10 Things to Know about CRAs

A three-letter acronym is stirring up a hornet’s nest, as the Brevard County Commission and county management start to put together a budget for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.The acronym CRA — which stands for community redevelopment agency — has been a topic of debate for some time. But, with two new members…

OBJ Introduces Crane Watch Orlando interactive map that tracks local development

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer once said that his favorite bird was the crane — meaning the mechanical ones that have dotted Central Florida’s landscape with new construction projects. And now, Orlando Business Journal is launching Crane Watch Orlando, a comprehensive, web-based interactive feature that offers detailed information and images on new commercial real estate development…

State bill to restrict CRAs

A bill in the Florida Senate could, if enacted, work to phase out Community Redevelopment Agencies by 2037. Senate Bill 1770 passed the Florida Senate Community Affairs Committee on Tuesday, 5-3, and now goes for further review. The committee amended the bill to allow local governments to either create or continue CRAs by supermajority vote.…

Commissioners Give Largo a Voice in Tallahassee

Nearly 200 city officials from all over Florida recently visited Tallahassee as part of the Florida League of Cities’ Legislative Action Days, where they spoke with state lawmakers about issues being addressed during the legislative session. Largo commissioners Jamie Robinson and Michael Smith were among those officials, and they shared the same concern as many…

Jasper – Swift Straw to open first Florida location in Hamilton County

The Hamilton County Development Authority announced that Swift Straw of Atlanta will open its first Florida location in Jasper. Swift Straw, an agriculture-based business, will occupy the former ESP window factory warehouse providing needed redevelopment to the location. The company, which launched in 2011, has already hired nine full-time positions, with nearly 15 positions in…