Small-business owners are optimistic about their growth prospects as we move toward the midpoint of 2024. <\p> According to a recent WalletHub survey of business owners, more than 60% of small-business owners believe now is a good time to grow. That's despite 64% who believe inflation won’t be coming down soon, and 60% who say their business is in need of financing more than it was a year ago. <\p>

Rank Business name/URL Volume of mortgages by area offices in 2023 No. of mortgages by area offices in 2023 Loan officers Types of loans Year founded locally Top local executive 1 VyStar Credit Union, 76 S Laura St., Jacksonville, FL 32202, 904-777-6000,...

The challenges facing America's downtowns are frequently linked to the staggering amount of empty office space sitting in towers. But another important segment of the downtown revitalization conversation is how to fill a growing amount of vacant retail space in cities across the country.<\p> Once the core shopping hubs of cities and metro areas, downtowns for many retailers have lost favor to more suburban locations, even predating the Covid-19 pandemic, thanks to population and demographic patterns. Even the suburban retail story has faced challenges, though, with U.S. malls posting an average vacancy rate of 8.7% in 2023 — the highest of any retail property type tracked by Jones Lang LaSalle Inc. (NYSE: JLL).<\p>

BDO Digital, the technology advisory arm of BDO USA, today announced that it has adopted cybersecurity innovator OnDefend’s breach and attack simulation technology, BlindSPOT, to enhance its IT security service offerings.<\p> BlindSPOT simulates real-world attack scenarios from both established and emerging cyber adversaries to identify vulnerabilities, test controls and improve incident response time to help mitigate cyber risks. With the addition of BlindSPOT, BDO’s clients will be able to better anticipate and prepare for evolving threats, identify security gaps and adapt defenses so they remain resilient in the face of changing attack landscapes.<\p>

Off the busy, four-lane highway that is Moncrief Road, visitors make a left turn from the asphalt ribbon at 4850 — just over train tracks and just before Moncrief Creek — to enter the gravel drive leading to Eartha's Farm and Market. Here they...

Jacksonville venture capital fund PS27 recently announced it had invested in Boston-based software developer OnRamp with its newest fund, named Titan.<\p> OnRamp, a developer of customer onboarding and implementation software, aims to "enable white-glove customer success at scale" by cutting out the busywork with workflow automation.<\p>

Ponte Vedra Beach-based biopharmaceutical company Cadrenal Therapeutics announced Tuesday it has received a key designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for tecarfarin.<\p> Cadrenal [NASDAQ: CVKD] received an Orphan Drug Designation for its late-stage novel oral and reversible anticoagulant tecarfarin. The blood thinner designed to prevent heart attacks, strokes and deaths due to blood clots in patients with rare cardiovascular conditions was granted the status by the FDA for the prevention of thromboembolism and thrombosis in patients with an implanted mechanical circulatory support device.<\p>

Country clubs that made it through the leaner years of the Great Recession and the turmoil of the Covid-19 pandemic are expected to see blue skies in 2024 and beyond — and that means waitlists at well-situated clubs will likely remain robust. <\p> Right now, indicators are showing clubs are largely in the driver's seat in 2024 with increased demand and limited supply, according to Chris Davis, a director at Club Benchmarking, which uses club data and evaluations to help them plan for their capital needs.<\p>

Endowments at the 100 wealthiest colleges in America fell by an average of 3.3% between 2021 and 2022, but they rose an average of 35% since 2019. <\p> That’s according to a recent Business Journals analysis of data from the U.S. Department of Education.<\p>

Matthew Chang argues that Jacksonville should capitalize on its strength in autonomous systems. JTA’s Ultimate Urban Circulator project could have a rocky path ahead. Another LaVilla project deferred as board calls for community input. Season tickets, PSLs, turf and more — answers from Jags' huddle.

Rapid patient growth recently required a Southside hormone replacement, weight management and wellness clinic to hire new staff, move to bigger offices, and expand its range of treatments. In the process, it earned a significant designation by the leading hormone replacement provider. Precision Medicine & Wellness by Elizabeth Bagan, APRN, moved from St. Johns Bluff Rd. and now serves patients at 9191 R. G. Skinner Pkwy., Bldg. 901, just east of the I-295-Baymeadows Rd. exit, near Atlantic Coast High School. “We’re seeing five times more patients per week than a year ago, so this move was crucial for our business and patients,” Bagan says. “We now care for patients in a spacious, stand-alone building with room to grow the practice.” As part of the expansion, Bagan added a new clinical practice administrator and patient care coordinator. In addition, the practice added an aesthetics division, focused on specialized cosmetic procedures and products, such as Botox, filler injections and long-term skin care. Bagan and her team are inviting patients, friends and the public to celebrate the growth and addition of aesthetic services at their “Ready, Set…Glow!” open house, Sept. 28, 3-7pm. Those interested in attending should visit www.PrecisionMedicineJax.com/events for more information. The practice’s growth earned Precision Medicine & Wellness the designation of ‘Legacy Partner’ with Biote, the nation’s leading producer of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. According to Biote, “Legacy Biote Partners are awarded this status after reaching a higher level of experience with Biote hormone replacement.” Bagan notes hormone imbalance affects 70-80% of women and men, and is caused by a variety of reasons, such as high stress, diet and aging. Bagan said the clinic continues evolving, as she partnered with local chiropractor, Phil Scheets, D.C., to form Duval Spine & Rehab, collocated in the building. “Adding chiropractic services really complements our hormone and weight management offerings,” she says. “It furthers our mission of providing optimal relief.” According to Bagan, both new and returning patients seem to like the changes. “We’re dealing with real quality of life issues: mood and energy, optimal weight, pain relief, and self-image,” Bagan says. “To make real change, we actually listen to you…and what your body—your whole body—is telling you. Our patients find the results truly empowering.” About Precision Medicine & Wellness by Elizabeth Bagan, APRN: Elizabeth Bagan, APRN, established Precision Medicine and Wellness (PMW) in 2019 to pursue a career in health promotion and disease prevention. The practice employs integrative medicine—considering the whole person and his or her lifestyle; not just the ailment or disease—and is one of Florida’s leading certified providers of the Biote bioidentical hormone therapy, the standard in hormone replacement therapy. PMW uses evidenced-based medicine and the Obesity Medicine Association’s (OMA) protocols as its key to long-term weight management. PMW’s medical team serves as its patients’ weight loss partner and personal coach, using OMA standards based in science, not popular opinion or fad diets. PMW also offers Duval Spine & Rehab, a full-service chiropractic practice, and aesthetic treatments. For more information, visit https://www.PrecisionMedicineJax.com/.

Leaders in technology, business and academia will present ‘AI: The Promise and The Peril,’ exploring the business benefits and threats of artificial intelligence, at Jacksonville University’s Davis College of Business & Technology Sept. 29th, from 9:30am to 1:30pm. Jacksonville Business Professionals (JaxBP.org) is hosting the event for its members and guests as its Fall Educational Gathering. “One of our key missions is business and community education,” says JBP 2023 President Blake Massey, “and we could think of no timelier topic than artificial intelligence and its effect on business.” Speakers include: • JU Adjunct Matt Berseth, co-founder and CIO, NLP Logix, a leader in AI, data mining and machine learning; • Dr. Bob Touchton, P.E., autonomous systems expert and strategist; • JU grad Matthew Chang, principal, Chang Industrial, specializing in AI and autonomous systems; and • Nicholas Allard, Esq., dean, JU College of Law, and an expert on the impact of new technology on society and the law. “We’re honored these leaders in AI are giving their time and sharing their expertise,” Massey says. “Their reputations precede them and attendees will gain huge insights into AI, its uses and challenges.” The AI leaders will discuss: • “Artificial Intelligence 101” • “Bringing the World of AI into Your Business” • “Why the Hype? Do Humans Still Matter?” • “Humans and AI have a Lot to Learn from Each Other” The seminar starts at 9:30am with a continental breakfast and welcome from JU President Tim Cost, and continues through a working lunch. It’s schedule to end at 1:30pm. Admission is $60 for JBP members, $70 for guests and $25 for students. Tickets and sponsorships opportunities are available at JaxBP.org. About Jacksonville Business Professionals JaxBP is a member-led, non-profit organization comprised of vetted accountants, lenders, attorneys, insurance providers, other professionals and business consultants. The JBP mission is service and support to and among its members, members’ clients, and the greater Northeast Florida community, by creating opportunities to collaborate and educate. Its vision is to become the powerhouse of business professionals in Northeast Florida providing a robust forum for relationship-building, collaboration and education among the professionals and consultants serving northeast Florida businesses. For more information, visit www.JaxBP.org.

A final budget hearing and vote are scheduled for Sept. 27. Florida budget in ‘good shape,’ but surpluses will dip. Tired of waiting for the San Marco train? Pilot program looks to help. Jaxport COO James Bennett on big moves at the port.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly recently helped break ground on a $2 billion mixed-use project dubbed one of the state’s largest in history — and it began with a country club. The Brookridge Golf and Fitness Club’s redevelopment was first proposed in 2014 and took more than nine years, several rezoning votes and $18 million in incentives to become reality. The development will ultimately feature 4.8 million square feet of office space, 2,000 apartments, two hotels, retail, and restaurant and entertainment venues alongside 100 acres of usable green space featuring fountains, recreational golf, fitness facilities and walking paths.

Here's what Dr. David Nelson had to say about UF Health's plan for the St. Johns County health care provider and its assets in St. Johns and Flagler counties. Rising Stars is an exciting new awards program by the Jacksonville Business Journal designed to recognize those who are on the ascent of their career.

Jacksonville Business Journal Editor Timothy Gibbons recently spoke with Justin Honeysuckle, CEO of TendedBar, for a segment of the Florida Business Minds podcast. Sponsored by TECO Peoples Gas, the audio series features candid conversations with top business leaders from the Orlando, South Florida, Tampa Bay and Jacksonville regions. Honeysuckle co-founded...

Jacksonville-based incubator and entrepreneurial hub PS27 is set to both expand in scope and in geography. PS27 Foundation announced it will be hosting a veterans forum in Gainesville at Santa Fe College Nov. 2 with the aim of taking existing veteran-owned smaller businesses to the next level.

The state-run insurer continues to add thousands of customers a week.

Splendor, a leading full-service agency headquartered in Red Bank, New Jersey, announced today that they have opened a second office in Jacksonville, FL. The company recently added a number of new people, strengthening their management, creative and operations teams. Along with the growth of personnel, Splendor also has taken on multiple engagements with clients outside of their home state of New Jersey. Earlier this year, Splendor began working with Shadowcat, creators of bespoke support vessels servicing the Superyacht industry. The client is based in Jacksonville, FL. “It was a natural move for us to set up shop in town with one of our most promising new accounts,” says Jay Sharfstein, Partner and Executive Creative Director. “And through this engagement, we have already made connections and engaged with several brands related to the Superyacht category.” Sharfstein will lead the team in Splendor’s JAX office in both business development and creative efforts. Splendor works extensively with Commercial Real Estate ventures around the country, as well as Architects, Engineers, and Contractors. “In markets where Real Estate is booming, business and commerce always follow,” explains Adam Taylor, Splendor’s Founder and CEO. “Jacksonville is solid financially, there are great incentive programs that make it attractive to businesses, and the residential growth the region is experiencing are all positive signals.” “I’ve attended events and conferences in Jacksonville, and Jay and I have toured the city extensively. I’ve been impressed by not only existing projects and momentum in the city, but also the people we have met. Folks like Elias Hionides from Petra, Matthew Clark’s team at Colliers, and Mike McDermott from Sleiman are all knowledgeable and dead-serious about business, but they also have tremendous passion for their city. That’s something we love to see as we venture into new markets.” Splendor attended the BISNOW State of the Market event in March, 2023 where Real Estate panelists Mike Balanky of Chase Properties and Matt Marshall of RISE: A Real Estate Company discussed the current and future pipeline of new projects, including multifamily, hospitality and logistics. Sharfstein adds, “Beyond the numbers and stats, the city is also booming culturally. Developers like Corner Lot and architects like Bold Line Design are doing some amazing work–projects that are inspiring connectivity and driving progress for the community.” With a solid Real Estate market, burgeoning cultural movement, and growing client base in the region, Jacksonville was a smart move for the 24-year-old creative agency. “We’re looking forward to networking more, connecting with like-minded businesses and growing our business in this great city,” said Sharfstein.

HCA Florida Memorial Hospital plans to revamp 2,650 square feet of existing space at its University Boulevard campus after a $3.7 million permit was approved by the city Thursday. Records show the hospital is planning a new bi-plane room, a type of hybrid operating suite, and MRI room. The work...