South Florida continues having the strongest job market in the Sunshine State
South Florida’s unemployment rate fell in December, down to 3.5% as Miami-Dade County continues to have the lowest jobless rate in the state. It also means South Florida has one of the lowest unemployment rates among largest metropolitan areas in the county. The region saw employment increase by almost 4,000 last month compared to November. Most of the work was added in Broward County. South Florida’s job gains came from the traditional industries. More from WLRN.
Early literacy: Building Florida’s future, one child at a time
Florida leads the nation in economic growth. We now have an ambitious opportunity to be the first state in America where 100% of our kindergarteners are ready for kindergarten and 100% of our 3rd graders are reading at grade level. Achieving these goals requires families, educators, and business leaders to work together. More from Florida Trend.
Zillow lists Jacksonville as a top market for homebuyers
A new study from online real estate company Zillow lists Jacksonville as one of the most favorable markets for homebuyers in the U.S. Zillow ranks Jacksonville No. 4 on its list of buyer-friendly cities in 2026. The study, released Jan. 26, examined the 49 largest U.S. metros based on growth of home values, the amount a mortgage would demand from a family budget and buyer competition. More from the Jacksonville Daily Recorrd.
Miami as a gateway: Taiwan's quiet economic strategy in the Americas
When Americans think about Taiwan, they most often think about semiconductors, geopolitics and tensions across the Taiwan Strait. What receives far less attention is how Taiwan has been steadily increasing its economic footprint inside the United States and how a region like South Florida is quietly becoming part of that strategy. More from UPI.
Orlando Fringe’s Winter Mini-Fest ‘exceeded all our goals,’ leader says
Orlando Fringe’s Winter Mini-Fest had a strong showing in its 2026 outing this month, coming close to selling the most tickets in the event’s decade-long history and potentially signalling higher turnout for the nonprofit’s signature May festival. “It was a great year for us,” said Orlando Fringe artistic director Tempestt Halstead, who programs and produces the festival. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Business Profile
Smallwood Store marks 100 years as Everglades landmark
Ted Smallwood Store has withstood the test of time, flanked by mangroves among the Ten Thousand Islands and perched south of the southernmost city in Collier County, overlooking Chokoloskee Bay. On Jan. 23–24, the store marked the centennial of when C.S. “Ted” Smallwood completed a major renovation to elevate the structure he first built in 1906 as a trading outpost and post office on Chokoloskee Island, which lacked road access until 1956.
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Florida Trend Exclusive
2026 Economic Outlook | Southeast
The world’s largest collection of Rembrandts in private hands is on display at the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach through March. The show, “Art and Life in Rembrandt’s Time: Masterpieces from The Leiden Collection,” features 17 works from the master.
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