Florida was the top vacation destination for the 6th year. Will it last?
For the sixth year in a row, Florida was the No. 1 travel destination for Americans, according to a release from the governor's office. When U.S. citizens took a vacation last year, 15.5% of them came to the Sunshine State. However, U.S. government statistics show the number of Canadians crossing the border dropped 12.5% in February compared with 2024, with a particularly sharp fall-off in drivers, down more than 15% compared with last year. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
PSC breaks ground on $16 million aviation mechanic training facility at Pensacola airport
PSC's Aviation Airframe and Powerplant Mechanics program instructs students to inspect, service and repair and overhaul various aircraft powerplant systems and components. Funding for the new facility is from numerous sources, including the Florida Department of Commerce, Triumph Gulf Coast, the Santa Rosa County Economic Development, ST Engineering and collaboration with the city of Pensacola and the Pensacola International Airport Authority. More from the Pensacola News Journal.
UF official: Jacksonville campus to offer AI program that will be first of its type in Florida
A program that merges artificial intelligence with the medical field will be among the offerings at the University of Florida’s Jacksonville graduate campus, a UF official told a Jacksonville civic organization April 7. Spencer Moore, director of external affairs in UF’s Office for Strategic Initiatives, said the university’s programs would include a master of AI, biomedical and health science that involves use of the advanced technology to diagnose, treat and prevent illnesses. More from the Jacksonville Daily Record.
Spirit and CEO Ted Christie part company, leaving committee in charge of airline
Spirit Airlines CEO Ted Christie, who led the pioneering discount carrier as it navigated a Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring, multiple takeover bids and efforts to make the airline more customer friendly, has stepped down from his post after 13 years with the company, officials announced Monday. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Amerant Bank construction loans spike over 60% in a year
Amerant Bank's full annual earnings report revealed that its commercial real estate construction and land financing jumped over 60%, an increase of more than $180 million in just one year. The Coral Gables-based bank reported overall growth in its CRE loan portfolio, particularly in development financing, office and hospitality asset classes. Amerant's construction and land loans rose to $483.2 million last year, up from $300.4 million in 2023 – the largest annual increase in recent years. More from the South Florida Business Journal.
Real Estate
St. Petersburg home where Babe Ruth lived is on the market for $1.86 million
A 1920s home that once served as a spring training getaway for baseball legend Babe Ruth is for sale in St. Petersburg’s Old Northeast neighborhood. The home was built in 1924. It was owned at one point by George Gandy Sr., the man who built the Gandy bridge. In 1935, Babe Ruth rented the property while he was in town for spring training.
» More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Profile
Terra firma
David Martin, in his stylish gold-rimmed glasses and Prado sweater, comes off more as artsy designer than as one of Miami’s most prominent and prolific developers, a 47-year-old mover of much concrete with $14 billion in projects in the pipeline — and a bookcase secret door in his office. The $14 billion includes some of the biggest projects in his Terra Group’s quarter-century in business.
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