Florida’s Citizens reset could drive surge in private-market submissions
Florida’s plan to narrow eligibility for the state-backed insurer of last resort is expected to push some commercial property risks back into the private insurance market. The shift, tied to proposed reforms in Florida, could significantly reshape how commercial property risks are placed in the state. Sean Lorey, vice president and property broker at Jencap, said wholesale brokers and their retail partners are already preparing for a surge in submissions if the changes proceed as expected. More from Insurance Business Magazine.
Tampa Bay Tech Week to showcase growing tech ecosystem
The goal of a new event launching this spring is to place Tampa Bay more firmly on the national technology map. The first annual Tampa Bay Tech Week, not to be confused with the long standing tech community Tampa Bay Tech, will take place April 8-10 across the bay area. Organizers describe it not as a traditional conference, but as a decentralized, community-driven effort to highlight the region’s growing technology sector. More from the St. Pete Catalyst.
Miami ranks among top U.S. cities for women-owned businesses
Miami has been ranked among the top cities in the United States for women-owned businesses, underscoring its growing reputation as a hub for female entrepreneurship. In a new study released for International Women’s Month, CoworkingCafe placed Miami at No. 6 among the largest U.S. metropolitan areas, citing strong business formation rates, workforce participation, and economic growth. More from Caribbean National Weekly.
Brevard considers $5 million land deal near Barefoot Bay for water plants
Brevard County is considering a $5 million land purchase for new water and sewer plants. The new facilities are needed to comply with state and federal water quality regulations. These regulations aim to eliminate certain surface water discharges and limit PFAS "forever chemicals." The total Barefoot Bay project cost, excluding land, is estimated to be between $55 million and $65 million. More from Florida Today.
Experts say Southwest Florida housing market correction underway
As Southwest Florida’s real estate market recalibrates after peaking in 2022, three industry experts told a packed audience that the region’s current downturn is far from a crash. About 1,300 real estate and development professionals filled the Calusa Sound Convention Center in downtown Fort Myers on March 12 to hear Justin Thibaut, Denny Grimes and Matt Simmons present their 2026 Market Trends outlook under the theme Data over Drama. More from Gulfshore Business.
Business Profile
‘Everybody’s a VIP’: This local steakhouse chain is Miami’s place to celebrate
Founded by Cuban-born chef and entrepreneur Aldo Espinosa, El Toro Loco Steakhouses have become unofficial gathering spots for Miami. The brand may have started as a single food truck, but it’s now a sprawling massive empire with five restaurants, five food trucks, a ranch in South Dade, a home-and-design branch that exclusively creates furniture for the restaurants and a Spanish-language lifestyle TV show on MegaTV
» More from the Miami Herald.
Florida Trend Exclusive
From the ruins
There's no shortage of websites and YouTube channels where "urban explorers" wander around in creepy-looking abandoned places. Abandoned factories. Abandoned hospitals. Abandoned amusement parks. In the Orlando area, their favorite place is the Orlando Sun Resort and Convention Center, which has been abandoned and in severe disrepair since it closed in 2012. Now an experienced and deep-pocketed developer is taking a crack at redeveloping it.
» Read more from Florida Trend.