Industry analysis: Florida airports among the least expensive
Several airports in Florida rank among the most affordable places for air travel despite mounting industry pressures, like spikes in jet fuel prices and operational costs. Travel website Upgraded Points analyzed federal transportation data and found that, among large airports, Tampa, Orlando, Miami and Fort Lauderdale were among the cheapest to fly into and out of. More from the St. Pete Catalyst.
FEC blocks Brightline plans for Stuart station, but rail line 'remains committed' to project
Plans to build a Brightline station in Stuart appear to have hit a major roadblock after the Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) said it does not support a Brightline station in the city. “Specifically, FEC cannot support any station that would result in the existing Stuart bridge being down in violation of USGC rules,” Robert B. Ledoux, FEC’s lawyer, told the city in the letter. The USCG is the United States Coast Guard. More from WPBF and WPTV.
Orange County’s March tourist-tax collections ‘rewrote the record books’
March is almost always good for tourism in Central Florida but it was never as fabulous as it was this year. Comptroller Phil Diamond — whose office tracks collection and spending of Orange County’s tourist tax, widely seen as a barometer of the health of the tourism market — indicated Tuesday that receipts would continue the surge that began last April. He texted one word to a reporter asking about the numbers: “Blockbuster.” On Wednesday, he confirmed in a news release that March “didn’t just set a new monthly high—it rewrote the record books.” More from the Orlando Sentinel.
SouthState Bank N.A. coming to downtown Winter Haven
SouthState Bank N.A. and Winter Haven developer Six/Ten LLC announced a major development for downtown Winter Haven that includes: (1) the construction of a new five story, 40,000 square foot office building on Central Avenue, and (2) the relocation of the bank's approximately 125 Winter Haven Operations Center employees to the new building in the heart of the urban center. More from Florida Trend.
‘Demand is growing:’ Plantation lab ramps up stem-cell production
Inside a pristine laboratory at GBI Biomanufacturing in Plantation, stem-cell production ramps up, producing regenerative medicine with the potential to repair a torn rotator cuff, deep skin tear or an arthritic knee. The escalation comes as the outlook for stem-cell therapies in Florida grows, driven by a new law that widens the path for doctors to use them to manage pain or treat orthopedic injuries and wounds. More from the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Out of the Box
Mess Fest: It could get ugly, educational at science center
They’re planning on making a big mess at Orlando Science Center this weekend, and they’re planning on making it educational. The stage is set for the eighth edition of Mess Fest, two days of sloppy experiments. The event has been known for big foamy outdoor explosions and the smashing of watermelons, in a sort of nerdy Gallagher style. But there are fresh hands-on activities planned as well, said Zachary Mailhot, science programming specialist at the Loch Haven Park museum.
» More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Sports Business
Jacksonville-based UpShot League says it will start play with $40 million in investment
The Jacksonville-based UpShot League of professional women’s basketball teams is set to begin play May 15 with $40 million in investments, the league said May 6. During a news conference, league co-founder Andy Kaufmann said the league had attracted 90 investors and financial partners for its inaugural season. Formation of the league was announced in January 2025 by Zawyer Sports & Entertainment, which owns, operates and manages the league.
» Read more from the Jacksonville Daily Record.