Florida consumer sentiment falls in March marking first drop of 2026
Florida consumer sentiment fell in March for the first time in 2026, declining one point as national sentiment also dropped and concerns about the broader economy increased. Floridians reported mixed views, with improved personal financial outlooks but a sharp decline in willingness to make major purchases such as household items. Weaker spending intentions, a softening labor market and geopolitical tensions driving higher energy costs are contributing to growing economic uncertainty among consumers. [Source: UF News]
Florida Trend Exclusive
Uncoding leadership
At Rollins College's Roy E. Crummer Graduate School of Business, Keenan Yoho, professor of operations management, approaches MBA education with a deliberately contrarian mindset. "A central question I ask myself," he says, "is what can I do well that does not scale?" For Yoho, Rollins' small size is a strategic advantage — one that allows for rich, hands-on learning experiences designed for cohorts of 30 students or fewer. That philosophy is embedded in the MBA curriculum, beginning with design thinking, which Rollins was among the first MBA programs in the U.S. to make a core requirement. [Source: Florida Trend]
Flamingo revival
When Audubon Florida’s celebrated ornithologist, Jerome Lorenz, began studying wading birds and focusing on flamingos more than 35 years ago, there were none. None, at least, nesting in the Florida wild, where once they thrived. But that may be about to change, if it hasn’t already. Citizen scientists and ornithologists alike spot them with infrequent regularity in and around Florida Bay nowadays. The excitement is so compelling that the state’s 120 representatives voted 112-1 finally to declare the American flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) Florida’s state bird in the legislative session that concluded March 13, replacing the mockingbird with that honor. [Source: Florida Weekly]
Why is FEMA a no-show at the National Hurricane Conference in Florida?
More than 1,900 people are participating in the National Hurricane Conference in Orlando this week, but the internationally attended gathering is missing a key partner — the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The absence of FEMA representatives contributed to the cancellation of a dozen scheduled hurricane-related classes and workshops including credit-earning seminars for those in the emergency management field. [Source: Palm Beach Post]
Cities with the fastest-growing home prices in Florida
The real estate frenzy spurred by the coronavirus pandemic continues, though at a slower pace. Buyers are still competing for a limited supply of housing, driving up prices for affordable properties. The typical home value in the United States was $361,371 in February, 0.4% higher than the year before. Increasing mortgage rates have slowed growth, with prices even declining in some places. But some areas are still seeing price jumps compared to the year before. [Source: Miami Herald]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› JEA starts process for rate increase on customer bills
Another round of electric, water and sewer rate increases is in the works for JEA customers. The utility's staff told the board at its March 31 meeting that JEA needs an 8% increase in revenue from residential customers on the base rate portion of the electric bill. On the water and sewer side, the study shows JEA needs to raise revenue from residential customers by 6%.
› New Orlando Health mobile clinic brings maternity care to places where its scarce
A new mobile maternity clinic, launched by Orlando Health Women’s Institute, will begin seeing patients April 1. The clinic aims to bring comprehensive maternal health services directly to pregnant and postpartum women who have a difficult time finding care. The clinic offers a wide range of services, including routine prenatal visits, ultrasounds and health screenings for conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.
› South Florida bank to close all branches, move to digital-only model
A Miami-based bank is moving to a fully digital model following the growth of its online platform launched two years ago. Intercredit Bank said it will transition to a digital-first banking model under its Pibank brand, consolidating operations as it phases out its traditional branch network. Pibank launched in the U.S. in 2024 and has surpassed $2 billion in assets, a milestone the bank said reflects strong demand for its platform.
› Tampa chef named James Beard Award finalist for first time in years
The Tampa Bay area has a finalist for the James Beard Foundation’s prestigious culinary awards for the first time in years. The organization on Tuesday revealed the chefs, restaurants, bars and hospitality professionals who moved on to the next round. Bryce Bonsack of Tampa’s Rocca scored finalist status in the Best Chef: South category. With a Michelin star and more Tampa restaurants in development from his Tastes Pretty Good group, Bonsack will compete against Maria La Mota and Chason Spencer of Jacksonville’s Chancho King, an Ecuadorian-inspired diner, and chefs from New Orleans and Rogers, Arkansas.
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› Is the boom over? Population growth slowing down across Treasure Coast
Population growth in Port St. Lucie, once the fifth-fastest-growing metropolitan area in the nation, slowed during 2024-2025, according to a recent U.S. Census report, dropping the city to the 14th-fastest-growing metro area. The Port St. Lucie metro area, which includes Martin and St. Lucie counties, grew by 2.14% last year, according to U.S. Census data. It's the lowest annual percent growth since the post-pandemic population boom, which has averaged 3%.
› Brightline ridership grows as South Florida ticket fares shrink while it gets more time to pay its debt
Brightline trains carried almost 10,000 passengers on the average day in February. That’s a new record as ridership between its five stations in South Florida jumped thanks to a sharp drop in average fares. Long distance trips between South Florida and Orlando, however, remain the main driver of revenue as Brightline works to be a transportation alternative to driving on I-95 or the Florida Turnpike.
› Global tech company to cut 120 Orlando jobs
A multinational IT services firm will cut jobs in Orlando. HCL America Inc. — part of HCLTech — said in a March 27 Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act letter it would cut 120 jobs tied to a client worksite at 9002 San Marco Court, Orlando. The letter said the layoffs would be permanent. The layoffs will start May 29 and go through Dec. 31, with three jobs to be laid off Jan. 31, 2027, and one more Feb. 18, 2027. Impacted jobs include senior process managers, senior service delivery managers and portfolio delivery heads, according to the letter.
› This Palm Beach County city's crime isn't scaring away luxury growth
Three years into Michael Coleman's stint as Riviera Beach police chief, violent crime and property crime are down sharply in the city, mirroring trends in cities across the country. Erasing the city's reputation as a place plagued by high crime is key to its hopes of attracting developers who would provide the type of high-end amenities other coastal locations have in abundance.