Florida Trend Exclusive
Hard push on soft skills
When the Florida Chamber of Commerce asked employers about hiring issues in 2024, nearly 90% said they struggled to find qualified candidates. Challenges with soft skills were among their biggest concerns. The Chamber's Workforce Needs Study 2.0 calls soft skills "the foundation of employability." Soft skills refer to everything from general communication ability and making eye contact to time management, problem-solving and beefing up one's networking skills. [Source: Florida Trend]
Amid stark opposition, data center developers think twice about Florida
Florida’s pro-business aura and the AI-driven data center boom across the South seem like a perfect match on paper. The only problem: Communities statewide are not on board. At least 20 Sunshine State counties and municipalities have passed or discussed a temporary — and, in some cases, permanent — moratorium on data centers. In many others, residents have packed local commission meetings armed with T-shirts, signs and petitions urging elected officials to restrict data center projects. [Source: E&E News]
120+ new Florida laws start July 1
There are more than 120 new Florida laws going into effect on Wednesday, July 1. Penalties for child abuse and domestic violence will get harsher, the state will be able to designate foreign and domestic terrorist organizations, it will be much easier for teacher, nurse, and government worker unions to be shut down, affordable housing will be included under the Florida Fair Housing Act, buying dogs and cats will get more protections, and the state animal abuse database will get a lot more details. [Source: Tallahassee Democrat]
DeSantis cools to property tax plan, says he won’t campaign for it
After spending the last year talking about eliminating or cutting Floridians’ property taxes, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday that he won’t campaign to help pass an amendment on the ballot that he first proposed. That’s because the Legislature didn’t pass his amendment exactly as he wanted it, he said at a Tampa news conference. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
See the full list of what DeSantis rejected from the state budget
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the 2026-2027 state budget Monday, vetoing about $800 million worth of items proposed by lawmakers. “I’m not trying to set a veto record,” DeSantis said. “I already did set that record.” In the decade before DeSantis assumed office, no governor vetoed more than $2.5 billion in their entire tenure, he said. In 2022 alone, he rejected $3.1 billion. (Technically, the largest veto was in 2017 by then-Gov. Rick Scott, when he vetoed the $11.5 billion education budget.) [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Southwest cuts 43 nonstop Florida routes
A recent report claims Southwest Airlines is cutting 43 nonstop routes to Florida. Southwest Airlines states the routes were seasonal and never intended to be permanent fixtures. The airline says it has actually grown its Orlando operation and added other new and returning seasonal routes.
› Jungle Queen tourist attraction sold to South Florida entrepreneur, who will keep the iconic boat afloat
The venerable Jungle Queen, one of Fort Lauderdale’s longest running tourist attractions, has been sold to a Miami-based entrepreneur who pledges to keep the venerable riverboat operation running. “I have a deep love and appreciation for historic businesses like the Jungle Queen,” Miami businessman Bill Fuller said in a Monday statement announcing the acquisition. “These places become part of a community’s identity. They hold memories that span generations, and with that comes a tremendous responsibility."
› St. Pete Commerce Park redevelopment proposals range from innovation hub to boutique hotel
Affordable housing, a mixed-use innovation district anchored by Ark Invest and a boutique hotel are some options St. Petersburg officials will weigh for the redevelopment of Commerce Park. The city posted a request for proposals in early April, seeking a developer to transform the 3-acre city-owned property in the northern section of the Deuces along 22nd Street South into a mixed-use development with mixed-income housing.
› Enkei closing Jacksonville wheel plant
Enkei America Inc. filed a notice with the state saying it is closing its North Jacksonville wheelmaking plant, resulting in the layoff of 62 employees. Japan-based Enkei Corp. was founded in 1950 and describes itself on its website as “the number one aluminum wheel manufacturer to satisfy demand from leading automakers and aftermarket wheel users around the world.”
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› Sarasota named a top Florida road trip stop for summer travelers
Sarasota may have more visitors this summer, coming by car, van and RV, as the city was ranked highly for road trip stops in Florida. The survey conducted by RV Windshield Replacement found the route from Tampa to Everglades City via Sarasota to be No. 2 in the state.
› This South Miami chocolate shop was just named one of the best in the country
Venezuelan-born sisters Isabel and Susana Garcia Nevett, both certified chocolate tasters, started the business in 2012 like so many budding entrepreneurs in Miami: In a home kitchen (in this case, Susana’s). They had a chocolate business back in Caracas, and, as Isabel Garcia says, hoped to introduce Miami to their passion: single-origin Venezuelan cacao.
› Feds could owe landowners for Seminole Gulf rail trail property
The federal government may be responsible for compensating some landowners adjacent to the proposed 11.4-mile Bonita Estero Rail Trail, if the project set along an old unused railway corridor moves forward as expected. A select group of landowners may still have ownership rights to parts of the old corridor under easement agreements dating back to the late 1800s and early 1900s when the land was first acquired for railroad use, rail-trail conversion experts said.
› West Palm Beach business collects items to help Venezuela after deadly earthquakes
As aid continues to arrive in Venezuela following the recent earthquakes, people in South Florida are stepping up to help from home. Across the region, donation drives are collecting baby formula, medical supplies, nonperishable food and other essentials for families affected by the disaster.