South Florida’s economy shows staying power despite slower pace, trade and immigration chaos
If $10 million votes of confidence are the future currency of South Florida’s economic development, then some parts of the region might well become the Silicon Valley replica that some planners and developers envision. For now, local analysts, developers, innovators and promoters — as well as anyone sizing up the “Gold Coast” as a potential relocation site — can all expect to encounter a slower speed regional economy this year after a multi-year surge of migration and growth driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. More from the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Orlando eyes $160M loan for downtown projects
Orlando is weighing a $160 million bond that would kick-start a slate of downtown construction projects aimed at boosting walkability and attracting new investment to the area. The Orlando City Council will consider the bond Feb. 9 for the Community Redevelopment Agency. The proceeds would be used for upgrades to Lake Eola Park, as well as The Canopy park under Interstate 4, upgrades to Church Street and the one-way to two-way conversion of vehicle traffic on Orange and Rosalind avenues. More from the Orlando Business Journal.
Space Coast's legacy malls, retail centers navigate sector's evolution
Vacant storefronts and thinning foot traffic have become familiar sights across Brevard County, where the Space Coast's boom-and-bust economy has left retail centers struggling to keep pace with shifting demand. Nowhere is that more evident than at long-standing hubs such as Merritt Square Mall, where empty units and darkened corridors reflect broader turbulence in the region's post-shuttle era. The Space Coast's landscape echoes a national reckoning for brick-and-mortar retail. More from the Orlando Business Journal.
Charlotte County tourism outlook strong heading into 2026
Tourism officials say Charlotte County is positioned for a strong rebound in fiscal year 2026, with early indicators pointing to increased visitor activity and solid lodging demand in the months ahead. Sean Doherty, director of tourism for the Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau, is scheduled to present a first-quarter fiscal year 2026 tourism forecast to Charlotte County commissioners Feb. 10. The outlook is expected to be robust, following a year shaped in part by storm-related disruptions. More from Gulfshore Business.
Put a stake in it? Fort Lauderdale vice mayor calls train tunnel a ‘zombie project’
Critics doubt a tunnel for commuter rail will ever get built in Fort Lauderdale’s downtown. Fort Lauderdale Vice Mayor John Herbst is one of them — and he thinks it’s high time for Fort Lauderdale to finally give up its fight to get a tunnel built at the New River. “This is a zombie project,” Herbst said during a recent commission discussion. “I don’t understand the purpose of continuing to drag this thing along. Put a stake in it, call it dead and be done with it." More from the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
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Out of the Box
New Florida State Fair foods for 2026
What do Mexican-style street corn, Italian sausage and frozen cheesecake have in common? They’re just some of the new foods at this year’s Florida State Fair, which runs through Feb. 16. America is celebrating its 250th this year, and the fair is honoring the birthday with a red, white and blue theme and a bevy of multi-cultural options.
» More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Business Profile
Staying true to a vision: Beloved Broward ice cream shop celebrates 70 years
Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlor & Restaurant, which first opened on Federal Highway in 1956, has been drawing loyal customers for decades. Generations of South Floridians from Broward County (and Miami-Dade and Palm Beach, too) return over and over, drawn by the exquisite comfort of walking into a place that’s barely changed over the years, which is something of a miracle in a world that changes the way South Florida does.
» Read more from the Miami Herald.