Florida businesses more optimistic than national peers for 2025 growth
Florida business leaders rang in the new year with optimism about the local and regional economy, according to JPMorganChase’s 2025 Business Leaders Outlook survey. Seventy-five percent of Florida participants in the survey were optimistic, compared to 59% of respondents outside the Sunshine State. Recession fears have eased, with 69% of small and 71% of midsize businesses either uncertain about or not expecting one in 2025, according to the survey. However, inflation remained a top concern. [Source: Jacksonville Business Journal]
Florida has some of the hottest luxury ZIP codes for housing
While supply and affordability are still key issues in the general for-sale housing market, residential real estate’s luxury sector — less tied to interest rates and volume shortages — has surged ahead and appears poised for a strong 2025. Average sales prices are up 60% nationally since 2019 and 10% in the last year alone in luxury ZIP codes, which we defined as ZIP codes with an average sales price of at least $2 million. [Source: Tampa Bay Business Journal]
South Florida economy begins new year in decent shape - but with new and old uncertainties
This year will mark five years since COVID-19 gripped society and brought the global economy to a halt. Florida's fast reopening and quick recovery brought attention, capital and people to the state, especially South Florida. Five years on, regional job growth seems to be slowing, inflation has cooled, wage growth has stagnated and the housing market is divided. [Source: WLRN]
FloridaCommerce offers up $167M for extended small-business incentive program
Hundreds of millions of additional dollars are now available to help small businesses throughout Florida. FloridaCommerce officials announced this week they are enacting the “Florida Small Business Credit Initiative 2.0.” The initiative will make $167 million available for small businesses in Florida, a news release said. [Source: Florida Politics]
Florida will not participate in the 2025 federal summer food program
Florida had one more chance to opt into a federal summer food benefits program for 2025, after missing the first deadline last August. The program, known as Sun Bucks, is designed to work in tandem with other food-based benefits like SNAP and WIC. In states that participate, parents can receive pre-loaded cards with $120 per eligible child in grocery assistance over the summer when school-provided and reduced-cost meals are less available. [Source: WFSU]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Citizens starts year with 935K policies
Amid efforts to shift customers into the private market, the state’s Citizens Property Insurance Corp. started 2025 with more than 935,000 policies. Data posted on the Citizens website showed it had 935,576 policies as of Friday. That was down slightly from 936,203 policies a week earlier.
› $30.9 billion London investment firm opens Tampa office
Strategic Property Partners recently announced a new tenant at Thousand & One Water Street. Polar Capital, an investment firm founded in 2001, signed a four-year, four-month lease in the building, which opened in 2021, according to a statement. The goal for the firm’s new office is to focus on its U.S. growth strategy, specifically expanding its footprint in the region.
› Unions back Orlando rental-car agency fighting for workers’ comp benefits after shooting
As the Florida Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments, a major police union and other labor groups are backing the general manager of an Orlando rental-car agency in a dispute about workers’ compensation insurance benefits after he was shot. Attorneys for the Florida State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police and other unions filed briefs Monday urging the Supreme Court to overturn a decision that rejected benefits for Mohammed Bouayad. A divided panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal said Bouayad had not shown a “causal link” between the injuries he suffered and the work he performed for Value Car Rental.
› Naples Yacht Club makes history with its first female commodore
Naples Yacht Club makes history with its first female commodore Portrait of Laura LaydenLaura Layden Naples Daily News In December, Kathy Parks King, a retired educator, became commodore of the Naples Yacht Club. It marked a significant milestone for the exclusive, by-invitation-only club. She's the first female commodore in its 78-year history.
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› Miami company makes deal with Shell to double fleet of vehicles
Mobile gas delivery service EzFill Holdings is poised to enter five new markets after signing a letter of understanding to purchase 78 trucks from a subsidiary of Shell, one of the world's largest oil companies. EzFill (Nasdaq: EZFL) will begin delivering fuel in Phoenix, Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio, Texas when the transaction closes.
› Lakewood Ranch tops selling multi-generational master-planned communities in the nation
The Lakewood Ranch master-planned community was named as the top-selling multi-generational community in the United States for the seventh consecutive year. The community was the second highest selling community overall, according to rankings published by the Real Estate Economics & Market Research Management Consulting firm on Tuesday.
› St. Pete tops Florida cities for scam calls in 2024
Robocalls are more than just a nuisance; they’re an epidemic costing Americans billions each year. Florida finds itself at the forefront of this battle, with St. Petersburg ranking as one of the hardest-hit cities in the nation, according to a 2024 study by NumberBarn, a phone number management company.
› Are electric vehicles popular in Naples, Florida? FPL is adding new EV charging stations
Electric vehicles are soaring in popularity in Florida, especially in Southwest Florida. According to research done by IHS Markit, Collier and Lee counties saw a 30% increase in the number of electric vehicles registered this year compared to last. To meet the demand, Florida Power and Light is expanding its electric vehicle charging locations across the state.