Solar energy continues gaining ground in Florida
Over the last decade, the percentage of Florida’s energy derived from solar grew from 0.2% in 2015 to 8.8% in 2024. With many solar farms coming online from the major utility companies, megawatt hours from solar jumped by 31% in Florida last year alone. By comparison, total energy production in the state grew only 2.2%. This is similar to national figures, where solar production increased 27% compared to a 3% growth overall. [Source: Tampa Bay Business Journal]
Budget squabbles continue, but progress may be on the way as chambers talk business rent tax cut
Progress seems to be emerging on budget negotiations after weeks of uncertainty, though lawmakers won’t convene for budget conferences until at least next week. A deal on tax relief, while getting closer, also still remains unfinished. Republican Sen. Ed Hooper, the upper chamber’s budget chief, said Monday morning that the Senate had received an offer from the House on Friday, and that he expected to send another back to them sometime Monday. [Source: Florida Politics]
Group behind controversial Florida land swap withdraws plan, state says
Facing a growing roar of opposition from Floridians and prominent politicians, the private company trying to acquire a 600-acre piece of beloved northeast Florida conservation land has withdrawn its proposal, according to Florida’s environmental regulatory agency. “The applicant has informed the Florida Department of Environmental Protection of its decision to withdraw its land exchange request,” agency spokesperson Alexandra Kuchta said. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida’s drought improves with recent rains
Overall, the state went from having about 93% of its population under some drought to having a drought that affected about 87% of the state. Jacksonville Today thanks our sponsors. Become one. The most significant improvement came across the Panhandle, which went from a moderate drought to several areas that were not even dealing with a drought. Northeast Florida ranges from abnormally dry to a moderate drought. [Source: Jax Today]
Constitutional challenge to Florida’s unclaimed property law goes forward
With plaintiffs arguing the system leads to a “taking” of property, a federal appeals court has revived a constitutional challenge to part of a law that directs the state’s handling of unclaimed property. A three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday overturned a 2023 decision by U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle that dismissed the potential class-action lawsuit. It sent the case back to district court. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Expanding access to pediatric healthcare in South Florida
At Nicklaus Children’s Health System, we understand that children are the future of our communities. That is why our mission is to inspire hope and promote lifelong health by providing the best care to every child. It is a bold mission that is of utmost importance to everyone at Nicklaus Children’s. With the rapid population growth in South Florida, it is imperative that we steadily expand our services, ensuring that families don’t have to travel long distances for world-class care. [Sponsored report]
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ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Duke Energy says Clearwater would have to pay over $1B to drop the utility
Last summer, the city of Clearwater commissioned a study to evaluate the possibility of dropping Duke Energy as the electricity provider for all the city’s 120,000 residents and businesses. On Monday, weeks before Clearwater’s report was expected to be completed, the company unexpectedly announced it had finished a study of its own. Its conclusion: It would cost the city more than $1 billion to take over Duke’s equipment and form a municipal-run utility.
› Southwest Florida private sector employment drops in April
The Naples-Marco Island metro area had the fastest year-over-year manufacturing job growth among all state metros in April, according to data from the Florida Department of Commerce. The Naples area added 200 jobs each in manufacturing, construction, trade, transportation and utilities and education and health services.
› Orlando theme park giants join forces as Falcon's Beyond buys longtime collaborator OES
Falcon’s Beyond Global Inc. announced May 15 the acquisition of Oceaneering Entertainment Systems in a move which will streamline work the Orlando-based themed entertainment firms have collaborated on for more than 20 years. The deal combines the content development and design efforts of Falcon’s Beyond with the manufacturing capabilities of OES.
› Martin, Indian River counties are among wealthiest in Florida by income, home value
The Treasure Coast is one of the wealthiest regions in Florida, according to a SmartAsset annual study on Florida's wealthiest counties. The study used median income, investment income and median home values to rank Florida's 67 counties, according to financial technology company SmartAsset. This provided a holistic view of what areas of the U.S. are accumulating the most wealth, the study determined.
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› Joe's Stone Crab announces it's lowering prices to hold true to founding motto
Patrons of the iconic Miami Beach restaurant Joe's Stone Crab will be happy to hear its most recent announcement: prices are coming down. "Our summer season is starting and, while prices everywhere else are going up, Joe's is bringing our prices down," a statement from the company reads.
› Could Naples ever get commercial airline service?
American Airlines recently put out feelers on increasing its Southwest Florida presence by adding flights at the Naples Airport. The airline's passenger planes are too heavy for the general aviation airport, but it was an interesting topic for the Naples Airport Authority Board of Commissioners at a meeting May 15.
› Lakewood Ranch wealth management firm acquired by national agency
A Lakewood Ranch wealth management firm has been acquired by a growing financial advisory company headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. IFS Advisors, based on Professional Parkway in Lakewood Ranch Corporate Park, is now part of Cary Street Partners. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The Sarasota County office marks the 20th location for Cary Street Partners, which complements its only other Florida location, which is in Tampa.
› Taller and taller towers in pipeline waiting to join Fort Lauderdale’s skyline
Downtown Fort Lauderdale is growing up and up and up — literally. A construction boom that began a decade ago has dramatically changed the city’s skyline. You can see all the shiny new skyscrapers from the air. And you can see them from the ground. The fast-paced building might have hit a slowdown, but there are plenty more projects still in the pipeline.