AGP Executive Report

Property Tax Fight: Florida lawmakers changed Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposed property tax cut plan after warnings it could “bankrupt” local governments, including carving out school district levies; the homestead exemption would rise from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, with a November ballot vote requiring 60% approval. SMB Growth & Services: SPATCO Energy Solutions is expanding its environmental services platform in Florida via acquisitions of Discovery Tank Testing and Tank Wizards; Soaring High Marketing Solutions expanded reputation management support for Miami-Dade and Broward SMBs as review rules tighten. Local Business Milestones: Ship Gulf Coast marked two years in Bradenton, highlighting shipping and mailbox services for small businesses. Workforce & Leadership: PCL Construction promoted Rick Goldman to regional vice president overseeing Florida operations plus Minneapolis. Tech for Cash Flow: NPSOne and Allen Kopelman released an on-demand webinar on Smart Invoicing with real-time QuickBooks integration and automated accounts receivable.

Property Tax Shock for Small Business: Florida lawmakers tweaked Gov. Ron DeSantis’ homestead property tax cut to carve out school districts, but local governments and advocates warn the plan could slash essential services and raise costs that hit renters and small businesses. Local Business Funding Limits: Fort Myers is moving to a public hearing on whether to eliminate programs that support minority-owned businesses after a new Florida law limits local diversity-related spending. Retail Theft Crackdown: Martin County held a news conference on “Operation Hammertime,” alleging an organized smash-and-grab hardware theft ring across 13 counties, with charges including racketeering and burglary. AI Legal Fight: Florida sued OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, alleging ChatGPT was marketed while internal safety warnings were suppressed. Business Growth & Jobs: Shear Media Studios expanded its Tampa Bay production facility for rentals, podcasts, commercials, and livestreaming. Cyber/Crime Impact on Operators: A Jacksonville car wash owner says repeated burglaries left thousands in damage and threatens the business’s future. Small-Business Lending Leadership: USCB Financial Holdings named a new chief credit officer, signaling continued focus on credit risk and commercial lending.

SBA Innovation Push: The U.S. Small Business Administration is launching the Freedom 250 Patriot Pitch Competition, a national pitch event with a $1 million prize pool aimed at spotlighting entrepreneurs and job creators. AI Under Fire: Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier sued OpenAI and Sam Altman, alleging deceptive practices and safety failures tied to ChatGPT, with the case seeking penalties and court orders. Property Tax Fight: Florida lawmakers are weighing DeSantis’ property tax overhaul, including a major homestead exemption increase; critics warn local governments could lose hundreds of millions and cut services like public safety, libraries, parks, and road maintenance. Small Business Growth in Florida: Axiom Bank rolled out end-to-end business loan originations for small businesses using Enable-powered digital lending. Workspace Expansion: Priddy Spaces acquired Venture X Palm Beach Gardens, adding 17,425 sq. ft. of flexible office space with 90%+ occupancy history. Local Hiring/Operations: Byline Bank approved a $26.5 million construction loan for a new industrial logistics project on Florida’s Space Coast near Kennedy Space Center. Bookkeeping Support: Zacosta Bookkeeping in Orlando is now accepting new clients for flat-rate monthly bookkeeping and advisory services, including sales tax and fractional CFO support.

Hurricane Preparedness & Home Safety: A Winter Park entrepreneur is pushing back on Florida’s My Safe Florida Home wind-mitigation grants, saying the program funds shutters that are hard to remove during a fire, while his StormStoppers product is designed to be taken off from inside. Data Centers & Local Business Costs: DeSantis signed SB 484 to curb how hyperscale data centers shift electricity and other costs onto ratepayers, while tightening permitting and transparency and keeping local zoning power. Downtown Jacksonville Restaurant Funding: Jacksonville’s Downtown Investment Authority says its FAB-REP incentives are accelerating for new concepts, including a $590,000 package for Vinyl Room that blends grants and loans to spur dining growth. Property Tax Plan Scrutiny: New filed language on DeSantis’ homestead property tax elimination proposal differs from what was pitched publicly, with lawmakers and analysts flagging missing details and potential impacts on schools and services. Cannabis Business Watch: Fort Myers’ Seed & Bean is closing its downtown location after seven years, as its parent company shifts focus to other markets. Entrepreneurship Interest: A new analysis finds record U.S. business applications in 2025, with Florida ranking near the top and Gen Z showing especially strong startup interest.

Downtown Jacksonville Dining Incentives: The Downtown Investment Authority’s FAB-REP is backing more restaurant concepts, including a $590,000 package for Keane’s Tavern’s Vinyl Room (with a $200,000 forgivable loan), showing a faster uptick in civic support for local food-and-beverage projects. Property Tax Relief Details Under Scrutiny: New Senate language for DeSantis’ homestead proposal (SJR 2F) drops the promised $500,000 cap and reshapes how exemptions could expand, leaving schools and local services watching closely as a special session heads to a November ballot. Small-Business Setup Basics: A practical guide highlights what Florida entrepreneurs should plan for when incorporating—name checks, articles, bylaws, directors’ duties, and ongoing compliance. Entrepreneurship & Growth Signals: LendingTree reports record U.S. business applications in 2025, with Florida ranking near the top, while a pro-crypto congressional hopeful Michael Carbonara liquidated 10 Bitcoin for about $800,000 to fund his campaign. Local Business Moves: Downtown Fort Myers’ Seed & Bean (Florida’s first cannabis café) is closing its downtown location after seven years as the parent company shifts focus to other markets. Hospitality Spotlight: A Miami conversation with Fritz & Franz Bierhaus owner Harald Neuweg spotlights how restaurant culture builds community and repeat customers.

Florida Property Tax Shake-Up: Gov. Ron DeSantis is pushing a special session next week on a homestead property tax elimination plan, but the proposal’s details are drawing confusion—raising the homestead exemption to $250,000 in 2028 and sketching a path to full elimination while leaving key mechanics and impacts still unclear for local budgets and services. Local Housing Progress: Tampa’s Gallery at Rome Yards hit a major construction milestone with the final structural beam placed on an 11-story affordable/workforce housing tower (234 units), with move-in timing still to be confirmed. Small Business & Healthcare Access: ASAP Dental Care expanded evening and weekend hours across Greater Jacksonville to handle urgent dental needs outside standard business times. Restaurant Scene: A Bradenton restaurant and brewery, 3 Keys Brewing & Gastrobrew, announced it will close after this weekend, citing a tough economic slowdown. Cannabis Policy Watch: Federal guidance remains “frustrating” for medical marijuana businesses as officials weigh what Trump’s rescheduling move could mean, with more federal steps expected later. Entrepreneurship Interest: A new LendingTree analysis finds record new business applications in 2025, with Gen Z showing the strongest interest in starting ventures. Space & Jobs Ripple: Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket exploded during a Cape Canaveral test, likely delaying Artemis-related plans and disrupting launch infrastructure.

Property Tax Shake-Up: Gov. Ron DeSantis is pushing a special session next week to eliminate homestead property taxes for primary homes, but the proposal’s details are drawing confusion—raising the homestead exemption to $250,000 in 2028 and leaving the rest to future lawmakers, with questions about how schools, public safety, and local services would be funded. Local Housing Progress: Tampa’s Rome Yards is moving ahead—crews placed the final structural beam on a 234-unit affordable/workforce housing tower, with move-in timing still unconfirmed. Small Business Watch: A Bradenton restaurant and brewery, 3 Keys Brewing & Gastrobrew, says it will close May 31, citing a tougher economy. Entrepreneurship Interest: A LendingTree analysis finds new business applications hit a record in 2025, with Gen Z showing the biggest jump in serious startup interest—Florida ranks among the top states for filings. Workforce & Education: U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds unveiled a “Personalized Success Plan” to map every student’s academic and career path starting by sixth grade, with funding following students into college, trade school, the military, or entrepreneurship. Tech/Space Impact: Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket exploded during a Cape Canaveral test, a setback that could ripple into NASA’s Artemis timeline. Healthcare Access: ASAP Dental Care expanded evening and weekend hours across Jacksonville to handle urgent needs without pushing patients to emergency rooms.

Local Business Closures: A Bradenton restaurant and brewery, 3 Keys Brewing & Gastrobrew, says it will close after this weekend, citing a broader economic slowdown that’s made it “no longer possible” to keep going. Space Coast Shockwave: Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket exploded during a hot-fire prelaunch test at Cape Canaveral, an “anomaly” that could sideline the rocket and ripple into NASA’s Artemis timeline. Healthcare & Small Business Impact: MannKind says the FDA approved Afrezza inhaled mealtime insulin for children and teens age 6+ with diabetes, expanding treatment options for pediatric care providers. Community Commerce: Homestead’s Miami Mega Fashion Expo returns Saturday with fashion, music, food, and dozens of local vendors. Hospitality Hiring & Recognition: AHLA and AHLA Foundation are now accepting nominations for national hotel leadership awards, with winners set to be announced in Miami Beach. Policy Watch for Owners: DeSantis’ push to eliminate or sharply reduce Florida homestead property taxes is heading to a special session, but lawmakers and groups are already questioning how schools and local services would be funded. Defense Tech Procurement: Drone procurement is entering a new capital cycle, with U.S. funding and policy shifts aimed at accelerating domestic drone manufacturing. Local Growth: LGI Homes opened Trails West, a 529-home community near Jacksonville, with homes starting in the $240s. Food Scene: Pensacola’s A Mano Panino earned a Michelin Guide “Bib Gourmand” for good quality and value. Tech & Regulation: The FCC is flooded with public comments over proposed DJI/Autel drone restrictions, showing how much small operators rely on affordable gear.

Federal Court Fight: In a civil lawsuit tied to alleged fraud involving Francis “Alfie” Oakes III’s North Naples operations, Oakes’ former acting CEO says more wrongdoing is emerging, while Oakes remains uncharged and says his attorneys are keeping him silent due to an ongoing federal probe. Space Coast Watch: Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket reportedly exploded during a Kennedy Space Center static fire test; NASA and Blue Origin say personnel are accounted for, while SpaceX’s Starship is also temporarily grounded after a mishap pending FAA review. Property Tax Shockwaves: DeSantis’ homestead property tax plan is heading to a special session, but new Senate language and early scrutiny raise alarms about funding gaps for schools, public safety, and local services—plus questions about how revenue would be replaced. AI Data Center Pushback: Escambia residents are protesting a proposed “smaller” AI data center after reports of talks, while Lakeland officials are weighing an early-stage hyperscale data center proposal. Local Business Wins & Growth: Pensacola’s A Mano Panino earns a Michelin “Bib Gourmand,” and Naples-based PaddleWar announces new ownership and expansion plans. Small Business Struggles: Bradenton breweries face closures—3 Keys is ending operations and Motorworks is dealing with eviction tied to a foreclosure case. Community Support: New Port Richey businesses and residents launch a community-funded effort to buy summer recreation passes for families who can’t afford them.

Property Tax Shake-Up: Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled a plan to raise Florida’s homestead exemption from $50,000 to $250,000 (eventually $500,000), which he says would eliminate property taxes for 60% of homeowners and cover up to 92%—with a special session and a November voter vote required. Local Budget Pressure: Critics warn the move could crimp funding for schools, healthcare, and public safety as local governments rely on property tax revenue. Energy Costs & Policy: A national poll finds voters frustrated by rising electricity costs and backs faster permitting and grid upgrades—signals small businesses are watching energy affordability closely. Small-Business Growth Moves: Orlando’s Carl Axen Clothier is expanding private bespoke tailoring across Florida via appointment-only home/office consultations; Ellianos Coffee signed its first Ohio development deal for the Cincinnati metro, marking its 10th state. Tech & Operations: Miami’s Canals raised $35M to automate wholesale distribution workflows; EC-Council launched an AI governance framework and readiness self-assessment tool. Public Safety & Theft: Florida AG says three men face charges tied to an organized retail theft ring targeting hardware stores across 13 counties. Tourism & Community: Delray Beach was named Florida’s “Best Beach” by USA TODAY for a third straight year, and South Florida PBS opened two new VR history experiences in Boynton Beach.

Property Tax Showdown: Gov. Ron DeSantis called a June 1 special session to put a constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would raise Florida’s homestead exemption from $50,000 to $250,000, then push toward $500,000—aiming to make about 92% of homesteaded homeowners property-tax free, while requiring remaining local property-tax revenue to go to “core services” like schools, police, and fire. Local Impact & Small Business Watch: Reporting around the plan flags big risks for city and county budgets, with concerns that services could be cut and that local governments may face bond and credit pressure—something small businesses feel when public services and infrastructure funding get squeezed. Public Input on Regulation: In Umatilla, Lt. Gov. Jay Collins heard from business owners about affordability, taxes, and regulation, saying state rules can create unnecessary costs and that Florida needs to “deregulate” with attention to ripple effects. Daytona Beach Probe: New subpoenas in a Florida AG investigation target spending tied to Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry, including travel and purchasing-card transactions, as the state looks into city financial practices. Local Growth Moves: Lowery’s Plumbing and Leak Detection opened a new commercial office in Vero Beach to expand scheduling and customer support. Community Deals: St. Cloud MainStreet’s “Cloud Cash” returns June 1 with vouchers for downtown shoppers and participating small businesses.

Property Tax Shake-Up: Gov. Ron DeSantis called a special session starting Monday to advance a constitutional amendment that would phase out property taxes on homesteaded homes, beginning with raising the homestead exemption to $250,000 (aimed at making about 60% of homeowners tax-free) and potentially reaching $500,000 (about 92% tax-free), with local revenue limits tied to core services like schools, police and fire. Local Business Impact: Florida lawmakers also face a gas-tax fight—this year’s tax package won’t suspend the gas tax, but lawmakers are weighing other breaks that could affect costs for small businesses and consumers. Small Business Rules Watch: In Baker County, food truck operators say a proposed mobile food ordinance was tabled after public pushback, with vendors arguing the rules would have unfairly lumped different types of food businesses together. South Florida Growth Milestone: FixMold, a mold assessment and remediation contractor, announced it completed its 5,000th commercial mold remediation and sanitization project as it expands across Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and nearby counties. Healthcare Marketing Expansion: Remarcate, a Florida-based patient acquisition and healthcare marketing firm, says it’s expanding into the U.S. to serve Hispanic-focused clinics with conversion-focused systems. Community Commerce: Pensacola businesses along West Garden Street are forming a new association to coordinate support and protect sales during FDOT road construction.

Healthcare Growth: Remarcate, a Florida healthcare marketing and patient-acquisition firm, is expanding into the U.S. to help Hispanic-focused clinics use AI-driven systems for measurable patient acquisition and conversion. Local Business & Community: Flagler County postponed dredging at the Bings Landing boat ramp until after Labor Day after pushback from local boating businesses. Small-Business Hiring & Expansion: NAI Hallmark named Marc Scaffe COO of property management, aiming to scale services across the Southeast. Consumer Pressure: Florida gas prices are up about $1.26 per gallon from last year, adding nearly $19 more per 15-gallon fill-up for drivers heading into summer travel. Entrepreneur Spotlight: Goodwill SWFL received a $12,500 grant for its Southwest Florida MicroEnterprise Institute. Local Openings: A contested Chick-fil-A in North Jacksonville is set to open May 29. Cyber/Scam Warning: A new scam alert targets fake travel-booking messages that can cost travelers $500+

Local Growth: Air Force veteran Keith Gause says his Middleburg HVAC and plumbing startup, All Set Heating, Air, and Plumbing, jumped from one truck to seven in its first year—an early sign of how fast Clay County’s demand is outpacing local service capacity. Small Business Playbook: A new “Small Business Month” push spotlights what resilient owners do differently—tight cash-flow forecasting, strategic debt planning, and staying ahead of shortages instead of reacting late. IP + Startup Support: Tampa Bay founders get a boost from the Menlo Park Patents Q2 Pitch Showcase on June 18, pairing pitches with investor feedback and a free provisional patent application. Tech + Health Biz: Microbot Medical secured Israel marketing clearance for its LIBERTY robotic system, while Quantum Cyber says it’s now debt-free after $15M+ in warrant exercises. Consumer Trust: Gray & Sons Jewelers reports counterfeit luxury watches keep showing up in trade-ins, underscoring the value of professional authentication.

New Restaurant Opened in Longwood: Holy City Zoo BBQ just opened in Longwood, bringing a woman- and veteran-owned 5,000 sq. ft. spot with low-and-slow cherry-wood barbecue, globally inspired sides, and a rock-and-roll vibe—plus a beer list built for pairing. Water Quality Watch: In Inglis and nearby Yankeetown, residents say brown/yellow water issues didn’t fully stop even after a boil notice ended, with officials pointing to problems at the Inglis water plant and silt/iron pulling into the system. Local Business Spotlight: SWFL Inc. held its sold-out 2026 INCredible Awards, honoring leaders across small business, veteran-owned firms, innovation, and nonprofits. Film Incentives: Orange County is rolling out a $25M, five-year film incentive program with rebates for eligible productions to drive jobs and tourism. Business Community Events: Jacksonville’s 2nd Annual Business Expo Jacksonville returns June 6 with a “Together We Thrive” theme for local networking and vendors.

Fashion & Tourism Buzz: Luxury designer Elsie Mendez is set to debut her Caribbean-inspired Latin luxury collection at Espacio Vogue Miami Swim Week on May 30, spotlighting South Florida’s runway-to-business energy. Small-Business Legal Pressure: Credible Law says MCA cases are rising, with more owners reporting ACH freezes, bank levies, and UCC lien fights—pushing demand for emergency defense help in Florida and beyond. Local Growth & Deals: Miami-Dade is inviting small businesses to a free Small & Local Business Fair May 29, while Jacksonville’s 2nd Annual Business Expo returns June 6 with “Together We Thrive” networking and vendor opportunities. Real Estate & Data Centers: An Indiantown family’s land is in the spotlight as a hyperscale data center proposal moves forward, raising questions about community impact. Business Education: Crown Institute announced a 2026 Local Government Accountability Conference in Orlando focused on transparency and measurable performance.