GM battery joint venture agrees to hike Ohio workers' wages
Ultium said it will hike the wages of workers at its Ohio plant by an average of 25 percent after some U.S. senators blasted the joint venture for paying workers as little as $16 an hour.
Tesla leads, Jaguar Land Rover lags in digital-focused ranking of automakers
Electric-first automakers such as Tesla and Nio outshined established brands such as Jaguar Land Rover and Toyota in a new ranking that grades companies on the software skills.
2nd disaster preparedness tax holiday kicks in on Saturday
TALLAHASSEE — Retailers hope Floridians will stock up on storm supplies during an upcoming sales-tax holiday, particularly as the increasingly active hurricane season could bring a storm toward the state by the end of next week.
The state’s second “disaster preparedness” tax holiday of the year will start Saturday and continue through Sept. 8.
The tax holiday comes as the National Hurricane Center on Thursday was monitoring a weather disturbance expected to move into the northwestern Caribbean this weekend and the eastern Gulf of Mexico next week.
“Maybe in June, hurricanes weren’t so much on everybody’s mind. Clearly, the tropics have lit up over the past few weeks and people are concerned about hurricanes,” Florida Retail Federation President Scott Shalley said. “I think it (the tax holiday) is a great opportunity to get out, get prepared and save some money as we enter the heart of the hurricane season.”
This is the first year the state has held two disaster-preparedness tax holidays. The first period was from May 27 to June 9, around the June 1 start of the hurricane season. State economists have projected the two periods will save shoppers $143.8 million in sales taxes.
Tesla, Rivian endorse right-to-repair deal covering telematics data
In separate letters sent to the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, Automotive Service Association and Society of Collision Repair Specialists, the two EV makers pledged their support for the tenets outlined in a commitment unveiled in July.
People on the move
Architecture
Lori Godbold has joined Rhodes+Brito Architects, Orlando, as a project manager.
Suzanne Barnes has joined Spiezle Architectural Group, Orlando, as director of client services.
Boards of directors
Dr. Zach Terwilliger, Halifax Health, was appointed to the board of directors of The Florida College of Emergency Physicians for the 2023-2026 term.
Dr. Stephen Viel, Halifax Health, was appointed to the board of directors of The Florida College of Emergency Physicians for the 2023-2026 term.
Other
Jonathan Smith was appointed business development manager at Howard Fertilizer and Chemical Company Inc., Orlando.
Submit professional appointments, management-level promotions and significant awards for individuals, along with photos as .jpg attachments, to peopleonmove@orlandosentinel.com.