AGP Executive Report

Hemp Rule Delay for Florida Retailers: A federal continuing resolution delays most upcoming hemp restrictions that would have shifted the legal definition to a “total THC standard,” giving Florida shops—where hemp-derived THC can drive about 80% of sales—an extra month to keep products on shelves while lawmakers keep negotiating. Small-Business Costs Watch: AAA reports gas prices are on track to break the Labor Day record, with diesel at an all-time high, raising the odds of higher shipping and operating costs for Florida businesses. Local Growth & Jobs Pipeline: Gainesville is set to receive a $25M HUD CHOICE Neighborhoods grant to revitalize east-side housing and corridors, while SharkMakers expands from a high school program into a collegiate cohort with a Tampa Bay entrepreneurship partnership. Community & Main Street: Bonita Springs voters approved acquiring the Bonita Estero Rail Trail, aiming to turn an inactive corridor into a multi-use path that supports recreation and local businesses. Franchise/Legal Signals: New class-action litigation targets DICK’S Sporting Goods over its Foot Locker acquisition claims, a reminder to SMBs to watch how big-box deals can ripple into investor and consumer fallout.

Labor Day & retail hours: Most major stores are open Monday, Sept. 7, with many closing early (e.g., Aldi 6 p.m., Sam’s Club 6 p.m.); USPS is closed and some chains like Costco are shut—worth checking local hours before you go. Southwest Florida trail win: Bonita Springs voters approved acquiring the Bonita Estero Rail Trail, converting an inactive corridor into a multi-use walking and biking route that aims to boost safety, connect communities, and support nearby businesses. Local housing boost: Gainesville is set to receive a $25M HUD CHOICE Neighborhoods grant to redevelop aging public housing into energy-efficient, mixed-income communities and revitalize the East University Avenue corridor. STEM pipeline contract: ARCTOS won up to a $60M Air Force Research Laboratory STEM outreach contract to expand internships, apprenticeships, and mentoring tied to Wright-Patterson’s Next-Gen Innovators program. Small-business finance warning: A Colorado investigation highlights how merchant cash advances and “fast business funding” deals can hit owners with big fees and few protections, including a case involving a “Goldman Fund” pitch with no Goldman Sachs link. Hemp uncertainty: A federal continuing resolution delays most upcoming hemp restrictions, giving Florida retailers selling THC hemp products a short-term reprieve while the policy fight continues. Workforce pressure from AI: A report argues AI is already reducing entry-level job opportunities for young adults, pushing schools to focus more on critical judgment and career readiness than just teaching tools.

HUD & Neighborhood Revitalization: Gainesville is set to receive a $25M U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development CHOICE Neighborhoods grant to redevelop two east-side apartment complexes and revitalize the East University Avenue corridor, with a focus on replacing aging public housing with energy-efficient, mixed-income development. Small-Business Financing Watch: A Florida-relevant consumer warning is emerging from a report on merchant cash advances and “fast business funding,” where borrowers say they were steered into high-fee deals with few protections. Local Education-to-Entrepreneurship: SharkMakers is expanding its Next Gen Tech 360-style pipeline with a new collegiate cohort with the University of South Florida’s Nault Center for Entrepreneurship, pushing market research, product building, and go-to-market planning before student pitches. Cost Pressure for Operators: AAA says gas prices are on track to break the Labor Day record, with diesel at an all-time high—raising transportation costs that hit small businesses hard. Workforce & Policy: A study finds state youth social media laws often outpace solid mental-health outcomes, raising questions for schools and families about what actually helps. Entrepreneurship Recognition: Miami Dade College will unveil a historical marker honoring former Rep. Carrie P. Meek at its Meek Entrepreneurial Education Center, highlighting entrepreneurship and vocational training. Business Climate: WalletHub ranks South Florida cities among the best for Hispanic entrepreneurs, with Pembroke Pines, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Miami, and Hialeah leading.

Labor Day Cost Crunch: Gas prices are poised to smash the Labor Day record, with Florida averaging about $3.95 a gallon and diesel hitting an all-time high of $5.85—an extra hit for businesses that rely on trucking and shipping. Hemp Rule Delay: A federal continuing resolution pushes back most upcoming hemp restrictions, giving Florida retailers and dispensaries more breathing room to keep THC products on shelves through the holidays (at least until Dec. 11). Youth Social Media Pushback: A new study finds states are regulating youth social media at record speed, but the mental-health impact of many policies is still backed by mixed or limited results—important for Florida schools and local programs. Space Academy Plan: Trump’s proposed “United States Space Academy” would offer tuition-free four-year training under NASA leadership, with details still to be set by a commission. Local Business Spotlight: WalletHub ranks South Florida cities—Pembroke Pines, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Miami, and Hialeah—among the best for Hispanic entrepreneurs. Fraud & Compliance: Florida is cracking down on fake income documents used for rental applications, with the conduct now treated as a severe criminal offense. Franchise Win: PuroClean co-franchise owner Joe Thomas (with locations in Florida) named IFA Franchisee of the Year. Housing Market Watch: Redfin reports Miami and Tampa are leading luxury home price gains in 2026, even as broader affordability pressures weigh on non-luxury segments.

Property Tax Fight: A coalition says Florida’s Amendment 3 may use “honest” wording now, but it’s still a bad deal—cutting property-tax revenue and forcing local governments to either slash services or raise money elsewhere. Beach Access Clash: In the Panhandle, a long-running fight over where private property ends and public beach access begins is spreading, with residents warning the issue could reach other coastal communities. Franchise & Small Business Leadership: Hand & Stone’s new CEO Carrie Walsh highlights what franchisees need to keep standards high while growing membership and retention. Policy Watch for Small Retailers: U.S. Sen. Rick Scott pushes for transparency on drug recalls and flags airline refund rules that strain small travel agencies. Local Business & Community: Tampa moves ahead on a Friendship City agreement with Ukraine’s Khmelnytskyi, aiming for cultural and business ties as a TPS deadline looms. Tech & Entrepreneurship: FIU doctoral students’ PolarDoc startup becomes a global Hult Prize finalist for preterm-birth imaging tech. Business Finance: Meritage Hospitality announces board changes as it continues operating hundreds of restaurants, including in Florida.

Space & Talent Pipeline: UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management will host the International Space University’s 2027 Space Studies Program, bringing hundreds of space educators and students to Orlando for a seven-week career-boosting track. Tax & Small Business Impact: The Treasury Department is moving to strip federal tax-exempt status from private schools that use race in admissions or scholarships, a change that could affect thousands of institutions and the donors who support them. Local Business & Community: Jacksonville and surrounding areas are gearing up for 904 Day and Labor Day with free neighborhood events, live music, and vendor activity aimed at keeping local spending local. Workforce & Education: Miami Barber Institute President Luis Castillo served on a Council on Occupational Education accreditation team for Los Angeles Pacific College, highlighting Florida’s role in career-training quality. Entrepreneurship Spotlight: FIU doctoral founders behind PolarDoc (preterm imaging tech) were named global Hult Prize finalists, advancing a path from lab to clinical use. Business Risk & Compliance: Florida’s Commission on Ethics found probable cause against Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa tied to city “Business Boost 2.0” funds going to companies connected to her family. Payments & Niche Retail: Lifelong and Electronic Payments are partnering to bring integrated payment processing and tools to kava bar operators nationwide. AI & Marketing Reality Check: Treyci says major AI engines disagree sharply on which brands to recommend, creating a visibility gap that could affect SMB discovery. Women in Business: Daytona Beach’s “Boss Lady” leadership conference returns Sept. 17–19 to help Florida businesswomen network and grow.

Local Ethics Watch: Florida’s Commission on Ethics found probable cause that Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa had an employment or contractual relationship with three companies tied to the city’s “Business Boost 2.0” COVID-era small business fund, with Espinosa saying she’ll seek a public hearing. Short-Term Rental Rules: Manatee County held a workshop on regulating short-term vacation rentals, with residents pushing for stronger enforcement and possible draft revisions aimed at repeat problem properties. Workforce & Mobility: OIC of South Florida’s 2026 Middle Class Summit runs Sept. 9-10 in Hollywood, focusing on AI’s impact on jobs, affordable housing, and access to health care. Small Business Finance Education: Credit One Bank’s Credit Tip Off Tour brings Shaquille O’Neal to Florida Atlantic University on Nov. 9 to teach students how credit works. Tourism & Local Commerce: WalletHub ranked South Florida cities highly for Hispanic entrepreneurs, led by Pembroke Pines (No. 1) and Fort Lauderdale (No. 2). Business Growth Beyond Florida: Flyte won approvals to expand private charter operations from its Florida network into the Bahamas and Caribbean. Franchise Expansion: Little Caesars plans four new locations on U.S. Navy installations, continuing its non-traditional military footprint.

Workforce & Mobility: OIC of South Florida is bringing back its Middle Class Summit Sept. 9–10 at the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, aiming to convene 500+ business, policy, education, and workforce leaders around AI’s impact on jobs, affordable housing, and access to health care. Local Tax Debate: Miami-Dade leaders are pushing back on Florida’s Amendment 3, arguing the homestead exemption changes could be “deceptive” and create unintended consequences for key services. Small Business & Consumer Protection: Sen. Rick Scott is urging the U.S. DOT to fix a flight refund rule he says is hurting independent travel agents and small travel businesses. Entrepreneurship Hot Spots: WalletHub’s 2026 rankings put South Florida cities near the top for Hispanic entrepreneurs, with Pembroke Pines #1, Fort Lauderdale #2, Miami #4, and Hialeah #5. Commercial Cleaning: Coverall of Gainesville says it earned a perfect 5-star Google rating across 42 reviews, highlighting consistency from its franchise owners. Tech & Growth: PowerCompute (Tampa) will present at the H.C. Wainwright investment conference, tying its expansion into HPC/AI infrastructure to verified compute progress. Fraud Crackdown: The FTC and 22 state AGs, including Florida’s Raoul, sued Amazon over alleged secret ad surcharge pricing that they say inflated costs for small sellers.

Local Business Recognition: The Daytona Regional Chamber named Daytona Escape Room Experience Small Business of the Year, with Boys & Girls Clubs of Volusia and Flagler Counties taking Nonprofit of the Year, and Halifax Health leaders honored for leadership and young professional work. Small Business Tax Relief: Florida’s sales tax holiday starts Sept. 1, cutting sales tax on guns and ammunition plus select outdoor gear—though local retailers say many mom-and-pop items don’t qualify. Amazon Ad-Fraud Fight: The FTC and 22 states, including Florida, sued Amazon over alleged manipulated ad auctions and hidden surcharges that could hit small and medium advertisers and flow through to consumers. Healthcare Coverage Pressure: With Medicare open enrollment approaching, MB Insurance Solutions urged Florida beneficiaries to review 2027 plan changes, especially prescription formularies and costs. Franchise Growth: FASTSIGNS held its 16th annual Outside Sales Summit, recognizing more than 300 sales professionals and highlighting continued network momentum. Local Hiring & Expansion: Concord Coffee opened a new hospital location in Lakeland, adding another stop to its growing Central Florida footprint. Business Restructuring Help: Juan Burgos Law expanded Spanish-language Subchapter V bankruptcy support for Hispanic small-business owners in Central Florida. Community & Culture: UF’s Black Student Assembly welcomed new students at “The Gallery,” with campus groups and small businesses tabling to build connections.

Amazon Ad Lawsuit Hits Florida: Colorado joined the FTC and 21 states in a lawsuit accusing Amazon of manipulating ad auctions and secretly adding surcharges since 2019, allegedly overcharging about 1.2 million advertisers; Florida is named among the states seeking injunctions and money. Gun Sales Tax Holiday: Florida’s Sept. 1 sales tax break on guns and ammunition kicks in for four months, plus limited outdoor gear—small retailers say the caps and qualifying rules help big box stores more than mom-and-pop shops. Car Wash Expansion: QC Capital Group says its AquaShine Express opened in Winter Haven, Fla., and is expanding with more sites under contract as the express car wash market resets after compressed multiples. Local Business Legal Help: Juan Burgos Law expanded Spanish-language Subchapter V bankruptcy support for Central Florida’s Hispanic small-business owners as elections rise nationally. Banking Deal Update: United Community Banks completed its $2.0B sale of its Navitas equipment finance business to funds managed by Wafra, sharpening focus on core Southeastern banking. Healthcare Coverage Prep: MB Insurance Solutions urges Florida small businesses and individuals to review Medicare options ahead of the Oct. 15–Dec. 7 open enrollment window.

Amazon Ad Lawsuit: The FTC and 22 state AGs, including Florida’s, sued Amazon over alleged “hidden surcharges” that inflated ad prices for more than a million brands and sellers since 2019, with small and medium businesses among those hit. Local Business Impact: Orlando’s Tampa Avenue near Camping World Stadium is set for about two months of closures starting this week for SR-408 utility, drainage and sidewalk work—raising concerns for nearby small shops like Legacy Café. Healthcare Costs for SMB Owners: An AP analysis says about 440,000 Floridians dropped ACA plans after federal subsidies expired, pushing some premiums up by hundreds of dollars—an affordability squeeze that can ripple into small-business budgets. Workforce & Ranching: USDA launched the Ranchers First Initiative to rebuild the cattle herd and expand tools for ranchers, including Florida’s cattle industry. Franchise Growth: Beyond Juicery + Eatery announced a new franchise owner in West Delray Beach, showing continued local entrepreneurship momentum.

Antitrust/Consumer Protection: Florida’s small businesses are getting a spotlight in a new multi-state and FTC lawsuit accusing Amazon of secretly overcharging advertisers by manipulating ad auctions, with claims of more than $20 billion extracted from over 1.2 million advertisers, including many small and medium-sized firms. Local Business Growth: Transworld Business Advisors says it has surpassed 500 markets served worldwide, reflecting continued demand for business brokerage and succession planning. Franchise Expansion: Checkers & Rally’s is adding two new concession stands at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, expanding its non-traditional venue footprint. Workforce Pipeline: The SBA is launching its inaugural Manufacturing Workforce Expo in Coconut Creek to connect students with apprenticeships and manufacturing jobs. Small Business & Compliance: NFIB is pushing federal action on right-to-repair-style access to vehicle diagnostic codes, warning independent mechanics can’t fix many cars without manufacturer access. Community & Events: Urban Golf Weekend is bringing its networking and community impact to Miami Beach, aiming to grow access to golf for entrepreneurs and athletes. Education/Grants: FAU received a $400,000 NSF grant to improve STEM workforce readiness for undergraduates.

Local Business Spotlight: A 16-year-old entrepreneur at Florida Atlantic University High School, Anik Sahai, is building AI and medical tools while developing a self-driving golf cart—another sign South Florida’s startup pipeline is getting younger. Small-Business Growth & Networking: eWomenNetwork Southwest Florida says its chapter is the fastest-growing in its history, aiming to help women entrepreneurs reach $1M in annual revenue through events and mentorship. Policy & Jobs: A Tallahassee-area op-ed argues Florida should prioritize private-sector job creation (not data centers) and push for economic diversification. Real Estate & Costs: Hillsborough’s “bed tax” is funding a major share of the Tampa Bay Rays’ new stadium, showing how tourism dollars can reshape local business investment. Insurance Market Watch: American Coastal Insurance outlines strategy as Florida’s commercial insurance pricing softens, emphasizing underwriting discipline and planned expansion. Defense Contracting: NewSat North America won the first U.S. Navy task order under CIIS II to modernize partner maritime surveillance capabilities.

Local Workforce & Small Business Support: Florida SBDC Network and CareerSource Florida are teaming up to help entrepreneurs and small businesses tap state resources while building talent pipelines for growing industries like advanced manufacturing, shipbuilding and AgTech. Economic Pressure on Families: Sen. Rick Scott is pushing back on high prices, arguing Congress must stop reckless spending to give Americans relief as costs keep squeezing household budgets. Local Business Climate Debate: A Tallahassee-area op-ed says residents don’t want data centers—they want jobs—and urges more focus on private-sector growth and economic diversification. Tourism Tax Funding: In Tampa, hotel “bed tax” revenue is helping pay for the Tampa Bay Rays’ new stadium, with more than $300 million tied to tourist development taxes. Women Entrepreneurs: eWomenNetwork Southwest Florida says it’s rapidly expanding and aims to help members reach $1M in annual revenue through networking and support. Training for CDL Careers: Sarasota-based FleetForce Truck Driver Training celebrated its 10,000th CDL graduate, highlighting hiring momentum for new drivers. Data Center Zoning: Highlands County is reviewing zoning to limit or deny large AI data centers, citing electricity and cost concerns for residents and small businesses. Small Business Disruption at Delivery: A Broward bakery says its cinnamon-roll order was delayed after a delivery driver was detained by Border Patrol, sparking customer and business fallout.

Local Business Funding: Tampa hotel guests helped pay for the Tampa Bay Rays’ new stadium, with more than $300M of the $2.3B price tag coming from Hillsborough’s “bed tax” tourist development revenue. Workforce & Training: Sarasota-based FleetForce Truck Driver Training hit 10,000 CDL graduates, with Swift Transportation hiring its 10,001st graduate on the spot. Small-Business Support & Policy: Florida SBDC Network and CareerSource Florida are partnering to help entrepreneurs and small businesses access resources while building talent pipelines for advanced manufacturing, shipbuilding and AgTech. Regulation & Costs: Highlands County is reviewing zoning to limit or deny large AI data centers, citing electricity and ratepayer impacts. Healthcare Costs for Owners/Workers: With ACA subsidies gone, Florida is seeing major coverage drop-offs and rising health costs hitting gig workers and small business families. Local Commerce Events: Palm Beach County’s Chamber launches Carnaval Palm Beaches to spotlight Hispanic-owned businesses and community leaders. Public Safety/Compliance: CBP detained an Uber driver delivering cinnamon rolls in Broward, leaving a small bakery out about $3,100.

Data Center Pushback: Highlands County is reviewing zoning to limit or deny large AI data centers under a new state law, with officials citing electricity and cost impacts on residents and small businesses. Workforce & Small Business Support: Florida SBDC Network is partnering with CareerSource Florida to help entrepreneurs and small businesses access resources while strengthening talent pipelines for industries like advanced manufacturing and AgTech. Local Business & Community Events: Palm Beach’s Chamber of Commerce is launching Carnaval Palm Beaches on Sept. 12 to spotlight Hispanic-owned businesses and community leadership. Healthcare Costs Hit Floridians: Florida is seeing fallout from the ACA subsidy drop-off, with reports of Floridians losing coverage and struggling with higher health care costs. Skilled Trades Growth: A new survey finds 83% of contractor licensing students are getting licensed for the first time, signaling more entrepreneurs entering the trades. Small Business Tech Launch: ClaimsRevenue™ is rolling out Sept. 1 to help independent medical practices validate claims, spot denial patterns, and protect revenue. Entrepreneurship in Action: FleetForce Truck Driver Training in Sarasota hit 10,000 CDL graduates, with a new hire announced during the milestone celebration. Immigration & Delivery Disruption: In Broward, CBP detained an Uber driver transporting about $3,000 in cinnamon rolls, leaving a small bakery without its order.