Florida economy ranks among world’s top 15
Economic authorities say Florida’s economy is not only growing but thriving, with the state ranking as a top-15 economy in the world according to the Florida Chamber of Commerce. The chamber report shows Florida is the number one state for new business startups. In Bay County, economic officials with the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce say growth has accelerated since the pandemic. [Source: WTVY]
Florida Trend Exclusive
Training executives
At the University of West Florida, the Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business is expanding its MBA portfolio to meet the needs of experienced professionals and an evolving workforce. Central to that evolution is the new Executive MBA: Leadership Practice and Purpose program. "The EMBA was introduced to better serve professionals looking for an advanced, leadership-focused graduate experience," says Mikayla Yates, a senior communications manager at UWF. [Source: Florida Trend]
Opinion: Florida took on lawsuit abuse. Drivers are finally seeing results
For years, Florida drivers opened their auto insurance renewal notices with dread. Premiums kept climbing and families across the state were left wondering why their costs were rising faster than almost anywhere else in the country. But something important has happened over the last two years: the trend is finally beginning to reverse. Recent data from Florida regulators shows that the state’s largest auto insurers, including Progressive, GEICO, State Farm, Allstate and USAA, are now indicating an average rate decrease of about 8% for 2026, covering nearly 80% of the state’s auto insurance market. [Source: South Florida Sun Sentinel]
Florida exports hit record $78.9B in 2025
Florida businesses exported a record $78.9 billion in goods in 2025, an 8.9% increase from 2024, according to the state Department of Commerce and SelectFlorida. Manufactured products accounted for 92% of exports, totaling about $72.2 billion. Top export categories included $12.8 billion in civilian aircraft and parts, $5.7 billion in telecommunications equipment, such as phones, $3.6 billion in pharmaceuticals, and $2.4 billion each in turbojets and gas turbines and automobiles. [Source: Gulfshore Business]
Florida renters face highest housing costs in the U.S.
Housing costs in Florida are considered the worst in the nation for renters, according to a new report. Residents in the state spend an average of 37.4% of their income on housing, the highest rate in the United States. According to ConsumerAffairs, Florida ranked 50th based on rent prices, availability, tenant protections, and quality of life. [Source: My Panhandle]
Secretary Emil Michael to headline 2026 eMerge Americas as conference unveils programming highlights
eMerge Americas today announced that Emil Michael, Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering at the Department of War, will headline the 12th annual eMerge Americas Conference + Expo, taking place April 22–24, 2026, at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Michael's keynote underscores the continued growth of eMerge Americas' national security programming, as the event brings together global leaders across defense, government, technology, investment, and entrepreneurship. [Sponsored report]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› February was the 11th record month for tourist taxes in Orange County
Orange County’s record run of tourist tax collections stretched to 11 consecutive months with February’s receipts totaling $38.1 million, the most ever for a February, Comptroller Phil Diamond announced Monday. The total was $2.68 million better than in February 2025, said Diamond, whose office tracks collections and spending of revenue from the Tourist Development Tax, or TDT, a 6% surcharge on the cost of a hotel room and other lodging options including an Airbnb or VRBO home-sharing rentals.
› Pinellas weighs repeal of Jabil tax break
Pinellas County commissioners will consider revoking a tax exemption granted to Jabil Inc. after the company asked to exit an incentive tied to a St. Petersburg facility. The proposed ordinance would repeal a 2020 approval that provided a 100% ad valorem tax exemption on improvements and equipment at Jabil’s Phase I site at 10900 Roosevelt Blvd. N. The incentive applied only to that property, not Jabil’s broader operations in Pinellas County.
› Miami fintech files for bankruptcy with millions in debts
A Miami-based fintech that provides payment processing services to business owners has declared bankruptcy with millions of dollars in debts. Pepper Pay LLC filed for Chapter 7 liquidation March 31, listing more than $665,000 in assets and over $3.4 million in liabilities. According to the company's bankruptcy petition, it has just over $600,000 held across various accounts with banks including Evolve Bank, Esquire Bank, Bluevine and Truist Bank. Additional assets include roughly $40,000 in accounts receivable and $20,000 in equipment.
› Meet the fastest-growing companies in Jacksonville
Inc. recently published its 2026 Inc. Regionals list, honoring the fastest-growing privately held companies while underscoring their role as economic powerhouses in their home regions. This year, nine companies from the Jacksonville, Florida, metropolitan area (which also includes St. Augustine) were named among the Southeast regional honorees. Each company is ranked by its annual revenue growth over a two-year period, from 2022 to 2024.
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› Tampa’s iconic ‘beer can building’ has a new owner
Rivergate Tower, nicknamed the “beer can building” for its cylindrical shape, is getting a new owner ― and $8 million in upgrades. Tampa-based Ally Capital Group announced on Monday that it is partnering with the building’s current owner, Miami-based Banyan Street Capital, to revamp the office tower. The exact terms were not disclosed and the transaction has not yet been recorded with the Hillsborough County clerk of courts.
› Sarasota condo offers buyers free golf club membership to drive sales
Developers of the Saravela condominium tower in downtown Sarasota have struck a partnership with Heritage Golf Group that adds country club access to buyers and extends the project’s reach to a national base of second-home buyers. Chicago-based GSP Development will offer buyers at the planned 18-story tower a one-year complimentary sports membership at TPC Prestancia, a private golf and social club in Sarasota that is part of the TPC network.
› Seminole moves forward with new $160M administration building
After fits and starts over the decades, Seminole County is finally moving forward in its goal of transferring its hundreds of administrative employees from an old hospital in downtown Sanford to a brand-new structure near Lake Mary. Last month, the county unveiled architectural renderings of what the new multi-story, 155,000-square-foot building facing U.S. Highway 17-92 will look like when completed by spring 2028. Construction on the $160-million project at the county’s Five Points Complex is expected to begin in September.
› Mango’s CEO lists sprawling Miami-Dade ‘tropical farm’ for $18M. Take a tour
Miami’s waterfront may be getting all the buzz, with billionaires moving into Coconut Grove and Indian Creek. But a sprawling South Miami-Dade estate listed for $18 million shows there’s impressive real estate inland, too. David Wallack, CEO of the longtime South Beach restaurant and nightclub Mango’s Tropical Cafe, is selling his “tropical farm” Breezy Oaks.