Florida Trend Exclusive
DEI’s not dead in Florida, just quieter
The state of corporate diversity, equity and inclusion efforts is all over the map. Some people don’t believe in it. Others don’t want to talk about it. Still others don’t want to call it DEI. Many appear fine with diversity and inclusion but view the idea behind equity as a step too far. Many Best Companies, however, are soldiering on with diversity and inclusion training, though their practices are far from one-size-fits-all. [Source: Florida Trend]
Rate decreases announced by Florida’s top five auto insurers
Car insurance rates are falling in Florida, thanks to improved company profits and lower costs from reforms aimed at ending excessive litigation. Dating to late 2024, the state’s five largest auto insurance groups have all asked Florida’s insurance regulators to approve rate reductions for their various lines of business, a review of rate filings by the South Florida Sun Sentinel shows. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Applications for homeowner hurricane hardening program reopen
A program that gives Floridians money to protect their homes from hurricanes is now accepting new applicants. The program has been around since 2022, but now prioritizes senior citizens and low-income residents in their application process. The My Safe Florida Home program used to be first-come, first-served. Now, the application periods are staggered in 15-day increments. [Source: WTSP]
Florida 211 helpline needs help as mental health crisis calls spike
Especially this year – mental health counselors who work at crisis call centers across Florida have seen a sharp increase in pleas from the public for mental health assistance – and they're concerned. 211, a confidential helpline from the United Way that connects people to essential health and human services, operates 11 regional call centers across the state. The organization also answers calls to 988, the national suicide and crisis hotline. [Source: Gainesville Sun]
Why Florida is a top target for Cybercrime, according to a new FBI update
A new study reveals Florida has become one of the nation's most vulnerable states to cybercrime, with residents losing an average of $749 million annually from 2021 to 2023. This translates to an average per-person loss of $34. The study, which synthesized data from the FBI’s 2023 Internet Crime Report, found that 2023 was the state's worst year on record, with losses reaching $847.7 million. According to the report, Florida's high numbers are no surprise, given its large populations of tourists and retirees who are often targeted by online scams. [Source: Islander News]
The unstoppable Zohan
The pride and joy Zohan’s parents felt the day he was born was undeniable. But that happiness came with cause for concern when early in childhood, they noticed him walking on his toes while playing with friends. When Zohan’s primary doctor observed diff erences in the length and shape of his feet, his parents were referred to Dr. Shawn Standard and Dr. Jason Malone at Nemours Children’s Hospital. Today, Zohan more than keeps up with his classmates with renewed confidence and without pain. [Sponsored report]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Kissimmee’s last hurrah? Sprawling Hilliard Isle slated to begin in early 2026
An enormous master-planned community in Kissimmee is moving closer to construction after years of effort, driven by Puerto Rico’s largest mall developer in its entry to the Florida market. The company, Empresas Fonalledas, has spent $70 million through its affiliate, Plaza Lakes LLC, over the last two decades assembling the nearly 900 acres along Simpson Road for the community known as Hilliard Isle. Pulte has been involved as the homebuilding partner for the project since 2022 and has secured zoning entitlements for the mixed-use development with a marina on East Lake Toho.
› Naked Farmer to move its headquarters to Water Street Tampa
The founder of Naked Farmer said his farm-to-table restaurant chain is “better today because we opened our first location in St. Pete.” However, downtown Tampa provides a more centralized location for the homegrown brand’s corporate team. CEO Jordan Johnson signed a five-year lease to relocate Naked Farmer’s headquarters to Thousand & One, a 20-story office tower at Water Street Tampa. Real estate developer Strategic Property Partners announced the move late last month.
› Hard Rock on Jacksonville's Northbank would not include casino, city says
A Hard Rock Hotel floated as a possible development project for the vacant Berkman Plaza II site on Downtown’s Northbank Riverfront would not include a casino, according to the city. The city’s chief communications officer, Phil Perry, confirmed that the city is speaking with several groups looking at Downtown properties for development — with one considering developing a Hard Rock.
› MIAX-parent Miami International targets $1.7 billion valuation in rare exchange IPO
Miami International Holdings, the parent company of Miami-based options exchange MIAX Sapphire, aims to go public on the New York Stock Exchange with a target valuation of $1.67 billion. MIH announced it seeks to raise $315 million for its initial public offering of 15 million shares of its common stock priced between $19 to $21 per share.
More stories ...
› Rubix Foods names Ryan Smith as CEO
Jacksonville-based Rubix Foods announced Aug. 4 the appointment of Ryan Smith as CEO. Rubix Foods develops, tests and provides flavor and functional ingredients for restaurants and food manufacturers. Jacksonville-founded Rubix Foods, previously called Darifair, was acquired by the Arbor Investments private equity firm in 2019.
› MDC students team up with startups to solve real-world challenges through Miami Tech Works
Creativity, a collaborative spirit and real-world learnings by South Florida’s fresh tech talent combined for a day to remember for local startups and students at Miami Tech Works’ inaugural EPIC Challenge Student Showcase last week at Miami Dade College. EPIC stands for Employer-Provided Innovation Challenges, a program created by the U.S. Chamber Foundation to connect college and high school students with local employers to solve real-world business challenges.
› Cape Coral sees 28% drop in crime in first half of 2025
Cape Coral Police reported a 28% decline in overall crime for the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, with cases falling from 2,076 to 1,487. The city recorded zero homicides — down from three last year — along with a 20% drop in robberies and a 35% decline in narcotics offenses.
› Why some students are leaving Broward schools: Survey sheds light on declining enrollment
Broward may be an A-rated school district, but some parents don’t feel like their children are getting an A-rated education, a new survey suggests. About a quarter of parents who withdrew their children from Broward schools cited dissatisfaction with the quality of their child’s education as the top reason, and a similar percentage cited safety concerns, according to a district-commissioned report from Hanover Research, a Washington, D.C., firm.