Politics

Florida has the ingredients for greatness, it just needs a game plan

Published

3 months ago

October 28, 2025

Miami Dolphins owner and real estate developer Stephen Ross says Florida’s future depends not just on growth, but on coordination.

Speaking at the Florida Chamber’s Future of Florida Forum, Ross told business leaders that the state’s next economic chapter will be written through deliberate partnerships between government, higher education and the private sector.

Florida’s “business-friendly” reputation is only the baseline. The real work lies in flipping that advantage into an enduring innovation ecosystem that keeps talent, research and capital in state.

Ross, also Chair of Related Companies and founder of Related Ross, returned often to the idea of the “Tech Gold Coast,” a connected innovation corridor stretching from Miami through Palm Beach. His blueprint blends private investment, educational anchors and livable design, and he believes it could scale statewide.

One of its centerpieces is Vanderbilt University’s new campus in West Palm Beach (the Nashville-based private institution stepped in after the University of Florida scrapped plans for a campus in the area), which will offer graduate degrees in business, engineering and other fields.

“At Related Ross, we see an extraordinary opportunity for Florida’s Tech Gold Coast through a public-private partnership. With ServiceNow’s AI Institute, Vanderbilt University’s 1,000-student graduate campus, and a growing tech ecosystem, we’re attracting talent and venture capital that drive innovation. This opportunity only succeeds with city, county, and state collaboration — ensuring Florida leads the nation in next-generation growth.”

He described the broader Palm Beach County projects now underway — millions of square feet of office, residential and retail space paired with a Cleveland Clinic hospital and the Vanderbilt campus — as a template for future economic zones that integrate education, health care, recreation and workforce housing into walkable communities capable of sustaining regional economies.

At his current vintage — “65 plus 20,” as interviewer and Shark Tank star Matt Higgins joked — Ross said he’s less focused on expansion than on institution-building. After decades leading one of the nation’s largest real-estate firms, he sees in Florida what he called a “rare alignment” of demographics, policy and momentum.

“I’ve seen Florida transform into a global center for talent, innovation, and commerce with companies like ServiceNow, Cleveland Clinic, BlackRock and Goldman Sachs expanding to South Florida. Today, thanks to public-private investments and a business-friendly spirit, Florida is setting the standard for growth and opportunity on the world stage,” Ross said.

That transformation, he continued, will only hold if the state pursues what he calls “responsive growth” — measured development that complements local character rather than erasing it. Housing is core to that philosophy, especially workforce housing, which Ross argues is both an economic and social necessity. His proposal calls for low-interest, short-term state loans to close financing gaps and make projects viable without creating permanent subsidies.

“Cities and developers have to work together to create neighborhoods people actually want to live in,” he said.

Ross argued that Florida’s innovation potential stretches well beyond tech startups. The state’s defense, health and advanced manufacturing sectors, particularly between the Space Coast and Palm Beach County, could become a national hub if coupled with university research and private R&D.

“If we connect what we already have with the institutions now coming here, Florida can become the nation’s most dynamic growth economy within a decade.”

He closed by reflecting on the purpose behind that push. “I’m not doing this out of necessity. At this stage of my life, I want to do something that’s never been done before — to make an impact that lasts.”

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Politics

Matt McCullough joins race to replace Matt Carlucci on Jacksonville City Council

Published

5 minutes ago

January 21, 2026

May Greene

A third candidate has joined the race in Jacksonville City Council at-large Group 4 to replace term-limited Matt Carlucci.

“After thoughtful discussions and with the support of my family, I am excited to officially announce my candidacy,” Matt McCullough said in a statement announcing his bid.

McCullough, a former Navy pilot who flew during the global war on terror in Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and Active Endeavor, and has received two Air Medals, Navy Commendation Medals, a Meritorious Service Medal, and recognition as both Combat Aircrew of the Year and Pilot of the Year.

He currently is North Florida’s Navy Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer, and believes that his military background is a unique value-add as he enters politics.

“As a veteran, I know what leadership and delivering results looks like. Jacksonville deserves a city government that works to put our residents first, keeps our neighborhoods safe, and invests responsibly in our future,” McCullough said. “I’ve had the honor of wearing our nation’s uniform and lead under pressure. I am ready to bring that leadership to City Hall on day one and continue my service on the Jacksonville City Council.”

Carlucci has yet to endorse in this race between three Republicans, in which a real front-runner has yet to emerge.

April Ethridge, an Army vet with an MBA, has raised just $1,550 after being in the race for the better part of 2025.

Andrew McCann, who made his career in medical services before he “made the pivotal decision to step away from corporate life to focus on his family, personal growth, and the betterment of Jacksonville,” raised and self-funded $13,100 since entering the race at the end of October.

Qualifying runs from noon on Jan. 11, 2027, to noon on Jan. 15, 2027. The First Election is March 9, 2027, while the General Election, which sees the top two finishers square off regardless of party label unless someone gets a majority in March, is May 18.

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Politics

Nicole Gomez Goldmeier, Jackie Arboleda promoted at LSN Partners

Published

37 minutes ago

January 21, 2026

May Greene

Two weeks after announcing its first round of 2026 promotions, LSN Partners is following up with a couple more as it continues expanding its local, state and federal practices.

Round 2 includes the elevation of Nicole Gomez Goldmeier to Chief Growth Officer and Jackie Arboleda to Chief Marketing and Community Relations Officer.

Gomez Goldmeier previously held the COO title at LSN Partners. In her new role, she will drive revenue growth and business development for the firm with a focus on strengthening long-standing client relationships, advancing expansion into key markets driven by client demand, and supporting strategic engagement.

She will remain actively involved in the firm’s Republican Governors and Mayors practice, reinforcing LSN’s position as a trusted bipartisan adviser.

“Nicole understands our clients and the public-sector landscape in a way that few people do,” said Alex Heckler, founder and Managing Partner of LSN Partners. “She has played a central role in how we build relationships, identify opportunities, and position the firm for long-term success. This role formalizes the work she has already been leading.”

Arboleda, meanwhile, will oversee the firm’s marketing, communications, brand positioning and community engagement, ensuring that LSN’s messaging, events and external presence reflect the firm’s strategic priorities and client-focused initiatives.

LSN said she will continue serving as a leader within the firm’s health care practice while working directly with clients as a project manager, adding that her dual focus on marketing leadership and project management strengthens the firm’s ability to deliver results to clients across markets nationwide.

“Jackie has helped shape how clients experience and engage with LSN and how the firm is perceived in the market,” Heckler said. “Her understanding of our clients, our culture, and our mission allows her to deliver results at the highest level, whether in our healthcare practice or driving the firm’s communications strategy.”

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Politics

Florida’s signature industry shows up for Tourism Day at the Capitol

Published

1 hour ago

January 21, 2026

May Greene

Tourism spending produces an estimated $2K in tax savings per Florida family, VISIT FLORIDA says.

Florida tourism and hospitality heavyweights will show up in force Wednesday at the Capitol to highlight the Sunshine State’s signature industry and make the case for continued state investment.

Groups participating in Florida Tourism Day at the Capitol include the Florida Attractions Association, Florida Association of Museums, Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, Florida RV Park and Campground Association, Destinations Florida, and VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s tourism marketing arm.

The cohort will spend the day meeting with lawmakers to emphasize the industry’s role as one of Florida’s primary economic drivers, top employers and major state revenue generators.

“The success of Florida’s tourism industry, and the economic and jobs benefits our state reaps from it, are the direct result of statewide and local tourism promotion efforts,” said Destinations Florida Executive Director Robert Skrob.

Florida Attractions Association President and CEO Bill Lupfer added, “Tourism is a cornerstone of Florida’s economy, supporting jobs, communities, and public services statewide. No destination in the world matches Florida’s number, quality and diversity of guest experiences or the cutting-edge service delivered by our attractions, making continued investment in tourism essential to sustaining our global leadership.”

According to a recent VISIT FLORIDA study, travelers spent a record $134.9 billion in the state in 2024 — up 3% from the prior year — and nearly all of it remained in Florida’s economy, with 59 cents of each dollar going directly to worker salaries. Meanwhile, tourism-related tax revenue reached $33.6 billion, while tourism-supported employment grew to 1.8 million jobs statewide.

VISIT FLORIDA President and CEO Bryan Griffin said the topline numbers translate to an estimated $2,000 in tax savings per Florida family, adding that his agency “remains diligently focused on partnering with Florida’s tourism industry and serving Florida’s residents through our important work.”

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