamous for lower wages. Other cities long ago abandoned the race for bigger convention facilities because of their diminishing returns.

Interesting perspectives from our local leaders.

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2021/07/02/space-florida-kicks-off-development-to-bring-more.html?ana=maz

From OBJ

[AmIReal]

4 hours ago, spenser1058 said:

While the leaders in the Orlando area are aiding and abetting the development of yet another theme park that will attract thousands more low-paying jobs (even as rents in the area are skyrocketing), over in Brevard Space Florida is adding 400 acres for a Launch and Landing facility.

The difference? While Orlando’s theme park jobs are dragging the regional wage down to $48K/year, aerospace/aviation jobs average $95K/year.

What’s even worse is many in Orlando want to spend taxpayer dollars to further enlarge the white elephant OCCC, which attracts even more low-paying jobs.

The saddest part is that such an addition is so we can compete with Chicago, which is losing population and Las Vegas, which has no industry to speak of except hospitality, infamous for lower wages. Other cities long ago abandoned the race for bigger convention facilities because of their diminishing returns.

Interesting perspectives from our local leaders.

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2021/07/02/space-florida-kicks-off-development-to-bring-more.html?ana=maz

From OBJ

I may agree we spend way too much in building out infrastructure that continues to drive the wages down, but I disagree that cities have abandoned the race to build bigger facilities. In the past decade and looking forward five years, you've got Miami, LA,  Seattle, Pittsburgh, Denver, Houston, Ft Lauderdale, Savannah, Memphis, San Francisco, etc.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/02/business/dealbook/convention-centers-coronavirus.html

 

 

[spenser1058]

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/02/business/chris-kempczinski-mcdonalds-corner-office.amp.html
 

A worthwhile read as to why the CEO of McDonald’s is increasing the company-owned stores’ minimum wage toward $15 and why he believes his franchisees should, too.

From The New York Times 

[idroveazamboni]

 

https://www.mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2021/06/29/business-incentives