One group is being spared from Florida’s immigration crackdown: companies
Gov. Ron DeSantis and state lawmakers weighed how to respond to President Donald Trump’s immigration orders, they considered everything from mandatory death penalties for migrants who are in the country illegally to barring them from receiving in-state college tuition. There’s one topic that was off the table, though: Going after the companies hiring them. More from the Tampa Bay Times and the Miami Herald.
Business Beat - Week of February 14th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
How AI is changing Florida oyster farming
For an oyster farmer, says Cypress Point owner Dewey Houck, three questions are always top of mind: How many oysters do I have, how big are they, and when will they be ready to harvest? Traditionally, getting those answers meant putting hours of manual labor into weighing bags and counting individual oysters. Houck—who retired to Florida to be closer to family and opened Cypress Point with his wife, Jody, in 2019—does things a little differently. [Source: Gun & Garden]
Roses are red, violets are blue, 940 million flowers are traveling (through Miami) to you
If any husbands or boyfriends mess up Valentine’s Day this week, it’s not because of a shortage of flowers. In the run up to Feb. 14, agricultural specialists at Miami International Airport have processed about 940 million stems of cut flowers, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Around 90% of the fresh cut flowers being sold for Valentine’s Day in the United States come through Miami, while the other 10% pass through Los Angeles. [Source: AP]
Federal aid still flows to small businesses but Florida firms are wary of cloudy future
Amid President Donald Trump’s scorching review of federal agencies, the Small Business Administration. a key partner in the success of Florida entrepreneurs, is still providing loan guarantees and disaster relief to those who qualify, according to bankers and businessmen who interact with the agency. But uncertainties have shaken a business world that prefers certainty over doubt, and clarity over uncharted change. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
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ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Miami Digital Real Estate Summit explores digital twins as key to climate-resilient cities
The summit, produced by Magma and Logos Capital with a number of supporters, brought together 150 leaders from the tech industry, government and the community at the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science on Tuesday to discuss how digital twin technology could be the key to creating a smart city model and artificial intelligence-driven improvement plan for the county.
› Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, with major Space Coast presence, to lay off 10% of workforce
Jeff Bezos’ space company Blue Origin told employees Thursday it would lay off about 10% of its workforce. The company has more than 10,000 employees, with a major presence on the Space Coast at its rocket factory adjacent Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex where it constructs its New Glenn rocket. The rocket had a successful debut launch last month. The number of positions that would be affected in Florida was not announced.
› St. Pete Beach City Commission erupts in fiery exchange between pro-business and anti-development commissioners
A St. Pete Beach City Commission discussion about a noise ordinance turned into a fiery exchange between two commissioners who disagree on how to handle business and development issues. The commission will reconsider a noise ordinance after backlash from business owners and musicians who turned out by the dozens on Tuesday to protest the policy.
› Downtown Jacksonville coffee shops react to Starbucks' pending arrival amid revitalization efforts
Downtown Jacksonville’s push for revitalization just landed a marquee tenant: Starbucks. The global coffee giant is set to occupy a prime space in the Bank of America Tower as part of Group RMC’s latest redevelopment efforts. For developers, it’s a win — another sign of big-name confidence in the city’s core. But for some local business owners, it’s a bitter pill to swallow.
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› Florida again shark attack capital of the world with most shark bites in 2024
Florida is once again tops in the world for the number of unprovoked shark bites, even as the overall number of attacks declined in 2024. An annual report by the International Shark Attack File (ISAF) shows 47 confirmed unprovoked shark bites globally, significantly lower than the average 64 annually over the previous five years.
› Israel’s Catalyst Investors’ Club platform eyes Miami to expand across the Americas
An online platform that helps tech startups get funding from individual investors is looking to set up in Miami to expand its reach across the Americas. Israel-based Catalyst Investors’ Club, known as CIC, lets accredited investors join funding rounds led by Venture Capital (VC) groups to finance later-stage startups. The individuals can co-invest, sometimes as little as $25,000, in tech companies that already have international sales.
› New park president set for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Jeff Davis has been named park president of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay theme park. He comes to Florida from a role as park president at SeaWorld San Antonio. “I’m thrilled for the opportunity to lead the team at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay as we make significant investments in the park to improve the infrastructure, operations and overall park experience for our guests,” Davis said in a news release.
› Downtown Pensacola outdoor bathrooms could be delayed again over cost concerns
Is nearly a half-million dollars too expensive to install the water and sewer connections and pour concrete pads for three Portland Loos? Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves thinks so. Reeves said he was looking at options after a round of bids to install the three outdoor restrooms, called Portland Loos, came in far over the city’s expectations for what it should cost.