SPOTLIGHT
Central Florida tech firms have a new “one-stop shop” for growth in downtown Orlando. Officials and business leaders celebrated the opening of Tech Hub Orlando, a multifaceted resource for startups and established companies, bringing together prominent entrepreneurial incubators and specialists to provide a broad spectrum of services.
The site is led by the University of Central Florida’s Business Incubation Program, Innovate Orlando and OMG Labs. The hub is in a two-story, 11,500-sq.- ft. space that includes working rooms for rent, conference space and an auditorium.
Among the site’s leading partners, UCF says its incubation program has provided business development services since 1999, with its current incubator clients supporting about 1,000 employees and generating more than $120 million in revenue in 2023. The nonprofit Innovate Orlando connects startup companies with investors and industry leaders. OMG Labs is a technology incubator and collaborative coworking space for sectors such as game development, AI, simulation and more. Another startup accelerator at the hub, Starter Studio, provides education, mentoring and pre-seed funding.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
David Rodriguez was selected as the new economic development director for the City of Kissimmee. He was formerly an economic development manager for Osceola County and the City of St. Cloud, and earlier worked for Enterprise Florida. He will lead efforts to bring high-value businesses and jobs to Kissimmee, and other community development efforts.
HEALTH CARE
- AdventHealth President and CEO Terry Shaw will retire in July after serving the faith-based health system for 40 years and as chief executive for eight years, overseeing 50-plus hospitals in nine states, including more than 20 health care sites in Central Florida. As CEO, Shaw helped unite the organization under one brand, created a 10-year Vision 2030 plan, implemented cutting-edge technology, and grew the organization to nearly 100,000 employees serving some 9 million patients each year. Shaw plans to play an active role on AdventHealth’s board of directors, which is in the process of selecting his successor by April.
SPACE
- Space Florida launched the new Florida University Space Research Consortium as the state’s official space research entity. The University of Florida, University of Central Florida and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University make up the consortium that will facilitate NASA research grants with partner Kennedy Space Center. The consortium aims to broaden its membership with other universities to build a robust aerospace commerce ecosystem.
- Space Florida’s project pipeline valuation nearly doubled from $2.9 billion to $5.5 billion since 2021, indicating rapid growth as the aerospace industry focuses on not just exploration but advanced air mobility, data protection, manufacturing and more — “on Earth and in Space,” says president and CEO Robert Long. But he adds that regulations favor traditional transportation, hindering private investment in Florida spaceports. “Pushing for tax-exempt bonds for spaceports is a perfect example, which not only supports spaceport growth, but ensures we can maintain the growth necessary to support the industry and enhance American national security.”
TRANSPORTATION
- Ultra-low-cost carrier Breeze Airways began service at Daytona Beach International Airport with nonstop flights to and from White Plains, N.Y., on Thursdays and Sundays. The airline plans to add three destinations in February: Hartford, Conn., Raleigh-Durham, N.C., and Providence, R.I.
UTILITIES
- SECO Energy announced an expansion of its headquarters in Sumter County and new operations centers and warehouses in Lake, Marion and Sumter counties as part of a five-year Energy and Expansion Improvement Plan. The not-for-profit electric cooperative, which serves about 240,000 members in seven counties, plans to break ground in January 2026 and complete the project in 2028.
ACQUISITIONS
- Del-Air Plumbing, Air Conditioning and Electric acquired Colman Heating & Air in Titusville, extending its reach throughout Volusia and Flagler counties. Sanford-based Del-Air also has offices in Clermont, Davenport, Melbourne, Jacksonville, Sarasota and Tampa.
NONPROFITS
- Orlando-based pest management company Massey Services donated $30,000 to the American Red Cross to support relief efforts after hurricanes Helene and Milton swept through the state.
PORTS
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During Hurricane Milton, Port Canaveral was able to double the number of fuel trucks that bring gasoline inland and assist with shortfalls in Port Manatee and Port Tampa, highlighting a lesser-known service that Port Canaveral provides. It has the largest fuel depot in the state, Seaport Canaveral. “A lot of people don’t realize that we move fuel,” says CEO Capt. John W. Murray. “It really becomes high on everyone’s list when we have a storm and we start losing ports and facilities that can deliver fuel, bearing in mind that there are no pipelines in Florida. Our state is dependent on ships bringing fuel in. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have gasoline, diesel or jet fuel. We’re very proud of what we can do in that arena.”