March 31, 2023

Powering Florida's communities and economic vitality

Melissa Seixas of Duke Energy outlines the utility company's workforce education efforts and its commitments to sustainable energy.

Movers & Influencers

Personal promotions, transfers, board appointments, civic accomplishments and philanthropic activities for the week of March 22, 2023.

Florida Icon: Jenson Van Emburgh

"To the people who have a disability, I just want to say don’t feel bad about yourself. Find something you love to do, a sport you love, or find something you’re passionate about. Life is so much better when you’re doing something you love. I was lucky I found table tennis."

It takes a community

"You think about what that does for a family, a community, when all the barriers, for the most part, are eliminated," says Jarvis Wheeler, senior director of community partnership school strategies, Children's Home Society of Florida.

Wasting no time

Aneshai Smith's advice to entrepreneurs: "Start now, go fast and learn as you go. The successes you gain throughout will keep you encouraged. If you can, work in a co-working space because it will motivate you every day because you are seeing other people achieving their goals."

French flavor company Monin finds home in Clearwater

In our special Economic Backbone: Global Florida section this month, scores of international companies like Monin have created jobs in Florida, including one in five manufacturing jobs across the state.

The Florida 500 nomination deadline is March 15, 2023

This immense, year-long research initiative by the editors of Florida Trend has resulted in a personal, engaging look at Florida’s 500 most influential business leaders.

A Piece of Uruguay in Florida

A family looks to the Sunshine State as a springboard for its northern expansion plans.

How do you turn a red berry white?

A new strawberry developed at UF with a distinct pale color becomes a national sensation.

Cannabis connection

A University of Miami cardiologist is studying how cannabis use in HIV patients affects the heart.

Solar pilot

A solar microgrid project in one neighborhood provides relief when the power goes off.

Different strokes

Amid changing tastes, innovation is one way out of the rough for golf in Florida.

In the hot seat

Jane Gilbert's job is to mitigate Miami's heat.

Business Florida: Your 2023 Florida Opportunity Guide

Business Florida is for businesses looking to relocate to the Sunshine State. Learn about what makes Florida's eight geographic regions spectacular for commerce and industry. Produced in partnership with Enterprise Florida.

< >

Florida Business News

Jobless claims lowest since December

First-time unemployment claims in Florida last week came in at the lowest number since the start of the year. During the past four weeks, the state has averaged 5,065 new claims a week.

Business Beat - Week of March 31st

Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video news brief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.

Asian swamp eels spread in the Everglades. ‘Potentially the worst species we’ve had yet’

It’s called the Asian swamp eel. And while Floridians may be more used to seeing it grilled and doused in a sweet sticky sauce in sushi rolls, the slippery beasts have become an increasingly problematic invasive species in the delicate Everglades ecosystem.

Fiona, Ian retired from list of tropical cyclone names. What will replace them?

Since the current storm-naming system was adopted in 1953, 96 names have been retired from the Atlantic basin list.

Florida wraps up winter manatee feeding; Far fewer sea cows have died this winter

Through March 10, only 163 manatees have died statewide. That's about a third of the number found dead by that point last year and less than a fifth of 2021, when a record 1,101 manatees died.