Not just a swamp: Everglades worth $31.5 billion to local economy each year
Crocodiles, alligators, and destructive Burmese pythons thrive in the Everglades, but a new study shows that the singular ecosystem is also vital to South Florida’s economy, helping sustain millions of people who live around its periphery. Each year, according to a new report from an environmental advocacy group, the sprawling wetland contributes some $31.5 billion to real estate, tourism, and other sectors of the local economy. Over the next 50 years, that value will add up to more than $1 trillion. More from the Miami Herald.
Property insurer asking state to allow 31% rate increase when policyholders renew
The state’s notoriously expensive property insurance may be getting even more costly. Trusted Resource Underwriters Exchange, which goes by the acronym TRUE, asked state regulators at a June 17 rate hearing to allow the insurer to jack rates up by 31% for its multiperil homeowners’ insurance for tens of thousands of policyholders when they renew this year. Florida homeowners pay some of the highest insurance premiums in the country, but the increases have recently slowed. More from the Palm Beach Post.
Brevard has to decide how to handle another 66,000 people by 2035
Brevard County is projected to gain over 66,000 new residents in the next decade, posing challenges for infrastructure and environmental protection. Traffic congestion, pedestrian safety, and hurricane evacuation routes are major concerns as the population grows. Water supply, quality, and sewage management are critical issues, with aging infrastructure and increasing pollution threatening the Indian River Lagoon. More from Florida Today.
What’s next for Tropicana Field? Maybe a convention center.
St. Petersburg and Pinellas County are teaming up again for the future of Tropicana Field — this time, to explore the idea of a convention center. City Development Administrator James Corbett told City Council members in an email around 6 p.m. Wednesday that following a meeting with Pinellas County Administrator Barry Burton earlier this week, they agreed to collaborate on a feasibility study for a potential convention center as part of the new vision for the Historic Gas Plant District. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Jacksonville manufacturer doubles capacity with expansion
In a major boost to Jacksonville’s manufacturing footprint, a decades-old plant in the city’s North Riverside neighborhood is doubling down on its coffee credentials. Danone North America unveiled a $65 million expansion Tuesday that doubles production capacity at its 76-year-old facility — the source of millions of International Delight creamers and Silk plant-based milks stocked on Southeastern shelves. More from the Jacksonville Business Journal.
Entertainment
Orlando Fringe Festival attendance ticks upward: ‘A lot of positive energy’
Orlando Fringe leaders are calling the May festival a success, saying both attendance and money earned by artists increased over 2024. The May 2024 festival saw attendance drop to about 50,000 patrons for the annual two-week extravaganza of theater, music, comedy, dance and art in Loch Haven Park, north of downtown. But that number rebounded this year to about 55,000, the organization said.
» More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Florida Trend Exclusive
Building boom
In response to the campus housing crunch, Florida universities are putting on their hard hats and launching ambitious and expensive building plans to dramatically increase the number of student beds on campus. Even as new residence halls sprout from the ground, they’re noticeably different from the student dorms of yesteryear. They tend to have more amenities, for one thing.
» Read more from Florida Trend.