Florida leads nation in new business formations
Florida remains a hotspot nationwide when it comes to people launching new businesses, and not only because the population continues to surge. This from a new report from research and analytics site Switch on Business. It analyzed 2024 U.S. Census Bureau Formation data for all 3,156 counties and found Florida was No. 3 in business applications compared to local population, with 2,714 new businesses per 100,000 people in 2024. More from the Business Observer.
JAA reveals name of mystery company eyeing Jacksonville for passenger plane manufacturing
Otto Aviation, a Texas-based aviation startup that is developing what it describes as a “next-generation” business jet that can travel farther on less fuel than rival aircraft, is considering a manufacturing and production facility at Cecil Airport. The Fort Worth-based company, code-named Project Bluebird in incentive requests from the city of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Aviation Authority, would invest at least $430 million in two phases and move its headquarters to the city. More from the Jacksonville Daily Record and the Florida Times-Union.
Miami gas prices soar by double digits ahead of holiday
The gas yo-yo is back. After plunging by double digits last week, prices in South Florida are up by double digits this week, leading up to Memorial Day weekend. In the Miami area, the average gas price has increase more than 13 cents a gallon from a week ago. South Florida prices are nearly 5 cents higher than a month ago but 48 cents lower than a year ago. More from the Miami Herald.
Brevard faces $2.19 billion gap in funding for road projects over next 25 years
Brevard County ideally needs $2.65 billion worth of road projects from 2030 to 2050. But it has lined up only $462 million in federal and state money to do that work — a funding shortfall of 83% or about $2.19 billion. The Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization prioritizes projects based on data like accident rates and traffic congestion, but funding limitations hinder progress. More from Florida Today.
North Port commission revises impact fee break for targeted businesses, affordable housing
North Port city commissioners approved the first reading May 13 of changes to an ordinance designed to entice targeted businesses to foster economic growth and promote affordable housing construction. The first reading passed, 4-1 with Commissioner David Duval in dissent because he did not like a newly proposed impact fee discount stage of 75%, 50% and 25% being applied to affordable housing. He thought those percentages were too high. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
A legacy of education
To call Makayla Buchanan a success story from an early age is an understatement. But for Makayla, she credits much of her success to the Bright Futures Scholarship. The Green Cove Springs native participated in the dual enrollment program at her high school. By the time she graduated from high school with her diploma, she had also earned her associate’s degree. By the age of 19, she earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and by the age of 21, she had her master’s degree in public policy. [Sponsored report]
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Out of the Box
Treasure hunter seeks federal permit to continue to explore 1715 shipwrecks for treasure
There's gold in them thar waters. So a Sebastian treasure hunter is seeking a federal permit to keep searching for treasures among 10 Spanish ships that sank just offshore of the Treasure Coast during a 1715 hurricane. While the project may impact marine life, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers believes it's not likely to cause significant harm.
» More from Florida Today.
Business Profile
Zéya is reimagining bartering for the swipe generation
Mehdi Taifi knows what it looks like when a product catches on. As an early employee at Robinhood, he saw firsthand how the right idea at the right time can spread fast. Now based in Miami, he’s applying that instinct to Zéya, a swipe-to-swap marketplace that’s trying to bring bartering into the mainstream. The idea is simple: match with people based on what they want to trade. No cash, no clutter, just local, item-for-item swaps.
» Read more from the Refresh Miami.