Florida’s population soars past 23.3 million, among fastest-growing states
Growing faster than almost any other state, Florida’s estimated population topped 23.3 million people this year, according to data released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau. The Census Bureau estimated that Florida had 23,372,215 people as of July 1, up from 22,904,868 a year earlier. Florida’s increase of 467,347 people was second only to Texas, which gained 562,941. Also, Florida’s 2 percent growth rate trailed only the District of Columbia, which had a 2.2 percent rate, according to the Census Bureau. Texas and Utah each had 1.8 percent growth rates. More from the News Service of Florida.
Tourism brings $11.2 billion economic impact to Pinellas in 2024
According to Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, Pinellas County saw its highest ever economic impact from tourism dollars this year. President and CEO Brian Lowack said it totaled $11.2 billion, surpassing all previous years. Lowack said in 2024, that meant $6.4 billion in direct spending from 15.4 million visitors. The county saw about 300,000 more people stay overnight than last year for a total of 6.4 million hotel nights booked. More than $96 million was collected in bed tax. More from Bay News 9.
Florida is home to one of the fastest expanding small-business environments in the country
Florida is one of the most fertile states for small-business growth in America, according to a new study analyzing small-business development across the country. The research by OnDeck, a small-business loan website, found Florida was the third-best in the country for small-business growth. The study used U.S. Census data from 2020 and 2021 to compile the list. Florida experienced a 5.22% increase in small business in that time. That’s topped by only two other states, including Idaho at the top of the list with 6.55% small-business growth followed by Delaware at 5.55%. More from Florida Politics.
The behind-the-scenes story of the Florida state park scandal
Earlier this year, the sunbaked scrublands of Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Martin County had an unusual visitor: Jack Nicklaus, the hall-of-fame golfer who’s played with four presidents. Though Nicklaus only lives 30 minutes away in North Palm Beach, near a street that bears his name, he hadn’t made the trip for leisure. He had come to scope out the park land, his lawyer, Gene Stearns, confirmed — to see how he might design golf courses there. Nicklaus left satisfied, thinking it could be done. It would be months before the public learned of these plans, through a leak made by concerned employees of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Pasco will get $94 million, 228-unit affordable housing community
Minnesota-based affordable housing developer Dominium has bought a 15.6-acre parcel in Pasco County and plans to build 228 apartments. The property is at 2638 Aquaview Lane in Holiday and, according to county property records, was previously owned by Pasco’s school system. The property had been deemed surplus and was sold for $1 million, a schools spokesperson says in an email. The deal closed last week. More from the Business Observer.
Business Beat - Week of December 20th
Get the top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video news brief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Technology
High-tech Naples dry cleaning business presses forward on a big year
Naples-based Platinum Dry Cleaners got some big news in November, when it was named a Top 10 finalist for the 2024 CINET Global Best Practices Awards at the Texcare International Show in Frankfurt, Germany. Presented by the Comité International De L`Entretien du Textile (CINET) — the international umbrella association for the professional textile care industry — the awards honor innovation, sustainability, entrepreneurship and overall best practice excellence.
» Read more from the Business Observer.