Consumer sentiment among Floridians improves notably in February
Confidence in the economy among Floridians has ticked up for three straight months. The consumer sentiment survey results published by University of Florida researchers showed overall consumer confidence increased in February. The consumer sentiment index went from 76.9 in January to 79.3 in February. The consumer sentiment survey was conducted between Jan. 1 to Feb. 26. UF researchers contacted 372 Floridians by mobile phone. More from Florida Politics and Florida Trend.
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Beyond water wars
THE FLORIDA COUNCIL OF 100, a nonpartisan nonprofit of policy-focused business leaders, aims to launch within the next two years the State University System-based Water Center — Florida’s first consolidated source of water quality and quantity data and technical assistance. The goal is for state universities to contribute research to an AI-enabled digital repository, making water-related information more accessible for the masses. [Source: Florida Trend]
Could the Florida manatee deaths this winter have been prevented?
As the weather turned frigid in February with surprising zeal, one of Florida’s most beloved creatures sought salvation in warm water refuges hewn by nature and those that are the byproducts of man. Still, at least 30 manatees died from cold stress in the southwestern reaches of the state. The deaths were nearly three times higher than the 5-year average through Feb. 20 and more than the annual totals of nine of the past 16 years. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Advocates push for Florida arts funding amid cuts
Millions of dollars in funding for Florida’s arts and culture nonprofits are at stake as state budget discussions continue in the coming weeks. Advocates say the investments, ranging from less than $20,000 to $150,000, generate economic benefits and improve quality of life in the communities they serve. The nonprofit Americans for the Arts estimated Florida’s nonprofit arts and culture sector generated $5.8 billion in spending and supported 91,270 jobs. [Source: Gulfshore Business]
Florida homeowners to see insurance surcharge end 2 years early, saving $650 million
Florida homeowners will soon see relief on their insurance bills after the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association announced last week it is ending a 1% emergency surcharge two years ahead of schedule. The surcharge had been in place for three years, originally implemented after 10 insurance companies went out of business. Ending it early could save policyholders up to $650 million over the next two years — about $31 a year for the average homeowner. [Source: WPTV]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› A maze of revisions and reviews stalled Alligator Alcatraz reimbursement request
As Florida continues to press the Trump administration to cover $608 million in spending on its controversial “Alligator Alcatraz” immigration detention center, newly released records show Washington voiced concerns about the state’s budget proposals for reimbursement of the Everglades facility months ago. The cache of roughly 3,000 pages of documents and emails, spanning late June through mid-December, reveals that federal officials paused reimbursement for the remote detention center in the final weeks of 2025, citing administrative flaws in Florida’s grant applications and an incomplete environmental review.
› Pensacola metro area has lowest gas prices in state as costs surge
As gas prices jumped overnight across Florida following the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran that began Feb. 27, Pensacola is one of only two metro regions in the state with gas prices still under $3 a gallon as of Tuesday. The average price for regular gas rose 12.2 cents overnight to $2.859 in Pensacola on March 3. Tallahassee saw a 13-cent increase to $2.935. Statewide, gas prices in Florida jumped 18.5 cents on average overnight to $3.068 a gallon.
› SunRail weighs multimillion-dollar expansion
SunRail is exploring the purchase or lease of additional locomotives as it looks to expand service — including potential weekend runs — and bolster reliability across its train fleet, a move that could cost tens of millions of dollars. The commuter rail system is currently looking for more trains it can add to its fleet of 11 locomotives. Prior estimates shown to the SunRail Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission state the cost would be $61.8 million to buy three locomotives and three cab cars. Alternatively, it would be $3 million per year to lease three locomotives and $16.8 million to buy the cab cars.
› St. Pete advances $18M port lease referendum for tech hub expansion
St. Petersburg’s Economic and Workforce Development Committee voted unanimously Feb. 26 to advance a November 2026 referendum that would allow a long-term waterfront lease at the Port of St. Petersburg for expansion of the Maritime and Defense Technology Hub. Without voter approval, the project cannot secure the federal disaster mitigation funding and long-term financing needed to build the next phase.
More stories ...
› Coding, cafecito, and community: Get to know 5 groups powering Miami’s tech scene
Miami has been making national headlines lately, and it’s not for 80-degree winters. Some of tech’s biggest names keep pointing south as the best destination to build. For those who’ve been building here, none of this is surprising. Miami has been compounding momentum for years. And at the heart of that momentum are the communities making it happen.
› Jacksonville mortgage applications climb 25% as rates drop below 6% for first time in three years
After two years of elevated borrowing costs that slowed deals and sidelined buyers, Northeast Florida’s housing market is showing early signs of renewed momentum as mortgage applications begin climbing at local lenders. At Community First Credit Union of Florida, mortgage volume is already trending upward. Sam Inman, a chief executive officer and president of the Jacksonville-based credit union, said its mortgage pipeline increased more than 25% in 2025 compared to 2024.
› Itzhak Perlman headlines Orlando Philharmonic 2026-27 season
Classical-music superstar Itzhak Perlman will headline the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra‘s 2026-27 season with a special performance at its annual Rhapsody gala and concert. Perlman, 80, first rose to fame as a teenager in the 1950s through appearances on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” The virtuoso violinist has since been acclaimed worldwide for his skill and performed at countless significant occasions.
› Venice waterfront restaurant pays city $1.3M despite hurricanes
The Venice Pier Group paid the city of Venice about $1.34 million in rent and profit-sharing for its two pier-side restaurants. This payment occurred despite partial closures for renovations following the 2024 hurricane season. The restaurant group has paid the city over $1 million annually for the last four years as part of their public-private partnership.