Florida businesses set record $78.9 billion in export sales in 2025
Florida businesses exported a record $78.9 billion in goods in 2025, up $6.4 billion, or 8.9%, from 2024, according to an announcement this week from FloridaCommerce and SelectFlorida. State officials said the total marked the largest export sales year in Florida history and extended growth seen over the longer term, with exports rising $21.6 billion, or 37.8%, since 2018. Manufactured goods accounted for the vast majority of those sales. More from The Capitolist and Florida Trend.
Italian aerospace firm invests $25M in new Space Coast facility
An Italian aerospace manufacturer is investing more than $25 million to open a new facility in Brevard County, expanding the region’s fast-growing space industry. Argotec, a business focused on small satellite production and astronaut comfort solutions, is opening a manufacturing and office facility. Blue Origin, Amazon and other major companies are simultaneously expanding manufacturing operations in Brevard County. More from the Orlando Business Journal.
South Florida’s GroceryList expands by digitizing shopping in the Caribbean
GroceryList provides online grocery shopping and delivery in Jamaica and now lets customers buy from pharmacies, pet shops and other businesses in the largest English-speaking nation in the Caribbean. It also supplies merchandise to Jamaican stores, buying from wholesalers in South Florida and delivering goods to shops across the island. In 2025, annual revenues exceeded $3 million for the first time. More from Refresh Miami.
St. Petersburg Innovation District celebrates milestone anniversary
The St. Petersburg Innovation District will be celebrating its 10th anniversary next week. Formed as a public-private partnership, the organization was created to foster collaboration among scientists, educators, doctors, entrepreneurs, artists and community members. Since the district’s launch, it has generated more than $3 billion in economic impact. More from the St. Pete Catalyst.
JTA exploring citywide deployment of autonomous vehicles
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority has begun seeking proposals for a pilot program that could include retrofitting JTA buses and passenger vehicles with autonomous technology, an early indication of interest in expanding self-driving public transit beyond Downtown. In the request for proposals, filed as P-26-014, JTA says it “is soliciting innovative technology solutions through a structured Test & Learn Research & Development (R&D) program. More from the Jacksonville Daily Record.
5 steps to avoid litigation before a contract’s signed
Corporate litigators are known for skillfully and persuasively advocating on behalf of their clients. Yet their greatest achievement is often preventing disputes from ever reaching a courtroom or mediation table. Well-drafted and reviewed documents, saying little in digital correspondence that could later be construed as terms of an agreement, and keeping the legal team advised of potential issues can help avoid situations that could spark litigation. [Sponsored report]
Business Beat - Week of April 3rd
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Human first
At Stetson University, MBA program innovation begins with a simple premise: Technology matters, but people matter more. "With AI, it's important to remember the human element," says Randall Croom, associate professor of management. That belief has driven an expansion of human-centered offerings across Stetson's business programs. In recent years, the university elevated human resources from an undergraduate minor to a major, then launched a new HR concentration for MBA students in 2025
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