Florida Chamber mid-year economic report touts growing GDP
The Florida Chamber of Commerce has issued its annual Business & Economic Mid-Year Report, showing that the Sunshine State is outpacing the nation so far this year in gross domestic product (GDP) growth. Florida’s GDP in the first quarter was estimated to amount to $1.76 trillion. It also was an increase of 1.4% for those first three months when compared to the same time period in 2024, according to the report. The U.S. GDP, meanwhile, showed a 0.5% decline for the same time frame. [Source: Florida Politics]
Business Beat - Week of July 25th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
State gears up for bear hunt
State wildlife officials next month could approve rules for a three-week bear hunt in December that would have “a more structured format” than a hunt halted a decade ago after a limit was quickly reached on bears that could be killed. The proposed rules, which will be considered by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission during a meeting Aug. 13 and Aug. 14 in Havana, would include a lottery-style permitting process and up to 187 bears being killed in four areas of the state. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Florida office rents rising despite slowing construction, growing vacancies
Rent prices for office space are rising across Florida, even as the pace of construction is slowing and vacancy rates are increasing. This comes even as construction slows across South Florida, mirroring national trends, with developers facing higher interest rates, rising costs and lingering macroeconomic uncertainty. Notably, rents are up at a time when vacancies are also on the rise across much of the region. [Source: South Florida Business Journal]
How common are Florida boat crashes? Here’s what the data shows
For Florida boaters, recent summers have meant more crowds and more crashes. Peaking every year from May through July, boating traffic and accidents in the state surged after the coronavirus pandemic, according to a Tampa Bay Times analysis of data from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. As Florida’s boating population grows, so does its potential for safety issues, experts say. The state has more than a million registered vessels — about 7% more than in 2019 and roughly 10% of all boats in the U.S. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Buyers in South Florida seeking older condos
Condos in Miami-Dade County’s older buildings have started selling more quickly than those in new structures, according to a new July sales report released by the Miami Association of Realtors. That trend might have been influenced by a new Florida condo safety law that went into effect on July 1 mandating inspections with immediate repairs and maintaining structural integrity studies to help prevent another Surfside condo collapse.
› All University of Florida employees to return to in-person work over next 30 days
The University of Florida announced via email on July 24 that all employees still working hybrid or remote schedules dating back to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 will transition to full in-person work over the next 30 days. The email, sent by interim UF President Kent Fuchs just a week before his current contract expires, says the "decision aligns with national trends across business, education and government sectors."
› FPL rate hike would double-charge customers to pad profits, filings say
If state utility regulators approve Florida Power & Light’s request to hike base rates by more than $9.8 billion over four years, it would mean charging Floridians billions more than necessary solely to fund soaring shareholder profits, the state consumer advocate wrote in filings to utility regulators.
› Florida Theatre receives Outstanding Historic Theatre Award
The League of Historic American Theatres presented its 2025 Outstanding Historic Theatre Award on July 20 to the Florida Theatre in Downtown Jacksonville. The award recognizes a theater that demonstrates excellence through its community impact, quality of programs and service and quality of the restoration or rehabilitation of its historic structure.
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› Florida manatee deaths surge in June, with watercraft collisions leading the causes
Florida’s manatee mortality crisis deepened in June, with another 60 deaths reported statewide. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Marine Mammal Pathobiology Laboratory, the latest data reveal troubling patterns.
› Proposed Jacksonville budget includes more than $37.5 million for court services
The proposed $2 billion city budget presented July 14 by Mayor Donna Deegan includes more than $37.5 million for the courts, government attorneys and related operating costs. The courts’ budget includes the Circuit Court and County Court expenses exclusive of the cost of judges and other state employees. Certain costs associated with the operation of the Court Administrator’s Office are included in this budget.
› Eligible Floridians can get free WW subscriptions to prevent chronic disease
Florida's surgeon general announced a new initiative where eligible Floridians in certain counties can get free WW, formerly WeightWatchers, subscriptions. The pilot program will provide free services to people in Hillsborough, Leon and Palm Beach counties for up to one year. Participants will have access to features such as 24-hour coaching, an activity tracker, customized food and exercise planning, among many others.
› Survey shows dissatisfaction on St. Armands with Sarasota's hurricane response
Residents and stakeholders of St. Armands Key, one of Sarasota’s “crown jewels” in destinations, showed overwhelming support for more focused help for those on the barrier island before and after storms, nearly a year after it was inundated by Hurricane Helene’s storm surge. The survey, conducted by the St. Armands Residents Association, received 167 responses and was conducted this summer.