22 Florida companies make 2025 Fortune 500 list
The latest Fortune 500 list is out with over 20 companies based in the Sunshine State home. The list includes household names, like Publix, along with companies that span across different cities and a variety of industries in Florida. The requirements to be a Fortune 500 company are to be a for-profit company, publicly traded or privately held, be based in the U.S. and have revenue that puts it in the top 500 U.S. companies. More from the Florida Times-Union and Axios.
Central Florida tourism faces headwinds despite strong start and Epic Universe debut
Some Central Florida counties are expecting visitation to level off, even as recent numbers remain strong. Osceola County's updated tourist development tax monthly projection collection numbers for April to September for fiscal-year 2025 are expected to be down by 5.06%-6.21% over the year. For example, collections for the tax on hotels and short-term rentals for the county in March reached $8.8 million, down 5% compared to the year-ago period. More from the Orlando Business Journal.
South Florida-based Silver Airways shuts down, stranding travelers
Fort Lauderdale-based Silver Airways announced Wednesday that it has shut down operations. “In an attempt to restructure in bankruptcy, Silver entered into a transaction to sell its assets to another airline holding company, who unfortunately has determined not to continue Silver’s flight operations,” according to a company announcement Silver Airways flew routes in Florida, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico and other Caribbean airports. More from the Miami Herald and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Collier County tax roll tops $229B as new construction boosts values
Collier County’s 2025 estimated taxable property value climbed 8.17% to more than $164.4 billion, according to preliminary tax roll data. The county’s total market value hit $229.3 billion, a 3% increase over last year. New construction contributed $4.18 billion in market value and nearly $3.9 billion in taxable value. Municipalities also saw growth. More from Gulfshore Business.
Gateway Jax land swap for UF campus building gets green light
Jacksonville City Council signed off on a land swap advocated by Mayor Donna Deegan that will give Gateway Jax a one-acre piece of land at Riverfront Plaza where it proposes to build a 17-story tower filled with luxury hotel rooms and condominiums. In return for that land, Gateway Jax will give the city a two-story office building on West Bay Street that the city will donate to the University of Florida for its graduate campus in another part of downtown. More from the Florida Times-Union and the Jacksonville Daily Record.
Out of the Box
Renting private space for dogs becomes more popular in Florida
SniffSpot, founded in 2018, allows property owners to make a little extra cash by renting their backyards. Isa Vega said she has been a host for over a year. “I have my own business but I do this on the side and I also love pets,” Vega said. “I’m an animal lover so for me it’s not only about the money. I really enjoy seeing the dogs coming!” According to the company, Florida has the largest market in the country with more than 2,500 active listings.
» More from WPLG.
Florida Trend Exclusive
Curtains up
The Town of Palm Beach certainly has the wealth to support live theater, but the show has not gone on since the Royal Poinciana Playhouse closed in 2004. The playhouse shell overlooks the Intracoastal in the Royal Poinciana Plaza, a luxury retail center designed by John Volk, architect to Fords, duPonts and Vanderbilts. It resurfaces later this year as Glazer Hall theater and cultural arts center with $15 million in backing from Jill and Avie Glazer.
» Read more from Florida Trend.