Florida citrus season starts with higher volumes
The 2025–26 Florida citrus season has begun with improved fruit quality, larger sizing, and higher volumes, according to Florida Classic Growers. The company reports favourable growing conditions and increased customer demand across the supply chain. With the state avoiding major hurricane damage so far this year, overall citrus volumes have increased compared to last season. More from Fresh Plaza.
St. Petersburg will extend Trop site proposal timeline
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch will, somewhat reluctantly, provide developers with additional time to submit their vision for a reimagined Historic Gas Plant District, currently home to Tropicana Field. Welch confirmed Tuesday morning that he will now open a 30-day window in January rather than in the coming days. Two high-profile development firms have requested additional time since the city announced Oct. 21 that it would formally welcome proposals in mid-November. More from the Catalyst.
Duval schools HQ site could get $300M redevelopment. What's going there?
The developer buying the Duval County school district’s Southbank headquarters could spend up to $300 million building the next glistening towers on the downtown Jacksonville riverfront. The results will be worth the money, Michael Balanky said. “It’s the last, best piece of dirt in Jacksonville, if you ask me,” said Balanky, president and CEO of Chase Properties, who said he’s thought about building in that part of the Southbank for almost 20 years. More from the Florida Times-Union.
Wynwood retail sees major shifts
Wynwood store owners are seeing a dramatic shift in the retail scene as the vibrant Miami neighborhood sprouts new construction projects, including residential buildings, apartments, commercial spaces and an increase in rent. Mariano Diaz is the owner of Wynwood Soul, an art and clothing store at 2301 NW Second Ave. “We are going through the worst time period in retail sales in Wynwood since the last five years probably … everything is going down, downhill very fast for a lot of retail stores,” Mr. Diaz said. More from Miami Today.
A.R. Savage Company celebrates 80th anniversary with new partnership and international expansion
The Tampa-based maritime company A.R. Savage Company LLC helped establish ocean shipping in Tampa Bay, with family roots in shipping dating back to before the U.S. Civil War. Now the family behind the company is celebrating 80 years of continuous family ownership and operations of their maritime company and is expanding with a new partnership to serve ports throughout the Americas from their headquarters in Tampa. More from the Florida Trend.
Business use of AI: Caution is critical
The embrace of generative artificial intelligence has grown significantly since ChatGPT’s public debut in 2022. It’s estimated that AI today has 350 million users, including 75% of businesses and 92% of Fortune 500 firms. Some expect it to top 950 million users globally by 2030. The reason is clear: AI can streamline processes, handle rote — and increasingly complex — tasks, and ease human workloads. However, the euphoria surrounding the business-enhancing possibilities must be accompanied by caution. [Sponsored report]
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Arts Business
Sensory-friendly holiday show joins CFCArts anniversary lineup
Central Florida Community Arts kicks its 15th-anniversary celebration into high gear with two big concerts in the coming weeks that go to the heart of its mission: Connecting people through music. In order to offer all people the chance to connect, the nonprofit will debut a sensory-friendly version of its annual “Celebrate the Season” holiday concert.
» More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Out of the Box
Florida’s 14th Annual Peanut Butter Challenge fights hunger and celebrates local farmers
In Florida, peanut farmers are wrapping up their harvest, and the state is once again rallying around a beloved fall tradition — the 14th Annual Peanut Butter Challenge. This statewide campaign unites communities to fight hunger while spotlighting the strength and importance of Florida’s peanut industry. The challenge encourages Floridians to donate jars of peanut butter — one of the most nutrient-dense, protein-packed foods — to help feed families in need.
» Read more from the Southeast AgNet.