Florida Trend Exclusive
Floridian of the Year | Degrees of hope
The future for thousands of Osceola County students changed immeasurably in January 2022 inside Tallahassee’s Liberty Bar & Restaurant. There, County Commissioner Brandon Arrington met Valencia College President Kathleen Plinske for dinner to brainstorm ideas for $12.5 million in available COVID-19 relief money the county set aside to support education. At dinner, Plinske pitched Arrington on an idea that no one had ever tried: What if they used that COVID money to cover tuition and fees for every Osceola County high school graduate to go to Valencia or Osceola Technical College? [Source: Florida Trend]
Lawmakers delve into data centers
Compared to some other states, Florida is late to the data-center game. But with explosive growth in the use of artificial intelligence and other technology, Florida utilities, regulators and lawmakers are preparing for what could be an influx of data centers that would use massive amounts of electricity and tap water resources. A key question has been how to make electric-system upgrades without saddling existing utility customers with costs. [Source: News Service of Florida]
See also:
» Energy officials tell Florida lawmakers they’re aware of the unpopularity of AI data centers
The Big Bend conservation economy: Why protecting Florida’s last wild coast is a smart investment
Florida’s Big Bend is one of the last undeveloped coastal regions in the continental U.S. Natural features like rivers, salt marshes, longleaf forests and seagrass meadows form a connected, vibrant ecosystem. The ecological health of this area is critical for supporting local livelihoods, traditions and the economy. Increasingly, policymakers, conservation groups and local communities recognize that protecting the Big Bend’s natural systems is an environmental responsibility and a key economic strategy. This approach is called the Big Bend Conservation Economy, based on the principle that nature itself functions as economic infrastructure. [Source: The Invading Sea]
House panel backs insurance AI restriction
In an issue stemming from the use of artificial intelligence in the insurance industry, a House panel Tuesday approved a proposal that would require humans to make ultimate decisions about denying claims or reducing claim payments. The House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee unanimously approved the bill (HB 527) amid opposition from insurance-industry groups — but support from groups that represent hospitals and doctors. [Source: News Service of Florida]
SBA urges Florida businesses and nonprofits hit by April drought to apply for loan assistance
Small businesses and private nonprofit organizations impacted by Florida’s seasonal drought in April are being urged to apply for low-interest federal disaster loans to help deal with losses. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has set Jan. 5 as the deadline for the drought relief applications. The drought was so severe in April that there was a federal disaster declaration in more than a dozen Florida counties. [Source: Florida Politics]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› JAX Chamber announces 2026 Small Business Leaders of the Year
The JAX Chamber has announced its 2026 Small Business Leaders of the Year. The leaders were selected by the Chamber Councils, the Beaches Division, NextUp JAX and Venture Services. One of the 11 business leaders will be named the overall 2026 Small Business Leader of the Year during a breakfast reception presented by TD Bank on Jan. 29 at the University of North Florida.
› 25 years strong: AKC National Championship brings thousands of dogs to Orlando
Thousands of canines and their owners will gather in Orlando this weekend as North America’s largest dog show returns with tests of agility, obedience, rally, dock diving and conformation to breed standards. The AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, welcoming dogs from all 50 states and around the world to the Orange County Convention Center on Dec. 13 and 14.
› Tampa City Council advances plan to increase developer impact fees for first time since 1989
Tampa City Council is one step away from finalizing a significant hike in fees developers will pay when building new projects in the city. On Dec. 4, council held its first hearing on increasing its multimodal transportation impact fees, the one-time fee a developer pays during permitting that funds projects to accommodate the increased density in the area. The fee hasn’t increased since 1989, but the city plans to implement significant increases starting next year.
› Services at Palm Springs veterans community to include job training
After 11 years of pitching, planning and fundraising for a affordable housing project to will house 50 low-income veterans and their families, Roy Foster dug the first shovel on the grounds off of Lake Worth Road that will become the Village of Valor. The Village of Valor is expected to open in 2027 and will feature 50 income-restricted units for veterans and their families in Palm Springs.
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› Developer bringing 9,000-home project to Florida. Here's where, what to know
The Sarasota County Planning Commission has recommended approval of a project to build nearly 9,000 homes as part of the Winchester Ranch development along North Port. The county commission will make the ultimate determination sometime in early 2026. Winchester Ranch, a project from the developers of Wellen Park, is expected to break ground in 2027 or 2028, depending on final approval from the Sarasota County Commission.
› After $637K spent in a losing legal cause, Windermere appeals boathouse decision
The Town of Windermere, which at last count had spent $637,000 asserting its disputed claim to five century-old wooden boathouses, will add to its hefty legal bill by asking an appellate panel to review an emphatic lower court decision siding with the structures’ private owners. Daniel Langley, co-counsel for the owners of the boathouses, which perch in a lagoon adjacent to popular Lake Butler, said the move will only cost taxpayers more. His clients plan to seek reimbursement for attorney fees and costs.
› Partnership of sports business executive and tech investor acquire Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
A new ownership group has acquired the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp baseball team in a transaction that also included the sale of another minor-league club in Ohio. The Jumbo Shrimp announced in a Dec. 9 release that Prospector Baseball Group purchased the Triple-A Jacksonville team in a deal approved by Major League Baseball earlier in the day.
› Flagler Museum's dining hall restorations garner Historic Trust award
Palm Beach’s Henry Morrison Flagler Museum added another award to its mantel, after the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation honored the restoration of the historic mansion’s dining hall. During an award ceremony in July, the nonprofit dedicated to protecting Florida’s heritage and history chose the Flagler Museum, also known as Whitehall, as one of the winners of its 2025 Florida Preservation Award in the category of Restoration, Rehabilitation or Adaptive Use.