How Florida banks, wealth management firms are using AI
As artificial intelligence continues to influence industries, financial services firms are increasingly investing in its potential to enhance the customer experience and improve internal efficiency and innovation. One of the most widely used applications so far is AI-powered chatbots, which help streamline behind-the-scenes processes that support employees. "The speed at which AI is evolving in this space, which requires teams to adapt, is very dynamic,” says Lisa Shim, senior VP and head of technology and innovation at Miami Lakes-based BankUnited. More from the South Florida Business Journal.
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National engineering firm opens Tampa office, expands Southeastern U.S. presence
Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, a national engineering firm, has opened a new office in Tampa, expanding its presence in the Southeastern United States. SGH Chief Technical Officer Niklas Vigener said the move marks a strategic step in building client relationships in the region. The Tampa office is now operational and recruiting additional technical professionals to support its growth. More from Tampa Bay Business & Wealth.
Central Florida company developing sustainable, U.S.-sourced batteries
A Central Florida startup, C-Batt, is working to revolutionize battery technology with a new material called "Obsidia" that could replace graphite — an essential component of most lithium-ion batteries. The company, based in Oviedo, says its material is not only sustainable and more energy-efficient but also domestically sourced, offering a strategic alternative to the Chinese-dominated graphite supply chain. More from WOFL.
St. Johns County ‘agrihood’ housing development wants second chance
A denied plan to build a 3,332 residential-unit “agrihood” in St. Johns County is back on the table. Boston-based developer Freehold Communities is behind the project. The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners unanimously rejected its rezoning request from Open Rural to Planned Urban Development on Nov. 5. More from the Jacksonville Daily Record.
Manufacturer seeks county incentives to build Miami-Dade facility, add jobs
An unnamed company could receive $1.55 million in cash incentives to build a 60,000-square-foot facility in Miami-Dade County and create dozens of jobs. The county's board of commissioners will consider awarding the funds to the business, identified as "Project Caiman," during its May 6 meeting. In exchange, the company, which manufactures for the aquaculture industry, said it will build a facility in unincorporated Miami-Dade. More from the South Florida Business Journal.
Business Beat - Week of May 2nd
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Sports Business
Florida shuffleboard company navigates game's growth, future and tariffs
Once seen as a leisurely pastime for retirees, shuffleboard is experiencing a vibrant revival in Florida, thanks to a new generation of players — and Tampa Bay area local couple helping reinvent the tools to play the game. The St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club, founded in 1924, has seen membership soar back into the thousands, fueled by a younger crowd and growing population rediscovering the sport.
» Read more from WTSP.