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More than $100 million in state grant funding has been left unclaimed by My Safe Florida Home program applicants, and grant hopefuls are urged to immediately take steps to claim $10,000 for home-hardening projects.

The money is being reallocated from homeowners who completed their inspections and paperwork but did not follow through by completing their projects and requesting their grant, according to a memo released Wednesday by Senate President Ben Albritton.

The memo said that Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis notified the Senate that the program can reopen grant applications to distribute $103 million. That would cover about 10,300 new grants.

Albritton’s memo stated that the application portal will reopen through April 30 for homeowners who have already had an inspection.

On Thursday, Patronis’ office sent out a news release urging homeowners who have completed their home inspections to reenter the accounts they created on the program’s website, MySafeFlHome.com, and submit their ages and incomes on a prioritization survey. That information is needed to ensure that senior citizens and low-income homeowners are prioritized for grants, the release said. read more

Financial

Steven Porter has joined the Winter Park branch of Raymond James as senior vice president of investment.

Insurance

Chris DiMartino was hired as chief underwriting officer at Orion180, Melbourne.

Ryan Jesenik was promoted to president, insurance, at Orion180, Melbourne.

Law

Attorney Eric F. Werrenrath has been named a shareholder of the law firm of Winderweedle, Haines, Ward & Woodman P.A., Winter Park.

Other

Chadwick Leonard has joined 1000 Friends of Florida as conservation and planning advocacy coordinator.

Jaison Busby was appointed vice president of digital and technology at the Orlando Utilities Commission.

Submit professional appointments, management-level promotions and significant awards for individuals, along with photos as .jpg attachments, to peopleonmove@orlandosentinel.com.

By ALEX VEIGA, AP Business Writer

The average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. fell slightly this week, a welcome reversal for homebuyers in what is traditionally the busiest time of the year for the housing market.

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The rate fell to 6.65% from 6.67% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago, the rate averaged 6.79%.

This is the first decline in the average rate after rising two weeks in a row. The average rate has been mostly trending lower since mid-January, when it climbed to just over 7% — a welcome trend for aspiring homebuyers struggling to afford a home after years of soaring home prices. read more

By JOSH BOAK, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said he was placing 25% tariffs on auto imports, a move the White House claims would foster domestic manufacturing but could also put a financial squeeze on automakers that depend on global supply chains.

“This will continue to spur growth,” Trump told reporters Wednesday. “We’ll effectively be charging a 25% tariff.”

The tariffs, which the White House expects to raise $100 billion in revenue annually, could be complicated as even U.S. automakers source their components from around the world. The tax hike starting in April means automakers could face higher costs and lower sales, though Trump argues that the tariffs will lead to more factories opening in the United States and the end of what he judges to be a “ridiculous” supply chain in which auto parts and finished vehicles are manufactured across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

To underscore his seriousness about the tariffs directive he signed, Trump said, “This is permanent.” read more

SeaWorld Orlando has announced that it has now logged 1,000 manatee rescues.

“Manatees are an iconic part of Florida’s ecosystem, and we are honored to play a key role in their conservation,” Jon Peterson, park president, said in a news release. “By rescuing, rehabilitating and hopefully returning these animals, we not only save individual lives but also inspire our guests to join us in protecting these amazing creatures.”

In 2024, SeaWorld rescued 61 manatees and was able to rehabilitate and return 38 manatees.

Since 1976, SeaWorld Orlando’s rescue team has operated one of three critical-care facilities in the U.S., responding to manatees in need because of boat strikes, entanglements, cold stress and other life-threatening conditions. The park maintains a five-acre rescue center for wildlife, including sea turtles, birds and other marine animals. Park guests can also see manatees at the Manatee and Turtle  Rescue center on the north side of SeaWorld, between the Dolphin Encounter and Coral Rescue facilities. read more