Florida small business owners’ optimism remained steady in June
The monthly Florida National Federation of Independent Businesses Optimism Index edged down 0.2 of a point to 98.6, which is slightly above the 51-year average of 98. The biggest driver of the slight downward trend was owners reporting excess inventories. More small business owners reported taxes as their single most important problem, up one point from May and again ranking as their top problem. [Source: The Center Square]
Business Beat - Week of July 11th
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Report: Everglades generates $31.5B a year, worth $1T over 50 years
The nonprofit Everglades Foundation has released a report highlighting the Everglades’ $31.5 billion annual economic impact — the largest of any subtropical wetland system in the continental U.S. The report, done in collaboration with Tacoma, Washington-based nonprofit Earth Economics, estimates the value of ecosystem services provided by the Everglades at more than $1 trillion over the next 50 years. [Source: Gulfshore Business]
Florida APEX Accelerator gets national Economic Impact Award
The Florida APEX Accelerator received the Economic Impact Award by the National APEX Accelerator Alliance (NAPEX) for contributions in helping Florida businesses secure government contracts, create jobs, and fuel economic growth. n 2024, the Florida APEX Accelerator helped small businesses in Florida secure $596.1 million in government contract awards, marking the highest annual contract value in the program’s nearly 40-year history. [Source: Spectrum News]
Study: Florida poorly positioned to win the AI race
With 11.3% of businesses using AI (sixth overall in the United States), Florida is finding ways to monetize the technology. But even with 11 AI jobs per 1,000 workers (21st overall), infrastructure and education aren’t keeping up. For example, only 2.3% of high school students take computer science. Only 10 states are worse by that metric. The state is 35th when it comes to AI-related degrees for people aged 20 to 24. [Source: Florida Politics]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Facing threat of lawsuits, Orange County may scrap its rural boundary
A threat from lawyers for a collective of cattle ranchers is forcing Orange County to consider repealing a slate of popular growth controls, a move that could upend land-use planning in rural areas and other properties outside of city limits. The attorneys have pinned their promised lawsuit on little-noticed legislation, Senate Bill 180, signed into law June 26 by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The law’s stated intent is to limit “restrictive or burdensome” land-use rules that could thwart landowners’ rebuilding in the wake of recent hurricanes. But its language is far more sweeping.
› Gainesville business owners say Downtown Ambassador Program making positive impact
Gainesville business owners say they have noticed significant improvements to the downtown area thanks to the city's Downtown Ambassador Program. Launched in December 2024, the program's "ambassadors" are tasked with reporting suspicious activity, providing outreach to the homeless, providing walking escorts, and cleaning tasks such as picking up trash and removing graffiti.
› Why is Jackson South’s maternity ward closing? Here’s what the CEO told leaders
The top executive of Miami-Dade’s public hospital system has explained to top state and county leaders why plans are in the works to shutter the labor and delivery unit at Jackson South, which provides care to patients in an underserved part of the county. Longtime Jackson Health System CEO Carlos Migoya, in a Tuesday memo to the chairman of the board that oversees the public hospital system, attributed the maternity ward’s upcoming fall closure as a “data-driven” decision.
› Collier to ask voters for 1% tourist tax hike to finish sports complex, fund other needs
To complete Paradise Coast Sports Complex, promote it and fund other tourism-related uses, Collier County registered voters will be asked to increase the county’s tourism bed tax by a penny, to 6 cents. If voters pass it during the Nov. 3, 2026, general election, Collier would join 12 other Florida counties bringing in the maximum tourist-development tax imposed on visitors who lease rentals of six months or less, including hotels, Airbnbs, mobile homes, recreational vehicle parks and campgrounds.
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› SunRail partners look at ways to expand weekend, night service
SunRail's partners are looking at ways to offer more special night and weekend service, including cost sharing. Tanya Wilder, chair of the Technical Advisory Committee and director of the city of Orlando's Transportation Department, said during a July 9 meeting the local government partners could look at ways to share the cost for some special events.
› Brevard settles legal dispute over access to beach land owned by Commissioner Altman, family
Brevard County will pay County Commissioner Thad Altman and his family $121,721 to settle a long-running legal battle over access to beach land the Altmans own off State Road A1A, north of Indialantic. County commissioners on July 8 approved the settlement by a 3-1 vote, with Altman abstaining and County Commission Chair Rob Feltner voting no.
› Bucs owners offer grants to hurricane-impacted businesses
The owners of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers created the Glazer Family Small Business Fund after the 2024 hurricanes hit Florida to help organizations impacted by the storms. The fund is currently accepting applications for a third round of small business fund grants, open to small businesses in Tampa Bay and west central Florida.
› Health Advocates Network of Boca raises $15.6M in debt and equity funding
Health Advocates Network, a national provider of healthcare workforce solutions, announced that it has closed on $15.6 million in growth capital in recent equity and debt raises. Founded in 2020 and based in Boca Raton, Health Advocates Network proides healthcare staffing and services across the United States to hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities, supporting the company’s mission to provide quality care and optimal patient outcomves.