Florida wages continue to grow
A new ADP report shows that wage growth has been rising in Florida over the past year, and the median salary continues to increase for workers who have stayed in their roles for a year or more. The data shows that workers in Florida who have stayed in their jobs for at least 12 months saw their wages rise by 4.7% compared to the same time last year, with a median annual salary of $52,100. [Source: Jacksonville Business Journal]
10 changes that will affect Florida healthcare in 2025
If there’s one issue that affects every Floridian, it’s healthcare. At some point, every Floridian likely will need to see a doctor, fill a prescription, seek emergency medical care, repair a muscle tear or broken bone, or seek treatment for a disease. In 2024, the state experienced developments in healthcare that will likely affect you in 2025. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Is Florida ready for a tsunami?
As if Florida needs another type of natural disaster to worry about. That said, scientists warned for decades a tsunami could jet our way at more than 500 mph. It's happened before. Few were around in 1755, though, to document the destruction. But if — some scientists say when — a Florida tsunami happens again, now with millions living so close to the coast, the consequences could be catastrophic. [Source: Florida Today]
Florida gas prices could dip in 2025
Florida motorists could see a slight decrease in gasoline costs in the coming year despite fuel markets facing continued geopolitical tensions, potential tariffs and changes in U.S. energy policies, according to a report issued Monday. In an annual outlook, Boston-based GasBuddy forecast that the price of a gallon of gas nationally will average $3.22 in 2025. Meanwhile, the average is expected to be from $3.12 a gallon to $3.51 in Florida. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Florida property insurers logged epic gains in 2024 in post-crisis rebound
Florida’s top property and casualty insurance carriers are finishing 2024 with their largest gains since an industry crisis in 2022 that nearly toppled the market and wiped out investor confidence in the process. Confidence in the Florida market is peaking despite the devastating 2024 hurricane season. Net underwriting profits dramatically improved over 2023 and into the first half of 2024. [Source: Tampa Bay Business Journal]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› What’s new for Florida cruises in 2025
The next vessel to take the title of world’s largest cruise ship is headed to Port Canaveral. Disney is sending a new ship to Port Everglades for the first time. And new ships will debut from Norwegian, MSC Cruises, Princess, Celebrity and more. These are some of the cruise highlights for Florida coming in 2025.
› Pinellas tourism booster taps a key market amid recovery efforts: Canadians
Pinellas County’s tourism booster has overhauled its seasonal marketing tactics to publicize that the beaches are back. Officials have spent the last few months focusing its campaign not on the typical Midwest and Northeast cities that drive visitation, but on Canada.
› Historic year: Jacksonville sees lowest number of homicides this century
Whether he's addressing the public about some senseless killing or holding someone accountable, Sheriff T.K. Waters consistently says "one life is too many." Well, in 2024 way fewer lives were taken abruptly in Jacksonville. So few that it's the lowest number at least in this century and likely much further back than that.
› Miami-Dade is 5th in the nation for highest office rents
Miami-Dade County had the fifth costliest office listings in the nation, a recently released report indicates. According to a report from CommercialEdge, a commercial real estate software application run by proptech company Yardi, Miami-Dade County is still a hot market with listed office rents in Miami-Dade at $52.94 per square foot in November, a 13.6% year-over-year increase.
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› Port Tampa Bay’s economic impact and jobs double
Port Tampa Bay, Florida’s largest and most cargo-diverse seaport, has a 34.6 billion dollar economic value on the local region and supports more than 192,000 total jobs. An economic impact report, published by Martin and Associates, industry leaders in maritime research, showed the port more than doubled the jobs supported by port activity and nearly doubled the total economic value supported by the port in the region.
› Orlando’s year in real estate for 2024: From blockbuster sales to backroom deals
Orlando’s red-hot real estate market cruised into overdrive for much of 2024 as developers turned out thousands of new homes, apartments, and hotel rooms — and big land deals promised much more construction to come. Some powerful trends stood out. Tourism continued to dominate much of the development landscape across Central Florida.
› South Florida-based airline files for bankruptcy. So what does it mean for travelers?
Relatively new, regional airline Silver Airways has announced it filed for bankruptcy — a decision the South Florida-based company claims will help it grow in the future but has left travelers wondering what will happen to their tickets. Silver Airways, formed in 2011 and headquartered in Hollywood, connects travelers to major cities in Florida, the Bahamas and other parts of the Caribbean.
› Jacksonville Armada buys 6.56 acres of vacant Downtown land for new stadium
As expected, the Jacksonville Armada Football Club bought 34 vacant properties Downtown totaling 6.56 acres from the city of Jacksonville on Dec. 20 for $1. Robert Palmer, Armada principle owner, acquired the land through Jax DowntownPro Real Estate LLC of Lake Mary.