Florida Trend Exclusive
Youth challenges in Florida's workforce
The Florida Chamber of Commerce sounded an alarm late last year, pointing to data that showed more people in their 20s left the state than moved in, often due to the cost of living. That’s a problem for a state already dealing with more than a quarter-million people under the age of 24 considered “disconnected youth” and not a part of the workforce. [Source: Florida Trend]
Library book battles cost Florida school districts big money
The effort to keep certain books out of Florida’s school libraries has become increasingly costly. The Escambia County school district, for instance, has spent nearly $1 million on legal fees in its battle to control the content of its media centers. Its fight over the fate of “And Tango Makes Three,” in which the authors argued their rights were violated when the district pulled the title from its shelves, has cost more than $300,000 alone. Other districts have opted to return books to shelves rather than face the costs. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
The government shutdown is hitting the housing market hard—and Florida shows what’s at stake
Flood insurance renewals are in limbo as the National Flood Insurance Program sits frozen. Builders are bracing for added delays, as the shutdown leaves few federal staff available to process key environmental permits. Homebuyers are seeing federal loans stalled. And what started as a bureaucratic pause is now threatening one of the state’s most powerful economic engines: real estate. That’s no small thing in Florida, where the housing sector doesn’t just shape the market—it is the market. Real estate accounts for 24.1% of Florida’s gross domestic product, the largest share of any state [Source: Realtor.com]
Florida files lawsuit against Roku for exploiting kids' data without parental consent
Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the lawsuit on X on Tuesday morning, stating that Roku is accused of accessing and exploiting data related to children's online preferences, behaviors, and even their locations. He emphasized that this practice is not only unethical but also goes against Florida's commitment to uphold parental rights in safeguarding their children's upbringing. [Source: WPEC]
Inside Amazon's $45 billion economic impact in Florida
Statewide, Amazon plans to hire about 13,500 holiday workers in the coming months. It's part of the online retailer's larger economic impact on the Sunshine State. The company reports it has invested $45.3 billion in Florida since 2010, a figure that includes company infrastructure and employee wages. The company reports it has more than 55,000 full and part-time employees across the state. [Source: South Florida Business Journal]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Tampa Bay Sports Commission chief search is on. Here’s why it matters
There’s a rare job opening worth local sports fans’ attention: The Tampa Bay Sports Commission is hiring a new executive director for the first time since 2004. Their next leader won’t affect any franchise’s performance, but the person hired will be a significant player in the region’s sports scene. The commission — a separate entity from the Tampa Sports Authority — is responsible for bringing premier sporting and entertainment events to Tampa Bay.
› SpaceX Starship "bakery" producing 1000 heatshield tiles per day in Cape Canaveral
SpaceX has a facility in Florida, nicknamed a "bakery," for mass-producing Starship heatshield tiles. The company aims for rapid reusability of its Starship vehicle, which requires a large and steady supply of these tiles. SpaceX plans to increase production to 7,000 tiles per day to support future launch goals from Florida.
› Behind-the-scenes look at the $6.8B Gas Plant proposal in St. Petersburg
The fuel to revitalize the long-neglected Historic Gas Plant District in downtown St. Petersburg could come from what, on the surface, seems like an unusual trio: a developer with a penchant for historical architecture; one of the most prominent and successful Wall Street tech investors of the past decade; and the leader of the one largest minority-owned construction firms in the Southeast.
› The Miami Seaquarium’s next era: boat slips, chefs, an aquarium. But no dolphins
Marine life still has a future at the Miami Seaquarium once developer David Martin takes over, but it’s the planned marina that would be the financial star at the home of the troubled and recently shuttered theme park. One of Miami’s most prolific and politically plugged-in developers, Martin is on the verge of taking control of the iconic waterfront theme park that closed its gates to the public on Sunday after 70 years as a tourist attraction.
More stories ...
› Tax rate winners and losers: full breakdown of Collier and Lee budgets
Southwest Florida has both the city with the highest property tax rate and the city with the lowest in Florida. Everglades City in Collier County approved the highest property tax, or millage, rate in the state for the current fiscal year, while Estero in Lee County approved the lowest. Marco Island argued for months but finally approved its first property tax rate increase in eight years. Fort Myers lowered its tax rate for the 10th consecutive year.
› Best time to buy a home in Jacksonville is near. How it compares to other Florida cities
For those dreaming of owning a home, the best times to buy a home this year are coming up, according to Realtor.com's 2025 Best Time to Buy report, and Jacksonville is among the markets poised for a buyer-friendly shift. Jacksonville remains the most affordable major metro area in Florida, with a median home price below the national average.
› Napster Studios unveils first phase of massive Fort Lauderdale headquarters campus
Fort Lauderdale will consider the first phase of Napster Studios' massive local headquarters this week. The three-story building being proposed would include spaces to support film production, post-production and "related creative industries." The site plan also includes community-focused amenities, including a designated gathering space envisioned as a food truck plaza to host rotating vendors, pop-up events and informal social activities.
› Will a toll road overpass fix Bradenton traffic?
The Florida Department of Transportation has narrowed the Bradenton-Palmetto connector study to three options to alleviate the area’s traffic congestion. Representatives from FDOT presented the latest in a years-long study to Manatee County commissioners on Oct. 7, saying the department will soon hold public workshops for community input on the proposed corridor improvements.