Financial sector fuels Florida job growth
Florida gained 7,300 jobs in July, the state announced. The increase from June’s job number was largely fueled by growth in the financial sector. Finance jobs accounted for 5,200 of the new jobs, followed by leisure and hospitality and government positions, the state’s Department of Commerce said. The unemployment rate remained at 3.7%, lower than the national average of 4.2%. [Source: The Center Square]
Florida Trend Exclusive
Rescue reform
When Brian Gorski became division chief of North Port Fire Rescue in 2021, with decades of experience under his belt, he faced a dire community concern: North Port, a city of about 88,900 residents in Sarasota County, had a higher pediatric injury and mortality rate than similar-sized jurisdictions. St. Petersburg’s Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital and the Safe Kids Coalition, a nonprofit with more than a dozen Florida chapters, “had offered help to previous leadership, but they never really took them up on it,” Gorski says. “Well, being involved with them in previous departments, I said, ‘Absolutely.’” [Source: Florida Trend]
Florida ‘Hometown Heroes’ qualify for up to $35k in down payment assistance
The Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program reopened Monday, giving first-time homebuyers who serve their communities a chance to receive down payment and closing cost assistance. The program’s funding has been reduced this year, with $50 million available in 2025 compared to nearly $100 million last year. Officials stress that once the money runs out, no additional funds will be added, making it important for eligible homebuyers to apply as early as possible. [Source: News 4 Jax]
Credit card fraud skyrocketed in 2024, Florida topped list of hardest-hit states
Identity theft reports involving a credit card grew by 7.8% last year, with residents of the Sunshine State by-far the most likely to file. That’s according to a new analysis from online lending marketplace LendingTree which found Florida nearly doubled the national average, clocking in with 264.5 reports for every 100,000 residents. Nationwide, there were 135.1 reports per the same population. [Source: Jacksonville Business Journal]
This ‘scenic’ Florida city ranks No. 1 among retirement ‘boomtowns’
A Florida city boasts lakefront scenery — and tops a list of retirement “boomtowns.” Leesburg ranks No. 1 on a list of U.S. cities that are quickly attracting older residents, according to results published July 30. The central Florida destination wasn’t the only place in the Sunshine State to rank among the top 10 “hotspots” for retirees to live. [Source: Miami Herald]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Orlando Unlocked: Dyer to outline housing plan in State of the City
Orlando currently faces a housing shortage and in another decade, the need for more apartments and houses will be critical as 90,000 new residents are expected to call the City Beautiful home by 2035. Mayor Buddy Dyer is expected to outline a package of incentives, fee waivers and flexible zoning rules on Tuesday at his annual State of the City speech. The “Orlando Unlocked” policy package aims to encourage the creation of new housing, from small garage apartments to large complexes with hundreds of units.
› Audubon sues over Kingston project near Corkscrew Swamp
The National Audubon Society is suing two federal agencies over their approval of the planned 10,000-home Kingston development in Lee County, a 6,700-acre project next to Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary attracts more than 80,000 visitors annually and covers more than 20 square miles.
› New data underscores Northwest Florida’s military‑to‑civilian talent pipeline
Northwest Florida is on track to retain nearly half of the roughly 5,200 service members who leave the military here each year, according to new data released this week, seeding the civilian workforce with about 2,250 veterans annually — many mid‑career, degree‑holding and already cleared for sensitive work.
› Glass manufacturer could bring 1,000 jobs to Nassau County
A glass manufacturer is considering Nassau County for a new plant that could bring 1,000 jobs to the area. Sherri Mitchell, executive director of the Nassau County Economic Development Board, said Aug. 14 that the manufacturer is working through a third-party site selection evaluator to keep its identity, base of operations and geographic reach confidential from both the county and the public.
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› A land trust’s troubles left a downtown Orlando eyesore where housing was envisioned. Now another nonprofit is stepping in.
A much-anticipated affordable housing project in downtown Orlando has been mostly stalled for six years after the community land trust leading the effort ran into financial trouble. Now nonprofit developer Lift Orlando may step in to complete the 30-townhome project in the West Lakes neighborhood that Hannibal Square Community Land Trust could not.
› Hoffmann adds to media holdings with purchase of Colorado newspaper
The Hoffmann Family of Cos. has reached an agreement to buy a Colorado newspaper company as it continues to expand its media empire. The latest purchase is the Telluride Daily Planet, its sister publication The Norwood Post and lifestyle titles Telluride Style and Shelter Magazine.
› Jacksonville office vacancy rates reports diverge as absorption trends upward
Leasing activity is on the rise and new projects are breaking ground, suggesting tenants are slowly stepping back into the market after several years of hesitation. Second-quarter reports from Colliers, JLL and CBRE show a gap in vacancy estimates — from as low as 10% to as high as 24%. The differences reflect varying takes on how quickly companies are deciding their space needs.
› Transak raises $16M to scale stablecoin payments, and Miami is central to the plan
These days, you can’t grab a coffee, scroll X, or attend a tech event without someone bringing up stablecoins. Now, Miami’s firmly part of that conversation too. Transak, a global web3 payments infrastructure provider whose tech powers over 450 platforms including MetaMask, Ledger, Phantom, Trust Wallet, and BitPay, has closed a $16 million strategic round led by Tether and IDG Capital.