Housing market hitting the brakes? New analysis finds Florida dominates areas slashing home prices
While Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial beginning of Summer, it’s also the gateway to the traditional robust part of the year for home sales. But this year, sellers are facing challenges in the Sun Belt, especially in Florida. The shift toward a slowing housing market comes after several years of booming home prices and sales in the wake of the COVID pandemic. But as the housing market slows, Realtor.com economists now say Florida dominates the markets featuring markdowns on original sale prices. [Source: Florida Politics]
Florida Trend Exclusive
Flight path
Alumni networks can be vital links to a university’s recruiting and fundraising. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s alumni helped land two major manufacturing operations in the past year, both of which stand to bring high-paying jobs to Volusia County and help train the aviation and aerospace workforce’s next generation. Boeing is about to open a new engineering center at the CiCi and Hyatt Brown Center for Aerospace Technology in Embry-Riddle Research Park to serve its Defense, Space and Security wing. The aviation giant promises to bring at least 400 new jobs with it. [Source: Florida Trend]
Florida board approves next steps toward proposed bear hunt
A Florida board of wildlife commissioners greenlit a set of rules that would lay the groundwork for the first bear hunt in a decade, after more than three hours of heated public comment Wednesday. The plan to amend Florida‘s hunting rules was presented in Ocala to commissioners for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the board appointed by Gov. Ron Desantis. The 4-1 vote is a step toward an official bear hunt that would happen this year. The commission will consider a final approval in August, pending any other proposal changes. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Aligned: Farmers, environmental groups push green corridor
The Florida Wildlife Corridor aims to connect 18 million acres of land from Florida Bay to Georgia, creating pathways for wildlife between preserves and parks. The project focuses on purchasing development rights from farmers and ranchers to preserve green space and wildlife habitats. The corridor has garnered support from both farmers and environmental groups, fostering collaboration to protect Florida's biodiversity. [Source: Fort Myers News-Press]
Florida Funders sheds its ‘Florida-only’ label as it enters next phase of growth
Florida Funders made its name by betting on Sunshine State startups, but a new move bets that it was holding the organization back. The Tampa-based venture capital firm has rebranded to FLF, as part of a bigger push to reflect what insiders already know: The firm stopped being Florida-only long ago. [Source: Tampa Bay Business Journal]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› World’s largest cruise ship performs sea trials before Port Canaveral arrival
What will become the largest cruise ship in the world is set to begin sailing from Port Canaveral in August, but first Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas has to complete a series of sea trials. The sister ship to current titleholder Icon of the Seas that debuted out of Miami last year ventured out into the waters off the coast of Turku, Finland, where the 248,663-gross-ton vessel has been under construction since February 2023.
› How Universal’s new Epic Universe theme park could shape Central Florida
Seven years after Universal Orlando drew up its most ambitious expansion yet, the new Epic Universe theme park is officially opening to the public. Streams of enthusiastic visitors will test Orlando’s first new theme park in decades on May 22. Epic has already doubled the size of Universal’s campus and increased its hotel room count by 2,000.
› South Florida's FanBasis is helping creators grow from content into real companies
Years ago, digital creators were seen as side hustlers: posting videos, building an audience, and maybe earning a bit of ad revenue. Today, many of those creators are running full-scale businesses. But until recently, the infrastructure supporting them looked more like a patchwork of tools than a proper tech stack. That’s where FanBasis comes in, and the South Florida startup has just raised $20 million to expand its all-in-one platform for internet entrepreneurs.
› Newly-opened D Ranch Preserve protects nearly 500 acres of wild Florida
Bald eagles, gopher tortoises, wading birds and native amphibians at risk of having their homes taken away have Conservation Florida to thank for a new piece of protected habitat in Central Florida. D Ranch Preserve in western Volusia County recently transformed from privately held ranch land — which was at risk of turning into shopping centers and homes — into a protected piece of public land.
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› South Florida gained the most jobs in these industries
The trade, transportation and utilities sector is adding thousands of new jobs in South Florida, according to data from FloridaCommerce. The region gained more than 30,000 jobs between April 2024 and April 2025. Almost a third of those roles were in trade, transportation and utilities, an industry that includes jobs such as truck drivers, warehouse workers, electricians, field service technicians, and wholesale and retail salespeople.
› Brevard County will increase fees by 37% to help pay and retain firefighters
Fire fees for homeowners in unincorporated parts of Brevard County will go up by 37% after the Brevard County Commission unanimously approved the increase to help meet firefighter and paramedic wage demands at their May 20 meeting. Those fee changes could amount to an average $103.44 annual increase for homeowners to a new average annual rate of $383.01 for Brevard County homeowners.
› Bradenton breaks ground on $35M police headquarters
The city of Bradenton has broken ground on the new headquarters for the Bradenton Police Department. At $35 million, the project is “probably the highest cost vertical construction project the city has ever done,” City Administrator Rob Perry said at the May 20 groundbreaking.
› New salmonella outbreak tied to same Florida grower with tainted cucumbers last year
U.S. health officials are investigating a new outbreak of salmonella illnesses tied to a Florida grower whose tainted cucumbers were linked to more than 550 illnesses last year. Cucumbers grown by Florida-based Bedner Growers and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales have been linked to illnesses in at least 26 people in 15 states, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported.