Tire-changing robot startup files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation
RoboTire, launched in suburban Detroit in 2018, designed technology to automate tire-changing using a robotic arm.
Tourist-tax plan makes smaller-than-expected trim of Visit Orlando budget
Orange County leaders signed off Tuesday on a much-debated spending plan for the county’s lucrative tourist tax, pledging over $600 million to upgrade Camping World Stadium and the Kia Center while handing a reprieve to the Visit Orlando marketing agency, which had been threatened with deep cuts.
“I believe we have ended up in a good place,” said County Mayor Jerry Demings, whose spending preferences were detailed in an eleventh-hour memo to Orange County commissioners and adopted mostly intact by the 6-1 vote.
Commissioner Emily Bonilla cast the lone no.
She had favored chopping Visit Orlando’s 30% share of Tourist Development Tax revenue by five percentage points. That approach would have foisted cuts on the not-for-profit marketing organization that would grow even deeper if tourist numbers jump as expected in the coming years when Universal Orlando opens its newest and largest theme park, Epic Universe.
Bonilla’s favored approach appeared for weeks to have the consensus support of her fellow commissioners, but Demings had a different idea.
Kia recalls 101,409 vehicles over roof molding
The recall includes certain 2023-24 Sportage and 2022-24 Carnival vehicles.
Florida seen as likely to buy Yarborough ranch land in Seminole County
The state appears headed toward a purchase of the 1,314-acre Yarborough ranch near the Econlockhatchee River in east Seminole, county leaders said Tuesday, part of a move to protect it permanently from development under the Florida Forever conservation program.
“All indications are that we will be approved,” County Manager Darren Gray said in updating commissioners regarding the county’s application for the estimated $35 million purchase price. The ranch is considered a key missing piece of a wildlife corridor running the length of the state.
With that news in hand, commissioners dropped a proposal to give the Yarborough family $3.4 million to stave off a sale to developers of the property east of Snow Hill Road and south of Old Mims Road. The money would have been a sort-of down payment for Seminole County to purchase the land itself if the state opted out.
Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet are expected in March to consider Florida Forever’s recommended list of land purchases for conservation, which includes the Yarborough Ranch property.
Courting labor votes, Biden will address UAW at conference
President Joe Biden is scheduled to address members of the United Auto Workers Wednesday at the group’s annual conference in Washington.