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Jacksonville Business Journal
Swisher CEO on what lies ahead after 100 years in Jacksonville
Cigar manufacturer Swisher celebrated its 100th year in Jacksonville with the unveiling of a mural at its Springfield facility to commemorate its history. The mural was painted by Jacksonville artist Martin Torres, who goes by Tilín.<\p> Located near the Phoenix Arts and Innovation District and a stretch of the Emerald Trail, the property has a manufacturing plant for binder and wrappers for tobacco products and also has Swisher’s sole warehouse for shipping across the U.S. <\p>
What's next in the NAR commission lawsuit settlement?
Some big deadlines are on the horizon for the class-action lawsuits that swept the residential real estate industry over the past year. <\p> The conclusion of these lawsuits could bring about significant changes to how homes are bought and sold beginning in the later part of 2024.<\p>
Get to know the 2024 Ultimate Tech Leaders
For the past six years, the Jacksonville Business Journal has honored some of the men and women whose technology leadership has helped local organizations grow, deal with challenges and shape the future.<\p> This year, 15 individuals have been selected as technology leaders of the year. These men and women help lead the way in bolstering Jacksonville’s fintech sector, are working to grow a cluster of cybersecurity-focused businesses, are expanding the boundaries of machine learning and are using technology to push the boundaries of sport.<\p>
John Wensveen on STEM education and the space economy
Editor's Note: This article is a part of statewide special report between the Florida network of Business Journals. To read the complete coverage, click here.<\p> John Wensveen oversees operations at the Levan Center, a 54,000-square-foot facility on the fifth floor of the Alvin Sherman Library, Research and Information Technology Center on Nova Southeastern University’s Davie campus.<\p>
MDC's new AI degree program offers 'competitive advantage'
Editor's Note: This article is a part of statewide special report between the Florida network of Business Journals. To read the complete coverage, click here.<\p> You've probably heard by now: Artificial intelligence is expected to disrupt nearly every industry out there. <\p>
Training students at the cutting edge of medical technology
Editor's Note: This article is a part of statewide special report between the Florida network of Business Journals. To read the complete coverage, click here.<\p> 3D printing is at the forefront of medical technology. The ability to make accurate life-sized models is changing how surgeons prepare for and conduct operations.<\p>
‘State-of-the-art’ simulation center drives nursing education in North
Editor's Note: This article is a part of statewide special report between the Florida network of Business Journals. To read the complete coverage, click here.<\p> An innovative program in the Jacksonville area is seeking to converge health care education with hospital needs. The initiative is funded with millions of dollars from the Legislature. <\p>
How Tech Sassy Girlz will grow its mission
Editor's Note: This article is a part of statewide special report between the Florida network of Business Journals. To read the complete coverage, click here.<\p> Laine Powell has her Tech Sassy Girlz nonprofit in growth mode as it works to expand STEM to underrepresented groups. <\p>
NeoCity leaders create future STEM workforce pipeline
Editor's Note: This article is a part of statewide special report between the Florida network of Business Journals. To read the complete coverage, click here.<\p> Metro Orlando — which has drawn more than $500 million in federal, state and local funding in the past two years for Osceola County's NeoCity — will see some of that money invested into bolstering the local workforce training pipeline for STEM jobs.<\p>
Special Report: Florida’s STEM economy relies on high-skilled talent
One of the featured breakout sessions scheduled at the Florida Chamber Foundation’s annual Florida Learners to Earners Workforce Solution Summit on June 26 in Tampa says a lot about how critical Florida’s future STEM economy is. <\p> “Math Matters: Collaborative Conversations Elevating the Role of Math in Shaping Our Future Workforce” focuses on the importance of STEM education. Another panel features cybersecurity leaders who discuss how Florida’s higher education prepares talent for emerging careers. STEM is a dominant theme in the economic development discourse. <\p>
Less than 10% of office stock in major metros considered 'prime' space
Less than 10% of the office space across some of the nation's major metropolitan markets is considered "prime" real estate, the type of property today's tenants prefer.<\p> A recent analysis by CBRE Group Inc. (NYSE: CBRE), the findings of which were shared first with The Business Journals, found 830 buildings across 57 cities analyzed could be categorized as "prime" properties, representing 8% of all office square footage in those markets. Although the definition of "prime" can vary by market, sometimes dramatically, the analysis set out to identify the highest-quality buildings in each city and examine how that segment of the market is performing relative to the broader office sector.<\p>
Out-of-town games, community benefit & more: Nailing down Jags deal
With the final decision on the Jacksonville Jaguars stadium deal days away, City Council ironed out some final details at a special meeting Thursday. Here’s what was discussed:<\p> Community benefits agreement separated<\p>
No more summer Sipping & Strolling: Monthly event to take a break
Downtown Vision’s Sip & Stroll event is taking a break for the rest of the summer, the agency said Thursday, giving the organization time to “reimagine” the event.<\p> Presented by PNC Bank, Sip & Stroll highlights bars and restaurants along and close to the Southbank Riverwalk. This includes City Grille and Raw Bar, Flavors of Thai and Pier 1515 at the Southbank Hotel.<\p>
Construction set to begin on Cooper’s Hawk Winery in Mandarin
A $4.5 million Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant is on its way to the Mandarin Landing shopping center.<\p> Ormond Beach-based ResCon Group received a permit on Tuesday for the 10,725 square-foot building on behalf of Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant LLC of Downers Grove, Illinois.<\p>
Road construction company with a First Coast operation is acquired
A company involved in transportation construction with offices in Jacksonville and Savannah has been sold to a Georgia construction contractor looking to expand its capabilities.<\p> C.W. Matthews, a heavy highway construction contractor that operates throughout Georgia, acquired Baker Constructors, a heavy highway site development contractor with an office in St. Johns County. <\p>
New tea shop receives permit to build in the St. Johns Town Center
Komma Tea & Natural Homemade Desserts is bringing a store to the St. Johns Town Center.<\p> FH Holding is listed as the constructor manager for the $186,000 project to build out the 1,269-square-foot space for the takeout tea shop. <\p>
California-based company purchases over $50 million in Jax land
A California real estate investment trust purchased $53.5 million of property at the Crossroads Distribution Center in West Jacksonville. <\p> Bixby Land Co., based in Newport Beach, California, purchased 20 acres of land at 6600 Pritchard Road from WPT Pritchard Road LP for $14.8 million and 75.3 acres at 6590 Pritchard Road from BCore Crossroads Owner LLC, according to county records. The sale took place on June 10.<\p>
Jacksonville among most popular US cities to move to, study shows
The First Coast remains one of the hottest relocation destinations in the U.S. according to a recent report studying moving patterns.<\p> In a report released in May by PODS Enterprises, LLC, a moving and storage company, Jacksonville ranked No. 9 nationally among cities with the highest number of move-ins. The study measures moving trends and data from cities across the U.S., but only ranks the top 20 highest move-in and move-out locations.<\p>
After St. Johns rejection, affordable housing developer heads to Duval
After the St. Johns County Commission unanimously rejected an affordable housing project early last month, the developer now looks to the north with hope.<\p> Dominium, a national affordable housing developer, planned a 288-unit affordable project called Preserve at Wards Creek near State Road 16 and State Road 16 A in St. Johns County. It faced a good deal of opposition, particularly about traffic, from residents of the various neighborhoods along S.R. 16 and was ultimately denied on May 7. But now, Dominium is in conversations with the City of Jacksonville to bring a similar development to Duval County. <\p>
Jacksonville breakfast chain headed to Orlando
Grumpy’s Restaurant, a beloved Orange Park-headquartered breakfast chain, is ready to expand in the Orlando area.<\p> Grumpy’s — which opened in 1999 in the Jacksonville suburb Orange Park — announced its shift to franchise mode in 2019 and has added four eateries since then in Middleburg, St. John’s, Neptune Beach and Wildlight, with Orlando now in its sights.<\p>
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