Florida tourism facing new tests
“It doesn’t matter where you are in the world, tourism works where there’s stability,” said Dr. Alan Fyall, an associate dean at the University of Central Florida’s Rosen School of Hospitality Management “Things have got to be safe and stable and the challenge for the U.S. at the moment is, it’s not stable,” he added. While showing a decline among Canadian visitors, Florida’s current tourism levels are mostly flat compared to last year’s record. But even that hold-the-line level is attained now because people traveling, particularly internationally, booked as far back as last fall, Fyall said. [Source: Tallahassee Democrat]
Will August bring the Atlantic's first hurricane of the season?
The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season has been low energy despite being ahead in named storms. That could change as weather patterns shift in August. More favorable conditions for storm development are on the horizon as Madden-Julian Oscillation pulse crosses the Pacific and moves into the Atlantic next month. On average, August typically sees four named storms and two hurricanes. [Source: Pensacola News Journal]
Floridians rush to install rooftop solar panels before tax credits expire
In the weeks since President Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law, the phones at Florida solar companies have been ringing off the hook. The law moved up the expiration date of the 30% tax credit for homeowners who install rooftop solar panels to Dec. 31. With the time it takes to get the required permitting and sign a contract with a solar company, that clock is ticking down quickly. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
State targets manatee protection case
Describing the case as having “exceptional importance,” the Florida Department of Environmental Protection this week argued a federal appeals court should overturn decisions that required the agency to take a series of steps to protect manatees in the northern Indian River Lagoon. The department filed a 56-page brief and an accompanying motion to “expedite” the case at the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. It is fighting a ruling by U.S. District Judge Carlos Mendoza that the department violated the federal Endangered Species Act. [Source: News Service of Florida]
$280M added to My Safe Florida Home program
The state added $280 million to the My Safe Florida Home program for the 2025-26 fiscal year, enough to serve 45,000 existing applicants. Homeowners can reapply beginning Aug. 4. The program offers free wind mitigation inspections and matching grants to help strengthen homes against storms. [Source: Gulfshore Business]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Tropicana Field repairs will cost more than estimated and could go higher
The cost of repairing Tropicana Field is coming in higher than expected. The St. Petersburg City Council has held several votes approving expenses in order to welcome back the Tampa Bay Rays in time for the 2026 season. But that work isn’t done yet. The City Council on Aug. 7 will consider spending $1.3 million to purchase and install field turf, plus $14.4 million for a litany of non-roof related expenses: wall and ceiling drywall repairs; countertops; flooring and base painting; replacing light fixtures, outlets and switches; and baseball netting and field padding.
› Spirit Airlines to furlough 270 pilots, demote more than 100 others
Spirit Airlines said this week that it will furlough 270 pilots this fall as the carrier prepares for a smaller off-season schedule to try to find its financial footing. The airline will also downgrade 140 pilots from captain to first officer, according to a note to aviators from the Air Line Pilots Association, their union. Those downgrades take effect on Oct. 1.
› 7-story workforce housing development may rise from this lot in downtown Tallahassee
A proposed workforce housing project is gaining traction with its plans to bring more than 300 apartments to a vacant lot in downtown Tallahassee. Early permit materials show Miami-based developer Global City Development's vision for a seven story, mixed-use project at 309 W. Tennessee Street, a 2.5 acre city block owned by Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, now used for overflowing parking by the church and employees at the neighboring City Centre building.
› Sysco facility opens in Plant City, to create 300 jobs
A major food distributor recently marked the grand opening of its newest distribution center, located in Plant City. Sysco Tampa Bay is expected to create 300 jobs in the region. Sysco provides food for restaurants, health care and educational facilities, lodging establishments and entertainment venues, among other clients that prepare food away from home.
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› Jet activity at Naples Airport mirrors property values
A study by the Naples Airport Authority shows an interesting link between Naples’ growing economy and jet operations at the city’s airport. Doug DiCarlo, aviation program manager with Environmental Science Associates, told Naples Airport Authority commissioners June 19 that though the two trends do not directly correlate, there’s a connection between the price of real estate and trends in jet activity.
› Sarasota County park project estimate grows from $40M to $60M
If building a boathouse and indoor sports events center at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota could be compared to a rowing event, park officials would be pulling oars early in the race. But the competition is beginning to heat up. Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy Board Member Louis Kosiba recently talked about some milestones with the project — shortly after giving Sarasota County commissioners, who have pledged $20 million toward the project, an update on the progress of the boathouse and events center.
› Boca Raton company valued at $2 billion to lay off 77 employees
A Boca Raton–based company that operates a marketplace for design and construction materials has announced layoffs at its headquarters location. Materia Group Corp., which does business as Material Bank, informed the state it will cut 77 jobs from its office in the Research Park at FAU. The letter detailed job cuts affecting both senior and mid-level staff, including several VPs, software engineers, product designers and account managers.
› NBC will air special about Epic Universe theme park
“Inside the Worlds of Epic Universe,” an hourlong TV special about the making of Epic Universe theme park, will air on NBC at 9 p.m. on Aug. 20. The show will be hosted by actor Joe Manganiello. Manganiello will explore the creation of the park’s five worlds, and the program will include an interview with filmmaker Steven Spielberg plus appearances by Bowen Yang (“Saturday Night Live,” “Wicked”) and his podcast co-host Matt Rogers; Mason Thames and Nico Parker from the recent live action “How to Train Your Dragon” film; and Warwick Davis from the “Harry Potter” movies.