Tropical Storm Erin forms, forecast to become major hurricane
Tropical Storm Erin formed Monday in the eastern Atlantic and is forecast to track west in the direction of the U.S., increase in strength and likely become the season’s first hurricane. Erin is still many days away from land and the forecast contains a lot of uncertainty. It was unclear whether the system will threaten Florida. Hurricane models are highly inaccurate at predicting storm tracks extending more than 10 days into the future. Still, forecasters at the National Weather Service’s Tampa Bay office have urged Floridians to keep an eye on the system over the next several days. More from the Tampa Bay Times and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
General revenue tops projection
General revenue tax collections in June slightly topped a projection, as consumers continued to make purchases ahead of anticipated tariff impacts. In a report released Friday, the Legislature’s Office of Economic & Demographic said Florida collected about $4.85 billion in net general revenue in June, $31.6 million more than economists projected in a March forecast. It was the second consecutive month that economists said revenue collections were affected by people preparing for tariffs. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Column: Innovating Florida forward: Focusing on tech and innovation is securing Florida’s future
Florida is on the cusp of something extraordinary. With the right investments, partnerships, and vision, Florida not only has the potential to accelerate its impressive growth, but to be a global leader as well. We already have the nation’s third-largest population, a fast-growing economy, and a globally recognized quality of life. But to truly futureproof Florida’s economy, we go beyond maintaining momentum…we must super fuel it through increased investments in innovation, technology, and economic diversification. [Source: Florida Trend]
Florida ranks in best states to live, despite low healthcare, education scores
Personal finance company WalletHub released its list of the best states to live in 2025 on Aug. 11. Despite recent top 10 “worst” placements on WalletHub’s best and worst states to have a baby, healthcare and child care in 2025, Florida ranked among the top 10 best states to live overall. The study used 51 key indicators across five categories: affordability, economy, education and health, quality of life and safety. [Source: Florida Today]
Years late, but ULA’s Vulcan set for 1st national security launch
On what would be Vulcan’s third ever launch and first for the government flying for Space Force’s Space Systems Command, the USSF-106 mission is targeting a Tuesday liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 41. Vulcan, a successor to ULA’s Atlas V and Delta IV class of rockets, originally was targeting a debut as early as 2019, but faced a series of delays due to COVID, the development of brand new engines from supplier Blue Origin and an explosion on a test pad. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Advancing pediatric surgery: A new chapter for South Florida
Nicklaus Children’s Health System, South Florida’s only licensed specialty hospital exclusively for children, has long been committed to inspiring hope and promoting lifelong health by providing the best care to every child. For 75 years, Nicklaus Children’s has served as a trusted leader dedicated exclusively to the medical and healthcare needs of children and adolescents, delivering advanced, family-centered care that supports both healing and hope. [Sponsored report]
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ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Report: ‘Broad-based weakness’ in Northeast Florida manufacturing
A monthly survey by the University of North Florida’s Local Economic Indicators Project found activity contracting in July at Jacksonville-area manufacturers, with continued pessimism about future conditions. A Purchasing Managers’ Index derived from the survey of manufacturing businesses in Northeast Florida was at 46.2 in July, lower than the 47.3 PMI in June.
› Stephen Ross, eMerge Americas and Florida 100 announce Gold Coast Tech Accelerator
The accelerator will launch this fall with two hybrid eight-week programs for startups that are already impactful, growing sectors in South Florida: fintech and dual-use/defense technology. Each program is designed to connect founders with resources, connections and access to mentorship from Florida’s top business leaders.
› Environmentalists warn about Poinciana expressway’s impact on Disney Preserve, wildlife corridor
A long-awaited design for an expressway that aims to change how Osceola County travels is set to be revealed to the public next month. But environmentalists have major concerns about its proximity to the 11,500-acre Disney Wilderness Preserve and its potential impact on wildlife. The proposed Southport Connector is a 15-mile tolled expressway in southern Osceola County extending from the Poinciana Parkway to Pleasant Hill Road and continuing east to Florida’s Turnpike.
› Tampa is the best city for foreign businesses, a report says
Roy Levy knew Tampa was a great spot for his Israel-based drone company’s new office. "Being from Tampa [and] being from Florida adds a lot to who we are,” said Levy, the U.S. General Manager of XTEND. XTEND is one of the nearly 500 international businesses that call Tampa home. And according to a report from the Financial Times and Nikkei, that home is the best spot for them.
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› Naples startup Prisidio partners with AARP on digital vault
Glenn Shimkus spent years targeting a key demographic for his Naples-based startup company for digital storage of personal documents, and now his efforts to land more users are coming to fruition. Prisidio, a digital vault for secure documents, announced Aug. 11 the launch of AARP Digital Vault — powered by Prisidio. When joining or renewing an AARP membership, members can choose to add Prisidio as an optional service for $20 a year for the basic plan or $95 a year for the unlimited plan.
› Kissimmee airport expansion to bring 100 new jobs
Cirrus Aircraft, known for its planes equipped with built-in parachutes, is partnering with the city of Kissimmee to develop a major expansion at Kissimmee Gateway Airport. The Duluth, Minnesota-based company plans to lease eight acres from the city to build a 66,000-square-foot complex featuring aircraft maintenance and storage hangars, customer service areas and office space — more than five times the size of its current hangar on site.
› Special election on future of GRU Authority can move forward, Alachua County judge rules
The future of the Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority remains uncertain after an Alachua County judge on Aug. 7 denied the board's attempt to keep a special election from happening in November that could ultimately dissolve the board. Judge George M. Wright's decision follows his ruling in April to nullify the results of a November 2024 referendum that passed overwhelmingly to delete the article of the city's charter that created the authority due to "misleading language."
› Sarasota software development firm opens office in Pakistan
A Sarasota software development company recently opened a new engineering office in Asia. Utilasoft now offers its custom services from a branch in Multan, Pakistan. “This office has been a year in the making,” founder and Chief Product Officer for Utilasoft Chris Abbott says in a statement. “We knew Multan would be a strategic fit — it offers the engineering talent and culture we need to build high-performing teams.”