Wednesday’s Afternoon Update

Florida still #1 for international buyers

Florida continues to dominate the international real estate landscape, according to a new report from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). The 2025 International Transactions in U.S. Residential Real Estate report shows foreign buyer activity rebounding nationwide, and once again, Florida leads the pack. From April 2024 to March 2025, international buyers invested $56 billion in U.S. residential real estate, representing a 33% year-over-year increase. Florida captured 21% of that activity. More from Florida Politics.

Hurricane center says system could move across Florida and develop in Gulf

The National Hurricane Center continued Wednesday to track a low pressure system near Florida that could move west into the Gulf and develop into the season’s next tropical depression or storm. “Over the next day or two, this system is forecast to move west-southwestward into the north-central portion of the Gulf where some slow development is possible,” forecasters said. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Ark Invest to move HQ to new St. Petersburg office tower

Ark Invest, a global investment firm led by prominent investor Cathie Wood, will move its headquarters to a new St. Petersburg tower when it opens. Ellison Development, the developer of the building, announced Wednesday Ark will take 13,000 square feet on the 11th floor of Halcyon, the tower expected to begin construction later this year. More from the Business Observer and the Tampa Bay Times.

NextEra beats quarterly profit estimates on massive power demand

NextEra Energy beat Wall Street estimates for second-quarter adjusted profit on Wednesday, boosted by robust growth in its renewables division amid soaring power demand from AI data centers and hyperscalers. But NextEra stock dropped 4% to $74.14 per share on concerns about the future of renewable energy tax credits. Power consumption in the U.S. is expected to reach record highs in 2025 and 2026, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. More from Reuters.

North Port leaders decide big new police station would be too costly

The North Port City Commission punted on plans to build a $122.7 million police station Tuesday, deciding to hold a future meeting to shrink a proposal for a space designed to fill the city’s needs until 2065. The board then agreed to explore using an alternative borrowing plan to build a garbage processing facility either on its own or in partnership with Tampa-based Florida Development Solutions. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

From the Sunshine State to Oxford — a Bright Future indeed

When Tyler Fisher earned a Bright Futures Scholarship and went on to attend the University of Central Florida (UCF), he didn’t know that would only be the beginning of his adventure in higher education. The son of middle school teachers, Fisher always knew college was in his future. The oldest of his siblings, he didn’t want to burden his parents to pay the cost of tuition and housing. Yet from an early age, he knew that the Bright Futures Scholarship could open the doors to his future. [Sponsored report]

 

Florida Trend Mention

Deadline Extended | Nominate by Friday July 25! Florida Trend’s Legal Elite: Notable Women Leaders in Law celebrates outstanding female attorneys who lead with impact in the courtroom, boardroom and community. Nominees must be Florida-based, in good standing with the Florida Bar, have 15+ years of legal experience and practice at a law firm with 10+ staff. Candidates must be firm-nominated by senior management. Know someone who deserves the spotlight? There’s still time to submit your nomination by Friday, July 25!