Florida sets new tourism record
New data confirms that Florida set a new all-time annual record in 2024 with 143 million visitors — an increase of 1.7% over the previous record set in 2023, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says. The governor says the historic growth includes 130.65 million domestic travelers, 8.94 million overseas visitors and 3.41 million Canadian tourists. And, in 2024, the state also collected billions in sales tax revenue from these tourists. More from WOFL and WGCU.
Florida Trend Exclusive
Feeling the pulse
Nearly nine years after a mass shooting at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando claimed the lives of 49 people, plans for a memorial at the site are finally beginning to take shape. The city’s elected leaders have approved a conceptual design for a $12-million memorial drawn up by an 18-member citizens advisory board, many of whom lost relatives in the June 2016 tragedy. [Source: Florida Trend]
FloridaCommerce: Small Business Development Center network had fruitful 2024
FloridaCommerce says the state’s support network for small-business owners and entrepreneurs had a prolific year in 2024. The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network had “another banner year of empowering entrepreneurs and driving statewide economic growth,” a FloridaCommerce news release said. According to the review, SBDC advisors provided 107,000 hours in consulting to small-business professionals last year. That amounts to servicing about 15,000 small-business clients across the state. [Source: Florida Politics]
26 Florida cities made list of most affordable for homebuyers
Buying a home remains a dream for many Americans, but home prices and rising interest rates are making realizing that dream difficult. WalletHub, a personal finance company that often analyzes data, released a study May 20, identifying the most affordable cities for homebuyers. Factors considered included not only home prices but overall cost of living, maintenance costs and taxes. While several Florida cities were included in the 300 cities listed, the most affordable city — located in Brevard County — didn't appear until No. 17. [Source: Florida Today]
On the Gulf Coast, homes are being elevated. When will the rest of Florida follow?
Florida already has more properties at risk of flooding than in any other state, and rising sea levels, increasingly more intense hurricanes and storm surges are making matters worse. Experts across real estate, construction, disaster preparedness, resilience and public and elected officials agree that Florida’s future is in the air. This year, the state launched Elevate Florida, offering roughly $400 million in federal funding for residential mitigation, including raising an existing structure. [Source: Miami Herald]
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ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› This tiny pop-up restaurant from 2 Miami chefs won a Michelin star. Now it’s closing
The farm-to-table pop-up that defied the odds to win a Michelin star is closing in Miami Shores. EntreNos, the brainchild of chefs Evan Burgess and Osmel Gonzalez, has announced its time sharing space with Tinta y Cafe, which was open during the day with EntreNos taking over at night, has come to an end. The restaurant, which opened in 2023 with an eye toward sustainability and sourcing as much as possible from Florida farms, ranches and fishermen, announced the news on Instagram.
› Florida Economic Development Council honors 2 major new business developments on First Coast
The Florida Economic Development Council (FEDC) is recognizing two major business ventures on the First Coast worth a combined $245 million in investments as its “Deals of the Year.” An autonomous vehicle factory in Jacksonville and a Publix pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in St. Johns County earned the recognition.
› San Felasco Tech City welcomes Siemens’ new area office
Recognized globally for its commitment to innovation and energy efficiency development, San Felasco Tech City is home to more than 65 forward-thinking companies. The campus’ alignment with Siemens’ values in digital innovation makes it a natural choice for the company’s expansion in the region.
› Fort Myers annual financial report shows revenue growth
In its annual financial report presented to Fort Myers City Council on May 19, auditors found the city has combined total assets of $1.26 billion and liabilities of $752.53 million for fiscal year 2024. That left the city with a net of $498.71 million, an increase of $80.27 million or 19.18% from the prior year. After capital investments, such as land or buildings, the city has a balance of $57.45 million that is usually used to meet ongoing obligations to citizens and creditors.
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› Brightline quickly cuts some prices of new frequent-rider passes
Less than two weeks after Brightline unveiled a new pass program for riders, the Miami-based rail line has cut the prices of some categories after the company received “guest feedback.” Brightline announced the price cuts late last Friday after rolling out the program just 10 days earlier to replace the one it retired in 2024.
› Boca Raton startup raises $25 million from New York venture capital firm
Dazos, a customer relationship management platform for behavioral health providers, secured $25 million in a series A funding from New York-based venture capital firm Radian Capital. Headquartered in Boca Raton, Dazos' software aims to reduce administrative tasks for health care professionals such as psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors and social workers.
› Jacksonville zoo is now a botanical garden too
The local home for lions, tigers, bears and other wildlife has a new name: the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens. The zoo said it changed its name from the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens to better reflect the zoo’s dual dedication to plants and animals. Jacksonville Today thanks our sponsors. Become one. The updated name emphasizes the zoo’s expansive botanical gardens, with more than 1,000 plant species integrated among the animal exhibits.
› National car dealership company acquires Fort Myers-based Scanlon Automotive Group
Houston-based Group 1 Automotive Inc. has expanded its presence in Southwest Florida with the acquisition of the Scanlon Lexus and Acura dealerships in south Fort Myers, company officials said. The move brings the company’s total footprint in the area to three dealerships, following the acquisition of Estero Bay Chevrolet in 2023.