Sticker shock? Florida gas prices keep climbing
Florida drivers saw a sharp jump in pump prices this week, with the state average increasing by more than 30 cents per gallon between Monday and Wednesday. AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said the recent geopolitical events have tightened exports and pushed oil higher. There are also seasonal patterns at work: rising travel for spring break and refineries switching to summer-blend gasoline, which can raise costs. More from Click Orlando and the Boca Raton Tribune.
Fewer venture capital dollars flowing to female-founded companies in South Florida
Female funding is not going in the right direction in South Florida. After a strong rebound in 2024, venture capital dollars flowing to female-founded companies in South Florida fell back sharply in 2025. This comes in a year when overall funding in South Florida was up 49% over 2024. The percentage share of female-founded deals and dollars in South Florida also lags the national trends. More from Refresh Miami.
Jacksonville working to pay off completion grants before next budget cycle
The city of Jacksonville is facing $44.61 million in completion grants for Downtown developments in the next fiscal year, including funding for Jaguars owner Shad Khan’s Shipyards project, which includes the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences near EverBank Stadium. City Council members and Mayor Donna Deegan's office are working on ways to pay the grants without dipping into reserves. More from the Jacksonville Daily Record.
Red Lobster weighs restaurant closures amid strategy pivot
As Red Lobster makes changes within its C-suite, the restaurant chain has also acknowledged it may close more locations and that its future growth may look different than before. On March 2, the Orlando-based company announced it hired two new executives who will report to CEO Damola Adamolekun. Red Lobster brought on Brad Hill — former CEO of P.F. Chang’s — as CFO and executive vice president of transformation. The company also tapped Kristen Briede to be chief global development officer, a role she formerly held at Steak 'n Shake. More from the Orlando Business Journal.
MarineMax votes to keep CEO amid bids to buy company
MarineMax CEO Brett McGill gets to keep his job, shareholders decided during a Tuesday board meeting — a contentious vote of confidence that comes amid calls for McGill’s ouster and bids from multiple investment firms interested in taking over the Oldsmar-based superyacht service. The public sparring match between MarineMax, shareholders and the company’s potential buyers began in February when California hedge fund Donerail Group made an unsolicited offer to buy the company for $1.1 billion in cash. More from the Business Observer.
St. Augustine | Ponte Vedra
With 42 miles of scenic Atlantic coastline, an array of extraordinary hotels and resorts, legendary golf, and a vibrant cultural scene, you won’t have to work hard to motivate your team for a meeting or group getaway in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches. Florida’s Historic Coast offers a seamless blend of Old World charm and modern sophistication, where centuries-old landmarks meet cutting-edge venues, and every gathering draws inspiration from the setting itself. [Sponsored report]
Event
Iconic Amelia Island auto auction evolves format for weekend event
The Amelia Concours d'Elegance returns to the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island from March 5 to 8 with more than 200 of the world's most historically significant, rare and exotic vehicles. Here, classic car insurer Hagerty will lean on what enthusiasts have come to expect for the past 30 years — all on display in one of Northeast Florida’s most scenic, oceanside locations — with some small, but notable changes to the schedule.
» More from Jacksonville Business Journal.
Florida Trend Exclusive
‘One Water’
Water industry veteran Gary Hubbard joined Winter Haven as water department director in 2018 as the city was updating its utility master plans. He gathered a representative from every city department to form an integrated water management team. It was among the first in Florida modeled after the One Water movement, a holistic approach to water management that treats all water — drinking water, wastewater, stormwater and recycled water — as a single, interconnected resource.
» Read more from Florida Trend.