Small business group sets agenda for legislative session
Florida’s legislative session is in full swing and the National Federation of Independent Business, the state’s leading small business advocacy non-profit organization, is pitching a changeup to lawmakers. Its priorities for the session are centralized around taxes impacting small business owners and general commerce issues, among others. The organization wants lawmakers to eliminate the “Business Rent Tax,” where business owners who lease their business space pay a tax on the rent. More from Jacksonville Business Journal.
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» Associated Industries of Florida legislative priorities include tax cuts, ‘safe’ offshore drilling
An East Tampa project promises to bring jobs and housing to an overlooked neighborhood
The Tampa Bay Economic Development Council, along with the city of Tampa and other partners, is leading a new project to improve economic conditions in East Tampa. The estimated $80 million proposal is expected to bring affordable housing, a vocational training center, business space and infrastructure improvements to the industrial district by 2027. The housing and job-training aspects will be combined on one site — in what’s being called a “live-learn community.” More from WUSF.
Tariffs spark warehouse demand in South Florida
South Florida's industrial sector is showing signs of heating up once again as companies make inquiries about opening new warehouse and manufacturing facilities in South Florida. And the stock piling of supplies in relation to new tariffs from the Trump Administration may be part of it. More from the South Florida Business Journal.
First Watch passes $1 billion in revenue
A dining company based in East Manatee County has passed $1 billion in annual revenue for the first time. First Watch hit the revenue milestone at the end of 2024, company officials announced on a March 11 earnings call. Its 2023 revenue was $891.6 million, so revenue growth was more than 13% last year. More from the Business Observer.
Immerse festival injects $1.5M into Orlando’s creative economy
A payout of $1.5 million went to local artists, vendors and event professionals involved with the weekend festival Immerse held Feb. 20-22, according to Cole NeSmith, the event’s founder and creative director. Immerse Orlando is an annual, large-scale performing and interactive arts event which takes over downtown for a full weekend and is produced by the nonprofit Creative City Project. More from WFTV.
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Out of the Box
‘Conveyor belt’ sushi restaurant rolling into Ponte Vedra Beach
Nara Revolving Sushi Bar plans to open a restaurant in Ponte Vedra Beach. The project cost is $185,733. The restaurant concept, common in Japan, allows diners to sit at a counter and pluck sushi plates traveling by in a continuous loop on a conveyor belt. It is the first Florida location for Nara Revolving Sushi Bar of Pooler, Georgia, a suburb of Savannah.
» More from the Jacksonville Daily Record.
Business Profile
As Joann closes, this viral Tampa Bay secondhand craft store is expanding
Bottom of the Bin buys excess supplies, like scrapbooking materials and excess fabric, in exchange for store credit. While Joann Fabric and Crafts stores close across the country, Bottom of the Bin is growing. Stephanie Christou, who previously ran a secondhand store for alternative fashions, said her approach is based in sustainability. Her strategy of pricing items for a fraction of the typical price helps volume move through the building fast — and keeps shoppers returning to check out constantly changing stock.
» Read more from the Tampa Bay Times.