Proposals for massive data centers are popping across Florida
Florida doesn't have a hyperscale data center operating yet, but proposals to build them are emerging all across the state. There are many traditional data centers here, though, where external servers can live on the floor of an office building or in a warehouse. The new, hyperscale facilities, however, usually take up multiple buildings and require a significant amount of energy to function in a way traditional data centers do not for things like artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency. More from WUSF.
Florida wildfires close roads, burn bans in effect amid severe drought
Smoke from wildfires has closed Florida highways and interstates. Almost the entire state is suffering from a lack of rainfall, the downside of no hurricanes or tropical storms during the last hurricane season, among other factors. Burn bans are in effect across more than half of Florida's 67 counties, and several water management districts are asking residents to reduce how much water they use. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Palm Beach County tourism topped 10 million. Now comes the World Cup.
Palm Beach County set a new tourism record in 2025 with over 10.7 million visitors. Visitor spending increased to $7.7 billion, contributing to an overall economic impact of $11.7 billion. New hotels, restaurants, and business expansions, particularly in finance, helped attract more visitors. The county is preparing for a potential tourism boost from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in South Florida. More from the Palm Beach Post.
Tampa International Airport develops unconventional process to shape $1.5 billion Airside D
For the past three and a half years, Tampa International Airport executives have taken an unorthodox approach to build what will undoubtedly be the largest project of their respective careers. Traditionally, when airports hire design-build teams to bring new projects to life, they outline their expectations and then hand over the reins. The more than $1.52 billion Airside D project — which will add 16 gates to TPA — diverted from that course. More from the Tampa Bay Business Journal.
Brevard County's new $16.2M transportation hub to be traffic 'nerve center'
Next year, Brevard County plans to open a hub that will act as the "brain" of the county's transportation-management operations. The $16.2 million project, funded by the Florida Department of Transportation, Space Coast Planning and Transportation Organization and the county broke ground Feb. 13 on the Pineda Causeway just east of Wickham Road. County officials hope the Brevard Regional Transportation Management Center, a project being planned for two decades, will centralize real-time traffic monitoring, incident management, and emergency coordination. More from Florida Today.
Florida Dining
New York’s most famous bagels are coming to Miami
You’ve seen H&H Bagels on “Sex and the City” and “Seinfeld,” even “The Office.” Now, you can try them for yourself in Miami. New York City’s most famous bagels are coming to Pinecrest as part of the brand’s expansion into Florida. In addition to its seven locations in New York, H&H already has locations in Boca Raton, West Palm Beach and Tampa, as well as franchises in California, Washington, D.C., Tennessee and North Carolina.
» More from the Miami Herald.
Business Profile
Jacksonville firm targets dangerous work with drones
More than a decade ago, Bob Dahlstrom was tinkering with drone technology in his garage as the commercial market was just taking flight. Today, his Jacksonville-based company counts institutional investors, global clients and U.S. defense compliance among its credentials — part of a broader industry surge that saw private drone firms raise more than $10 billion in 2025 alone.
» Read more from the Jacksonville Business Journal.