Florida small business owners are grateful for tax breaks, but say it's not enough
Some small businesses in Florida are happy to see the enactment of permanent tax breaks but others are saying these tax breaks aren’t enough to make up for rising prices and the effects of tariffs. Bill Herrle, the National Federation of Independent Business’ Florida executive director, said the change should provide some consistency for small business owners. More from WUSF.
Florida gas prices fall ahead of Labor Day weekend
Ahead of your potential travel plans for Labor Day weekend, Florida gas prices have gone down 20 cents in the past 10 days, according to AAA. As of Monday morning, Florida's average price per gallon is $2.92. This is in comparison to when the state's average was $3.30 during Labor Day 2024. AAA officials say the state average hasn't returned to that height ever since. More from WTSP.
$585M deal for Fort Myers bank wins regulatory approvals
Kansas City-based Commerce Bank says it has received all the regulatory approvals for its $585 million acquisition of Fort Myers-based FineMark National Bank & Trust. The bank, a subsidiary of Commerce Bancshares, says the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and the Missouri Division of Finance have approved the transaction. The deal, which still requires the approval of FineMark shareholders, is expected to close Jan. 1, 2026. More from the Business Observer.
Indie film studio eyes St. Augustine for production
An independent film studio is eyeing St. Augustine for a film shoot in the coming years, and the production team hopes the county might pitch in to help pay for it. Cardinal Flix Producer Brian Long says the studio plans to begin shooting The Batting Cage in St. Augustine as soon as next year. More from Jax Today.
Aerospace giant L3Harris invests in Florida satellite facility
L3Harris Technologies has completed a $100 million expansion of its satellite integration and test facility in Palm Bay. The 94,000-square-foot expansion, finished Aug. 21, will support the development of missile-detection satellites tied to the U.S. Department of Defense’s proposed Golden Dome for America initiative — a multilayered missile defense system targeted for completion by 2028. More from Spectrum News and Orlando Inno.
Business Profile
From stealth to $6.7M seed, Kira sets sights on Latin America’s fintech future
For more than a year, Kira operated in stealth, testing and refining a product that its founders believe can serve as the backbone for the next generation of financial services. Now, the Miami-based startup is announcing that it has raised $6.7 million in seed funding to take its vision public, led by Blockchange Ventures, Vamos Ventures, Stellar Blockchain, Grit Ventures, Credibly Neutral Ventures, Michael Seibel, and Oso Trava.
» More from Refresh Miami.
Florida Trend Exclusive
Q&A with Peter Cranis, Executive Director, Space Coast Office of Tourism
Florida Trend: How does your office promote the Space Coast as a destination?
Cranis: We use a full combination of integrated media from billboards to digital to streaming TV to social media. The affordability messaging will mostly be in the digital and social media advertising, as well as through public relations efforts. We hope to be listed in stories that cover the Top 10 most affordable beach destinations.
» Read more from Florida Trend.