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  • SeaPort Manatee handled a record number of cargo in 2025

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    PALMETTO, Fla. — SeaPort Manatee is making waves, moving more cargo than ever before.

    The 55-year-old port handled nearly 12 million tons of cargo in fiscal year 2025, which concluded at the end of September.

    What You Need To Know

    • SeaPort Manatee handled 11.85 million tons of cargo in the 2025 fiscal year

    • This is an all-time record

    • Troy Layton, the Director of Operations and Maintenance at SeaPort Manatee, says there was new business this year that contributed to that record number

    It starts with customers like Carlos Diaz, the COO of World Direct Shipping.

    The international company uses four ports, but Seaport Manatee is its only American trade hub.

    “We concentrate on the Mexico–U.S. trade,” Diaz said.

    World Direct Shipping is one of SeaPort Manatee’s largest customers.

    “From Mexico, we’re shipping a lot of produce, a lot of appliances. There’s a lot of different fertilizer, phosphates, different chemicals,” he said. “We also ship lava, rocks for gardening. There’s just a whole host of things. And then from the United States, we’re shipping a lot of paper products.”

    As part of SeaPort Manatee’s 20-year vision plan, the facility will continue to expand its infrastructure to keep up with demand. (Spectrum News/Julia Hazel)

    Troy Layton, the Director of Operations and Maintenance at SeaPort Manatee, says there are several products that helped the port reach that record cargo amount this year — including produce and construction materials, along with two other high-volume products.

    “We’ve gotten a lot of new business recently with our bulk liquid and fuels — those have dramatically increased,” Layton said.

    A planned expansion has officials thinking even bigger for next year.

    As part of SeaPort Manatee’s 20-year vision plan, the facility will continue to expand its infrastructure to keep up with demand.

    SeaPort Manatee handled 11,855,828 tons of cargo in the 2025 fiscal year. (Spectrum News/Julia Hazel)

    SeaPort Manatee handled 11,855,828 tons of cargo in the 2025 fiscal year. (Spectrum News/Julia Hazel)

    “We’re looking to expand our container operations because we see that more cargo is moving toward containerization. So we’re going to build Phase Three of our container operation, and that’s another 16 acres to add to our tenants. We can bring in a higher volume of containers,” Layton said.

    As SeaPort Manatee continues to expand and grow, businesses like World Direct Shipping are excited for the future.

    Layton said they anticipate another increase in business when their container operation is complete. As they create more space, there will be more room for containers.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • 3 Brothers Boards brings visitors face-to-face with wildlife on Silver River

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    MARION COUNTY, Fla. — For more than 10,000 years, humans have been drawn to the serene waters of the Silver River near Ocala — a place where Florida’s ancient past still lingers.

    What You Need To Know

    • 3 Brothers Boards offers guided paddleboard tours on the Silver River, showcasing its crystal-clear waters and abundant wildlife

    • Visitors frequently encounter manatees and rhesus macaque monkeys, making it a unique eco-tourism destination in Florida

    • The company was founded 17 years ago by Justin Murray and his brothers, who began building their own high-quality paddleboards

    • Each board features the signature of their late brother Jason, honoring his memory and keeping him part of every journey

    When mastodons and giant ground sloths roamed the peninsula, the river was already a source of life.

    While those prehistoric giants have long disappeared, Silver River has become home to a new, unexpected variety of creatures that continue to awe visitors.

    “This river just has a wow factor,” said Justin Murray of 3 Brothers Boards, a Daytona paddleboard outfitter and tour company.

    The water is so clear that few of its aquatic inhabitants can remain hidden — including the gentle manatees often seen grazing beneath the surface.

    “So, the manatees eat hundreds of pounds of grass every single day,” Murray explained.

    Every week, Murray and his team guide guests through this pristine spring-fed waterway, using custom-made paddleboards — some with transparent bottoms offering an unmatched view of the river bottom below.

    “Being able to see them on the paddleboard is definitely way easier than when you’re lower to the water in a kayak,” he said.

    Murray and his brothers began their journey 17 years ago, inspired by the natural beauty surrounding them and a growing need for quality paddleboards.

    That idea launched 3 Brothers Boards.

    “This is the largest artesian spring in the state of Florida. We have over 550 million gallons of water come out of this spring — every single day,” Murray said.

    Though his younger brother Jason has since passed, his legacy lives on in every board.

    “If you look at the bottom of every board we’ve ever made, we have his handwritten signature that we got off his schoolwork just so he can be part of making the boards and part of that process. Like to think he’s with us every time we hit the water,” Murray said.

    The wildlife visible along the trip on the river is abundant — including deer, birds and pigs.

    In addition to manatees and birds, one unexpected group steals the spotlight: rhesus macaque monkeys. About 400 of them roam the area — descendants of monkeys accidentally released in the 1930s, contrary to the myth that they were part of Tarzan film productions.

    “The monkeys that we have here are rhesus monkeys. And for many years, people believed that the monkeys were here from the Tarzan films,” Murray said. “However, after looking into every Tarzan film that was filmed here, there was never any rhesus monkeys used in those films.”

    For Murray, the river is more than just a tour destination — it’s a sanctuary of natural wonder.

    “Most people who even live in Florida (in) their entire lives have never seen such a diverse array of wildlife in one spot,” he said.

    The 3 Brothers Boards store is located in Daytona Beach.

    For more on its paddleboard adventures, visit 3 Brothers Boards.

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    Randy Rauch

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  • Agriculture industry experts discuss challenges, future in Polk County

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — Florida has over 9 million acres of agricultural land, and according to the Florida Farm Bureau, over 300,000 of those acres are in Polk County.

    On Wednesday, the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce hosted farm owners and agriculture experts to discuss the future of farming in the county. Industry leaders discussed challenges and ways to evolve farming methods.

    What You Need To Know

    • Lakeland Chamber of Commerce held a chamber connection breakfast and expo about agribusiness and economic development

    • The chamber connection brought together agriculture industry leaders to talk about the future of agriculture in the county

    • Patsy Rogers owns ‘My Tiny Greens’ and spoke about challenges she faces as a small farmer


    Pasty Rogers, a small farm owner, was there and shared her experience.

    “There are challenges at every level,” she said. “The regulations that I struggle with as a small farm, they struggle with them on the large farm, but there are resources out there to help us.”

    Rogers grows vegetables indoors using a method known as microgreening. She started this during the pandemic, and like many great ideas, it started with a question.

    “If we only had rice and beans to eat, what could we grow ourselves that grows quickly and is nutrient dense,” Rogers said.

    Her business, “My Tiny Greens,” has grown from harvesting the greens for family members to now selling them to local businesses.

    It’s a journey that she says has proven to have a lot of benefits. “Microgreens have 4 to 40 times the nutrients as the adult plant,” she said.

    While her business isn’t as large as some farms in Polk County, she said it’s an industry that is growing.

    The latest Census of Agriculture reported that small farms accounted for 85% of all U.S. farms. It’s a number that local farmers are hoping to preserve.

    Industry leaders spoke Wednesday about agricultural challenges, including increased development and citrus greening. One big issue some large farm owners are trying to navigate is labor challenges.

    John Bedell, the president of H Visa Solutions, said it’s a big part that drives production.

    “What a lot of people don’t understand is as these people come in and there’s new regulations that change, seems like every year, you need someone in human resources that understands the three-quarter guarantee that’s required for the H-2A workers,” he said.

    While there are challenges in the industry, it also comes with economic benefits and the opportunity to immerse young growers into careers in agriculture.

    For Rogers, it’s an industry she believes will continue to grow and evolve over time.

    “I think there’s a need for small farmers,” she said. “I think we’re going to see more people doing container gardening, more indoor hydronics’.”

    Learning new methods to keep her community fed right from her home.

    The chamber connection also brought together Farm Credit of Central Florida, Fancy Farms Market and Polk State College educators to speak more on the agricultural growth in the area.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • Discovery Flight gives everyone the chance to fly a plane over Orlando

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    ORLANDO, Fla. — Thousands in the United States have earned their private pilot’s license, often after four to eight months of training — but you don’t need any of that to experience the thrill of flying a plane.

    What You Need To Know

    • Discovery Flights let people of any age, even without a license, take control of a small aircraft with an instructor
    • A 12-year-old named Simon recently flew over Lake Apopka and downtown Orlando during his hands-on aviation experience
    • The flight also includes a full pilot pre-check, teaching participants about safety and aircraft controls
    • Orlando Flight School offers these one-hour flights near the Orlando Executive Airport as part of an introductory flying program


    At Orlando Flight School, anyone can sign up for a discovery flight, which is a one-hour experience that lets you take the controls of a real aircraft, no license required.

    Flight instructor Parker Mayhorn recently helped 12-year-old Simon Rodriguez Gasca do just that.

    “I’m about to let a 12-year-old fly a plane,” Mayhorn said just before takeoff.

    Simon’s discovery flight began like any other — with safety checks and instructions through a headset.

    The two took off from Orlando Executive Airport, and shortly after, Simon was at the controls.

    “Some get a little bit nervous, but once you’re in the air for a good five minutes, you get used to it. And you know not many people can say they flew in a plane,” Mayhorn said.

    Simon piloted the plane over Lake Apopka and downtown Orlando, enjoying the view while learning to steer, turn and stay on course.

    “Flying the plane, there are some bumps that give you little goosebumps, but it’s actually very easy fun,” Simon said.

    Before ever getting off the ground, participants learn everything a licensed pilot does before takeoff.

    That includes checking fuel levels, control surfaces and safety protocols.

    “Take the flaps and put it all the way down. You remember how to check the quantity? Good. So right now, we’re taking a sample of the fuel to make sure we have the correct type of fuel and that there’s no contaminants,” Mayhorn said while instructing Simon during the pre-check.

    “You have to check everything to keep the plane and ourselves safe,” said Gasca.

    While flying may seem intimidating, Mayhorn says the controls of a small plane are actually simple to understand.

    “For example, over here you have your airspeed, which shows you how fast you’re going. Your altimeter, which shows you how high you are,” Mayhorn said while pointing to the control panel inside the plane.

    For Gasca, the experience was unforgettable.

    “I guess everybody should do it because it feels amazing,” he said.

    Orlando Flight School is next to the Orlando Executive Airport.

    For more information about discovery flights, visit Orlando Flight School.

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    Randy Rauch

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  • New tariffs impact High Point Furniture Market

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    HIGH POINT, N.C. — Over the next five days, 75,000 people are expected to visit “The Furniture Capital of the World,” High Point, for the Fall Furniture Market. 

    “This is the most important furniture show in the world,” said Eduardo Perez, president and CEO of Adriana Hoyos. 

    What You Need To Know

    • More than 75,000 people are expected to attend the High Point Furniture Market

    • It has a $6.7 billion impact on North Carolina’s economy

    • There’s a 25% tariff on imported vanities, kitchen cabinets as well as upholstered chairs, seats and sofas


    It’s considered to have the biggest economic impact of any event in North Carolina. 

    “$6.7 billion comes​​ to our state economy as a result of this show being here twice a year,” said Tammy Covington, president and CEO of the High Point Market Authority. “It’s great for our city. Market is in High Point’s DNA. We love to welcome our furniture friends back to High Point.”

    The semiannual event gives furniture industry leaders the chance to network with and collaborate with their peers and clients. Attendees can visit showrooms, learn key insights from industry experts and check out the latest home furnishings and trends. 

    “It’s about the brand,” Perez said. “It’s about the lifestyle. It’s about presenting what we think overall, that design is about. It’s about creating spaces, it’s not only about product.” 

    The fall market comes at an interesting time for the furniture industry. President Donald Trump recently imposed tariffs on specific wood products and components, citing national security and foreign trade practice concerns. Currently there’s a 25% tariff on imported vanities and kitchen cabinets as well as upholstered chairs, seats and sofas. Those tariffs could increase in the new year. 

    “Challenges are part of life,” Perez said. “It is what it is. We’re going to be very creative. In order to handle the tariffs, we manufacture in Ecuador as a fact. We are a vertically integrated company, perhaps like no other. We even have the forests. We grow our own trees. What we’re thinking now is also complementing our manufacturing here in the states.”

    “Retailers are exploring their options in terms of what’s out there and really understanding how our exhibitors are responding to the tariff issue,” Covington said. “The great thing about High Point is we’re where those conversations happen.”

    Industry leaders remain optimistic during this time of uncertainty. 

    “I really like that we can cooperate and give to the American market the best possible furniture as it used to be, the best quality,” Perez said.

    “I don’t anticipate it having any issues for April because folks really need to have exposure to this product,” Covington said. “They need to know what their options are in terms of sourcing, and High Point is where you do that.”

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    Zach Tucker

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  • Parc Center helps employees with disabilities thrive long-term

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    TAMPA, Fla. — October marks the 80th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and the U.S. Department of Labor is shining a light on this year’s official theme: “Celebrating Value and Talent.”

    What You Need To Know

    • National Disability Employment Awareness Month has an official theme: “Celebrating Value and Talent”

    • Parc’s Supported Employment Services program has helped nearly 100 people with disabilities find competitive employment

    • Success stories like Michelle Burger show the long-term impact and benefits of supportive employment


    It’s an impactful mission that Parc Center for Disabilities strives to accomplish all year long with its Supported Employment Services program, which champions nearly 100 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities out in the community with competitive employment.

    “With Supported Employment, it’s truly a win-win for the person we’re supporting and the business or employer,” said Brian Rothey, the Assistant Vice President of Adult Community Programs at Parc. “The employer is receiving someone who is going to show up happy every single day to their shift and stay on the job a whole lot longer than their non-disabled peers. They’re highly motivated and a pleasure to work around.”

    Michelle Burger, one of their success stories with nearly 25-years on the job at the VA’s Patriot Café, credits her long-term success in the workforce to the partnership between Parc and the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System.

    “It’s great having this job – helping the canteen and helping customers – if they need help,” said Burger who serves as a Veterans Canteen Service Associate at the Patriot Café. “It’s wonderful and they help me out, too, if I need it. I have good friends and a lot of buddies out here.”

    Veterans Canteen Service Associate Michelle Burger preparing to serve a veteran at the VA’s Patriot Cafe. (Spectrum News/Erica Riggins)

    In 2001, Burger was looking for a job to live with independence and prove that she was more than capable of doing the work; and decades later, Burger’s drive and dedication are still paying off professionally and personally.

    “She’s 100% fully integrated in the community. She lives independently. She has a lifelong partner. She was able to purchase her own home, which for a lot of us is a very big deal,” said Rothey.

    Veterans Canteen Service Chief Michelle Florida also describes Burger as a standout employee who consistently exceeds all job expectations.

    “She loves her job every day, loves her co-workers and is happy to be here,” said Florida. “In fact, there was small talk about her possibly retiring, but she declined because she enjoys working here.”

    Parc’s Supported Employment Services program also provides weekly career coaching to help encourage and assist Burger on the VA’s campus in St. Petersburg.

    “There’s this whole hidden population and talent pipeline within the community that we can tap into and provide. One of the biggest ways that our community and employers can support our mission is through partnerships and collaboration; any opportunity to have our voices heard and offer employment to the people that we serve is what we’re seeking this month and all year long,” said Rothey.

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    Erica Riggins

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  • Dunedin coin dealer nearly out of gold amid record demand

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    DUNEDIN, Fla. — Gold prices continue to increase dramatically and hit new all-time highs. 

    Since the beginning of the year, gold futures have gone up by about 50%, and it’s now valued at more than $4,000 per ounce. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Gold prices have continued to increase significantly

    • BGatorCoins, a Dunedin coin dealer, is nearly sold out of gold

    • A University of Tampa economics professor said as the dollar loses value and economic uncertainty increases, people are looking for alternative assets that will hold long-term value

    • The U.S. Commodity Futures Trade Commission has warned that gold and other precious metals are highly volatile


    BGatorCoins has been extremely busy for the last couple weeks.

    “I’ve been in the industry for 19 years, and I have never ever seen anything remotely approaching this level of demand,” said Zane Sturgeon, CEO of BGatorCoins.

    Sturgeon took over the Dunedin business from his dad last year.

    “It’s great, I get to interact with new people, I get to see a lot of interesting things,” he said.

    Lately, Sturgeon said he has seen a lot of new people, and many of them are gold buyers. On Saturday alone, BGatorCoins sold half a million dollars worth of gold.

    “Things got so busy that we did more business in a day than we did in the previous month, and that has been the case every day since two weeks ago, roughly,” Sturgeon said.

    University of Tampa economics professor John Dorrell said that it’s not that gold is getting more expensive, but the U.S. dollar is getting weaker. 

    “As they print more and more dollars, the value of the dollar decreases, the assets around it are valued in dollars. Gold is increasing in price because the dollar is decreasing in value,” he said.

    Dorrell said that as the dollar loses value and economic uncertainty increases, people are looking for alternative assets that will hold long-term value.

    “Nothing goes up or down in a straight line, but gold in the long term has an excellent track record of preserving economic value. That’s why gold is the ultimate store of value asset,” Dorrell said.

    That’s part of the reason why coin dealers, like Sturgeon, are almost sold out of gold and having a hard time getting it back on the shelf.

    “Most of the gold I have already is spoken for, and I’ve just been asking every other local coin dealer in the area that if they get any gold that they want to unload to please bring it to me,” Sturgeon said.

    The U.S. Commodity Futures Trade Commission has warned that gold and other precious metals are highly volatile. It said past performance is not a good predictor of future returns.

     

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    Tyler O’Neill

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  • Tarpon Springs approves boutique hotel to boost downtown growth

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    TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. — Tarpon Springs is taking new steps to attract more business and visitors to its downtown area. The city has already spent millions on a marketing campaign designed to bring more shops and foot traffic—and now, it’s finalizing plans for a new boutique hotel.

    What You Need To Know

    • A new boutique hotel will be built in downtown Tarpon Springs 

    • The hotel could have as many as 24 rooms and two to three stories tall

    • Final plans for the hotel are still in the works

    City leaders say one of the biggest complaints they hear is that there aren’t many places to stay in Tarpon Springs. Most hotels are located along U.S. 19, away from the city’s downtown. Officials hope the new hotel will give visitors a convenient place to stay and encourage more downtown spending.

    For the past 17 years, an empty lot in the heart of downtown has gone unused. That will soon change, with the city approving plans for a boutique hotel that will also include retail space. It will be located at 144 E. Tarpon Ave. 

    “It’s going to be right across the street, so we have the welcome mat out,” said Sara Rudd, manager at The Healing Hedge Witch, a nearby shop. “I think it’s excellent—it’s so good for the town. We need rooms right in town, and it will be walkable for people. It’s going to be a wonderful addition to our downtown district.”

    The planned hotel will total about 10,000 square feet and could be two or three stories tall, featuring up to 24 rooms and 4,600 square feet of retail space.

    “It’s a place for people to stay so they don’t have to be on 19, which has been somewhat of a complaint,” said City Commissioner Michael Eisner. He added that the entire city commission voted in favor of the project with no opposition. “We’re just going to iron out the small details and look forward to having it built probably in a year to two years.”

    City Manager Charles Rudd, who has led the push to bring more investment into Tarpon Springs, said the hotel represents an important step for the community.

    “It’s exciting for me, particularly with a $4 million investment in our downtown,” Rudd said. “Investment always attracts more investment, so I think it’s a great project.”

    The final design for the hotel is still being developed, but officials say it will fit in with the look and character of downtown Tarpon Springs.

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    Jeff Van Sant

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  • Code enforcement letters leave business owners concerned in Plant City

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    PLANT CITY, Fla. — Plant City leaders are working to enhance its downtown area. City leaders say that’s meant ensuring businesses are compliant with downtown codes.

    The city’s code enforcement has started providing businesses with a proactive courtesy letter that provides examples of code issues.

    What You Need To Know

    • Plant City businesses are receiving a letter from code enforcement about compliance requirements
    • Several businesses are concerned the strict codes could deter foot traffic
    • City leaders will host a meeting to talk about enhancing downtown in mid-November


    Inside Sandi Williams’ store is where she feels like a kid again. She’s the owner of Brick City Bricks, a Lego store that’s been in business for nearly eight years in the heart of downtown Plant City.

    But a letter she recently received from code enforcement concerned her.

    “If people do not know that we’re not open and we can’t display the signs that we’re open, then that would hurt our business tremendously. We would be another one downtown going out of business,” she said.

    The letter provides examples of common violations and areas of concern. From issues as minor as signs or flags overhanging sidewalks to something more significant, like an unpermitted sidewalk café.

    But Williams feels like the city is limiting how she can promote her business.

    “At first, it was the flag over the sidewalk, signage in the windows — they said they did not want us to do this per code, and also our open signs,” said Williams.

    City manager Bill McDaniel spoke out about the letter and why it was distributed.

    “The downtown merchants received a proactive courtesy letter providing examples of code issues that were being observed. They also received notice of a meeting we plan to hold in November to discuss positive improvements and investments that can be considered to further enhance our downtown environment for merchants, customers, and visitors,” he said.

    Business owner Samuel Kimmel believes this could deter customers from stopping by his business.

    “It’s just nice to have the nice signage the nice artwork and stuff, some of the buildings just look amazing, and for them to try and take that away, I’m just not into so much,” he said.

    He runs Carlson Gracie Plant City Jiu-Jitsu, which has been serving people of all ages for 11 years. While he understands following the codes, he wants things to change, too.

    “We’re here for the town, for our community. Why make it hard on the small businesses?” he said.

    Local businesses hope they can continue to breathe life into downtown and believe strict code enforcement isn’t the answer.

    As of right now, McDaniel says no citations have been given, but he said there will be a meeting to discuss improvements to downtown, which is scheduled for mid-November.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • Tarpon Springs distillery struggles amid rising costs and consumer habits

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    TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. — U.S. liquor distillers say the industry is being squeezed by changing customer habits and tariffs.

    What You Need To Know

    • The U.S. liquor industry is facing tough times due to changing customer habits and tariffs

    • Exports have also plummeted, impacting demand from markets like Canada and the EU

    • A Tarpon Springs distiller remains hopeful that tourists and locals will return

    Barry and Lisa Butler, who own and operate the Tarpon Springs Distillery, say business is tough right now.

    “I think there’s a lot of downward pressure on the whole, not only distillery but brewery industry in general,” Barry said.

    Barry points to younger people drinking less alcohol and instead opting for alternatives like CBD drinks. On top of that, he says the slowing economy and inflation are taking their toll.

    Prices for materials like metal and copper used in the distilling process have gone up, along with small items such as plastic cups.

    “Bottles are up 50 percent since pre-COVID between transportation and the cost of that,” Barry said. “Packaging and labels are up probably 60 to 70 percent over what they were pre-COVID.”

    He says he has seen other distilleries close, especially as demand decreases. According to the Distilled Spirits Council, exports have also dropped significantly, with an 85 percent decline to Canada and a 12 percent decrease to the European Union.

    While Tarpon Springs Distillery doesn’t export, Barry added that one of the biggest drops in customer traffic comes from Canadian tourists, who once flocked to the area but have dwindled since the start of the trade war.

    Despite the challenges, Barry remains hopeful that tourists and locals will return. He believes the business will make it through these rough times, though he remains cautious about where the industry is headed.

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    Jeff Van Sant

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  • St. Pete tea company deals with uncertainty around tariffs

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Nearly all imported teas are subject to a tariff, but a recent executive order from President Donald Trump could remove reciprocal tariffs from many products that cannot be grown in the U.S. in future trade negotiations.

    That includes some teas; however, the president specifically wrote his willingness to modify tariffs “will depend on numerous factors.”

    What You Need To Know

    • President Donald Trump signed an executive order that could narrow the scope of what imports are tariffed

    • The excluded items cannot be made or grown in the U.S.

    • Tea and coffee are on the list

    • One local business has adjusted to the tariffs but is still dealing with uncertainty


    “We’re not counting on anything, but it would be really great to see that come to fruition and to allow products like tea and coffee that really aren’t grown at scale the United States at all, and really have no domestic market, available without a tariff,” the order said.

    Abigail StClair, founder and owner of TeBella Tea Company in St. Petersburg, is watching all of this closely, as in recent years, matcha tea has surged in popularity.

    “We go through almost 200 pounds of matcha a month, so that’s a lot of matcha,” said StClair.

    That’s about 10,000 cups across TeBella’s four locations and wholesale customers. Matcha sales have been increasing since StClair founded the tea business in 2010.

    “It’s always been about the ritual for me. I love the moment that you take to sit and relax and kind of celebrate all that there is to enjoy and to love about tea,” she said.

    The rising global demand has led to concerns of shortages, but StClair said they aren’t worried about their supply at the moment. Right now, she is more concerned about the uncertainty surrounding tariffs. 

    “We currently import on any given day from about 13 different countries, so it’s a lot to keep track of,” she said.

    StClair said the unpredictability is the greatest challenge. She said it’s hard determining how much of a product to buy. 

    “I’ve had several instances where when I’m purchasing and when I’m receiving, the tariffs have changed, and that’s hard to predict. It’s hard to budget for that,” StClair said.

    In November, the Supreme Court will consider whether President Trump has the power to impose sweeping tariffs.

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    Tyler O’Neill

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  • Let’s Plant It teaches customers about plant parenthood in Brevard County

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    VIERA, Fla. — Some 200 million Americans own at least one houseplant. That is 66% of the population, according to Statista.

    What You Need To Know

    • Let’s Plant It is a retail location where visitors come in and learn the proper way to pot, plant and maintain houseplants

    • Visitors can walk in, pick a pot, a plant and put it together themselves using a shovel and dirt and then decorate it with accessories

    • The store offers a wide variety of plant species from which to choose

    • There are two locations, including Viera and Melbourne


    Many people call themselves “plant parents,” a term that first surfaced from the millennial generation in 2010 often referring to their plants as children or pets.

    Laura Cage jokes about being the biggest “pot dealer” in Brevard County, referring to the number of potted plants she sells each month.

    “I love plants,” Cage said.

    She has turned a passion for potted plants into a place where anyone can come get their hands dirty.

    Guests can walk in without a reservation and go to work planting their favorite houseplant.

    “We do get a lot of first-time plant parents that come in. They want to get into plants, but they’re a little bit afraid,” Cage said. “So, they’re not sure. And this is a great place to get started.”

    Let’s Plant It has everything someone would need to build the perfect houseplant. 

    There are several stations where guests stand and scoop potting soil into pots they choose, along with accessories such as shells and rocks to bring accent to the final creation.

    Cage created the concept not only for her love of plants but also realizing that many people don’t know how to pot plants properly and keep them alive.

    “They all get to pick out their plants and pots and decorations. But in the end, everybody has created something that is unique to them,” Cage said.

    The plant lover tries to handpick as many plant species as possible that she sells in her shop. Cage visits nurseries across Central Florida looking for one-of-a-kind plants that will intrigue store guests to grow.

    One of her top sellers is the Swiss cheese plant known as Monstera deliciosa.

    “I think they like the uniqueness of the holes in them,” Cage said.

    The popular shop even has a candle bar for those who want to create something that smells good and needs no water.

    The shop is open to all ages.

    There are two locations, one in Melbourne and the other in the shops at the Avenue of Viera.

    For more, visit Let’s Plant It.”

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    Randy Rauch

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  • Lingering hotel and rental closures impact bed tax collections in Pinellas

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    ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. — Bed tax collections in Pinellas County have been down for two months in a row with a major contributing factor coming from hotels and short term vacation rentals which have remained closed since last year’s hurricanes, according to Visit St. Pete-Clearwater.

    What You Need To Know

    • St. Pete Beach currently has four large hotels which have not yet reopened

    • Those hotels include The Postcard Inn, The Beachcomber, The Bellwether and the Dolphin Resort

    • The Beachcomber will reopen on Oct. 30

    • Bed tax collections in Pinellas County were down for June and July 


    “The majority of the shortfall is coming from… vacation rentals and some of our lower areas of Pinellas County,” said Eddie Kirsch, VSPC Dir. Digital and Data. “St. Pete Beach and a little bit of Madeira and Treasure Island areas as well.”

    St. Pete Beach currently has four large hotels that have not yet reopened. These include The Postcard Inn, The Beachcomber, The Bellwether and the Dolphin Resort. According to the latest VSPC data, 704 rooms remain closed in St. Pete Beach, with only 66 percent of the hotels open.

    “The Postcard’s coming back, the Beachcomber’s coming back. We all expect those pretty soon,” said Charlie Justice, Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce Pres. & CEO. “The Bellwether’s still a little bit longer term, the Dolphin still a little bit longer term. And so we’re seeing it’s a long haul for some of these folks.”

    The Beachcomber has confirmed it will reopen on October 30.

    “Since closing, the iconic property that’s home to the legendary Jimmy B’s Beach Bar has restored its hurricane-damaged areas,” stated spokesperson Jessica Milton. “Including its first-floor guest rooms, meeting and event spaces, hotel lobby, swimming pool, and courtyard.”

    Justice said The Bellwether was severely damaged by the hurricanes and he expects the hotel to reopen in 2026.

    “They had so much of their infrastructure in the lower levels where the sand and the water infiltrated everything,” he said. “The damage was worse than they thought. So this does take a little bit longer.”

    At the Tourist Development Council meeting in August, it was revealed that bed tax collections were unusually down.

    “The TDT collections in June of 2025 was just shy of $7.5 million,” said Kirsch. “This was a little bit irregular from the previous few fiscal years for June. Ultimately, it was down about 12.2%.”

    Kirsch also said demand has slowed a lot in many areas of Florida. The Tourist Development Tax collections for July, the most recent data VSPC has available, showed the month was down 9.8% from the previous year. The total fiscal year to date TDT collections are down 5.46%.

    While the overall numbers have been down recently, Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector pointed out that some areas of Pinellas County are still doing well.

    “Dunedin, St. Pete and Clearwater had a really good month,” he said. “We spent as a city $85 million to get back quickly.”

    According to VSPC, 94.8% of hotel rooms in Pinellas County are open. Captain Dylan Hubbard, the owner of Hubbard’s Marina at John’s Pass in Madeira Beach, said his business had its best June ever.

    “It’s tough because right to our south, right to our north, we have neighbors that are suffering,” he said. “So it’s hard to be on top of a mountaintop screaming, ‘Hey, this is the best year ever. We’re doing great.’ When other people around us still haven’t been able to open up or haven’t been able to recover or are still struggling.”

    Justice said the hotel closures in the south Pinellas County have caused a major drop in foot traffic, which has been affecting nearby businesses. He’s encouraging locals to visit those beach towns.

    “Be a tourist in your own hometown,” he said. “Come out to the beaches and enjoy what the tourists get to enjoy.”

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    Josh Rojas

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  • Ron DiMenna, founder of Ron Jon Surf Shop, has died at age 88

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    COCOA BEACH, Fla. — Ron Jon Surf Shop founder Ron DiMenna passed away Saturday at the age of 88.

    What You Need To Know

    • Ron Jon Surf Shop founder Rob DiMenna died Saturday at 88 years old

    • DiMenna opened his second store in Cocoa Beach in the 1960s

    • The store has grown to 52,000 square feet and celebrates surfing and beach culture

    • He and his wife, Lynne, founded the Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation to protect Florida’s beaches and address coastal issues

    DiMenna founded the original Ron Jon’s in 1959 on Long Beach Island, N.J., and opened the first store there in 1961. By 1963, he opened his second store, the “One-of-a-Kind” Ron Jon Surf Shop, at Canaveral Pier in Cocoa Beach. That store is now a 52,000-square-foot celebration of beach and the surfing culture and equipment as well as a tourist destination. Since then, seven shops have been opened in Florida — including at Disney Springs, in Clearwater Beach and in Key West — and throughout the South.

    Ron Jon’s also has been involved with the annual Beach and Boards Fest, which had to be canceled this year because of a beach rejuvenation project. 

    DiMenna has a home on Merritt Island and remained a private person.

    He and his wife, Lynne, founded Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation, a 501(c)3 charitable organization that supports organizations with like-minded missions to protect the health of Florida’s beaches and address issues such as coastal pollution and beach ecology. It raises funds through the sales of Florida’s Endless Summer specialty license plates and the Ron Jon Surf Shop’s philanthropic work. Those organizations also help support the Brevard Zoo and Special Olympics Florida.

    “Ron was known as a free spirit and his love for the beach and the sport of surfing endured throughout his life,” Ron Jon Surf Shop President Michelle Goodwin said in a statement. “He lived life on his own terms and created a retail empire that remains one of the most successful beach shopping destinations in the country. The Ron Jon Surf Shop Corporation will continue to function as it has and nothing will change in the company’s day-to-day operations. Ron’s vision and legacy will live on for generations through Ron Jon Surf Shop and Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation.”

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Ron DiMenna, founder of Ron Jon Surf Shop, has died at age 88

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    COCOA BEACH, Fla. — Ron Jon Surf Shop founder Ron DiMenna passed away Saturday at the age of 88.

    What You Need To Know

    • Ron Jon Surf Shop founder Rob DiMenna died Saturday at 88 years old

    • DiMenna opened his second store in Cocoa Beach in the 1960s

    • The store has grown to 52,000 square feet and celebrates surfing and beach culture

    • He and his wife, Lynne, founded the Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation to protect Florida’s beaches and address coastal issues

    DiMenna founded the original Ron Jon’s in 1959 on Long Beach Island, N.J., and opened the first store there in 1961. By 1963, he opened his second store, the “One-of-a-Kind” Ron Jon Surf Shop, at Canaveral Pier in Cocoa Beach. That store is now a 52,000-square-foot celebration of beach and the surfing culture and equipment as well as a tourist destination. Since then, seven shops have been opened in Florida — including at Disney Springs, in Clearwater Beach and in Key West — and throughout the South.

    Ron Jon’s also has been involved with the annual Beach and Boards Fest, which had to be canceled this year because of a beach rejuvenation project. 

    DiMenna has a home on Merritt Island and remained a private person.

    He and his wife, Lynne, founded Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation, a 501(c)3 charitable organization that supports organizations with like-minded missions to protect the health of Florida’s beaches and address issues such as coastal pollution and beach ecology. It raises funds through the sales of Florida’s Endless Summer specialty license plates and the Ron Jon Surf Shop’s philanthropic work. Those organizations also help support the Brevard Zoo and Special Olympics Florida.

    “Ron was known as a free spirit and his love for the beach and the sport of surfing endured throughout his life,” Ron Jon Surf Shop President Michelle Goodwin said in a statement. “He lived life on his own terms and created a retail empire that remains one of the most successful beach shopping destinations in the country. The Ron Jon Surf Shop Corporation will continue to function as it has and nothing will change in the company’s day-to-day operations. Ron’s vision and legacy will live on for generations through Ron Jon Surf Shop and Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation.”

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Floridians eagerly await savings on hunting, camping, fishing supplies

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    PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — On the heels of Florida’s Back to School Sales Tax Holiday that just ended in August, a new sales tax holiday will take effect next week with hunters, campers and fishermen in mind.

    What You Need To Know

    • Florida’s new sales tax holiday that targets outdoor enthusiasts runs from Sept. 8 to Dec. 31

    • Firearms, ammunition, and outdoor gear will be tax exempt for the first time

    • Floridians are expected to save $44.8 million during this period


    During the nearly four-month time frame from Sept. 8 until Dec. 31, the Hunting, Fishing and Camping Sales Tax Holiday is expected to save Floridians $44.8 million, according to the Florida Department of Revenue.

    It’ll be the first time firearms, ammunition and related accessories are tax exempt in the state of Florida.

    Nearly 100 customers of the gun shop at Bill Jackson’s Shop for Adventure in Pinellas Park got creative and took early steps to secure their items, according to supervisor Russ Abston.

    “We’ve had customers come in looking for particular products knowing that the tax free holiday is going to start on Sept. 8, and they’ve been putting things on layaway to actually lock down that item, so they can get it tax free when the holiday starts,” said Abston.

    “For example, if you’re buying a $1,000 handgun, rifle or shotgun, which is the average firearm purchase in our shop, you would save $70, and that’s money that can be spent on something else to help stimulate the economy in other places,” Abston added.

    There’s a strong chance you’ll find 74-year-old Charlie Kent, along with his 79-year-old brother Howard, on the gun range at Bill Jackson’s most days of the week.

    “We come with one of the guys from Seminole First Baptist Church, and we come down as a group to have the chance to get together and socialize and have good thoughts together,” said Charlie Kent, a retired firearms instructor and law enforcement officer who served nearly 30-years at the Indian Shores Police Department.

    “I think a bunch of us are waiting to buy ammo,” he continued.

    There’s a wide range of hunting, fishing and camping items that are tax exempt, including rods and reels under $75, sleeping bags under $50 and tents under $200.

    There is no spending cap for most items you would find in a gun shop.

    “We live in the state of Florida with a lot of sportsmen, so this is going to be a great thing. It’s going to be huge. It’s going to increase business, and it’s going to save people a lot of money,” said Abston.

    For the full list of exempt items during the sales tax holiday, effective Sept. 8 through Dec. 31, click here.

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    Erica Riggins

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  • Aerospace supplier Chromalloy expands in Oldsmar, bringing 400 new jobs

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    OLDSMAR, Fla. — Aerospace supplier Chromalloy has been part of the Tampa Bay region for nearly 40 years. Now, with the opening of a new site in Oldsmar, the company is adding more than 400 manufacturing jobs to its local workforce.

    The expansion is part of Chromalloy’s continued investment in the region, where it already employs about 800 people across three facilities. Worldwide, the company has more than 4,000 employees.

    What You Need To Know

    • With the opening of a new site in Oldsmar, Chromally is adding more than 400 manufacturing jobs to its local workforce.

    • The expansion is part of Chromalloy’s continued investment in the Tampa Bay region, where it already employs about 800 people across three facilities. Worldwide, the company has more than 4,000 employees.

    • To meet the growing demand for skilled labor, Chromalloy is partnering with AmSkills, a local nonprofit apprenticeship program that helps recruit and train manufacturing talent.

    • The company expects to grow its regional workforce to more than 1,200 over the next five years.


    Director of Operations Andrew Snyder says the company’s culture sets it apart.

    “You know, along with pay, there’s a lot of other great reasons to work here,” Snyder said. “We have a great family atmosphere. We love to celebrate accomplishments with our team, and we promote from within.”

    Snyder has seen that opportunity firsthand.

    “I’ve been with Chromalloy for 13 years now. This is actually the fifth different site I’ve worked at along the East Coast,” he explained. “Again, speaks volumes for Chromalloy; our innovation and ability to develop employees and promote them within,” said Snyder. 

    The company builds turbine engine parts used in commercial aircraft, power generation, and data centers. Those parts also help back up renewable energy when solar and wind power aren’t available.

    “We take a lot of pride in continuing to push the boundaries of technology and efficiency in turbine engines,” Snyder added.

    Inside the Oldsmar facility, Snyder points to the advanced equipment making it possible.

    “A lot of what we do is high technology, high quality,” he said. “We have some of our advanced machining centers over against this back wall.”

    Chromalloy leaders say this expansion reflects both growth and its long-term commitment.

     “This expansion not only deepens our roots in the Tampa Bay area, but also reinforces our commitment to innovation, excellence, and creating high-quality manufacturing jobs for the local community,” said General Manager Mike Zerbe.

    The company expects to grow its regional workforce to more than 1,200 over the next five years.

    To meet the growing demand for skilled labor, Chromalloy is partnering with AmSkills, a local nonprofit apprenticeship program that helps recruit and train manufacturing talent.

    For Snyder, that partnership ensures opportunities are accessible.

    “Engineers. Technicians. Machinists,” he said, listing off the roles that are in demand.

    Chromalloy’s Oldsmar site enhances the company’s advanced coating and machining capabilities and complements its existing facilities in Tampa. Together, the three locations create a vertically integrated supply chain for turbine engine components — strengthening both the company’s efficiency and its footprint in Florida.

    With the expansion, Snyder says, the company is focused on one goal: keeping Tampa Bay at the center of high-tech manufacturing.

     

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    Fadia Patterson

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  • Businesses in downtown New Port Richey remain open amid makeover

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    NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — Construction has begun on a popular area within downtown New Port Richey.

    What You Need To Know

    • Construction on Nebraska Avenue has begun, reshaping the popular area into the Railroad Square Improvement Project

    • As construction takes shape, access to a few local businesses is limited, but business owners want you to know that they are still open

    • Part of the project will see overhead service lines go underground, along with improvements to both hardscape and landscape

    • The Railroad Square Improvement Project is currently in phase one of construction, with total construction expected to be completed by March 2026


    It’s part of the Railroad Square Improvement Project, which will redesign portions of Nebraska Avenue in downtown. As construction takes shape, access to a few local businesses is limited. But business owners want people to know that they are still open.

    Down the neatly organized aisles of Wright’s Natural Market, owner Jeff Wright is doing what he loves best.

    “We are New Port Richey’s neighborhood grocery store,” says Wright.

    For more than 30 years, Wright’s Natural Market has been a staple of New Port Richey.

    “We were out on US-19 for 23 years, and so when the opportunity came, we wanted to be downtown with more foot traffic,” said Wright. “So we think this is a great location.”

    The market backs up to Nebraska Avenue, which is going through a bit of a makeover.

    “I think it’s just another step in the revitalization that the city has been working on that started with Sims Park and down Grand, where the new fire station is going,” said Wright. “I think that it’s just another step … to make it more pedestrian friendly and more event friendly.”

    Railroad Square is a $4.2 million investment, part of the city’s Community Redevelopment Authority. But the project is making it a little tight for people trying to get to nearby businesses.

    “You can see it makes it difficult for pedestrians to get to some of the businesses and to walk down the street,” said Wright, while pointing out some of the more restricted areas. “We just need people to have some patience, work together and make room for each other.”

    Part of the project will see overhead service lines go underground. Along with improvements to both hardscape and landscape, it will make for a more attractive space for visitors.

    “It sets a new standard for New Port Richey in terms of the amenities that we’ll be offering,” said City Manager Debbie Manns. “People have started to notice our downtown, but it isn’t a place as much as it should be that people just go to on their own.”

    Shining a brighter light on the city’s businesses in time.

    “I think it’s going to be very good in the long term,” said Wright. “It’s going to help activate the space and going to benefit all of the businesses that are on this block, as well as others and nonprofits that want to do events or put on events downtown. It gives them more space to do that.”

    The Railroad Square Improvement Project is currently in phase one of construction. Total construction is expected to be completed by March of next year.

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • Cortez business aims to help its community with storytelling T-shirts

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    CORTEZ, Fla. — Step by step, Megan Brandon is creating something new.

    She and her family started Cortez Clothing Company in May. Each shirt shows a design relating to the Cortez community.

    What You Need To Know

    • Cortez Clothing Company was started by Megan Brandon and her family in May

    • The company sells T-shirts featuring designs related to the Cortez community

    • Profits are split between local families, charities, and events to give back

    • Shirts can be purchased on their website and at the Ace Hardware in Cortez

    “This was the Albion Inn, and it was on the waterfront in Cortez,” she said while showing off one of the shirts. “It was a boarding house. Fishermen would stay … we have a cool story about it on our website.”

    But this clothing company is more than just a business — it’s a way to give back.

    “We wanted to start it just to help our community. Basically, we spent the hurricanes here with everybody, and we felt like they needed help,” Brandon said.

    It’s aid that will come from selling T-shirts that tell a personal story of Cortez residents.

    “We would like to partner with actual Cortezians and people that grew up here. And their families are from here,” she said.

    Brandon said her company is partnering with local residents and businesses. A unique design is created — then from there, it’s all about promoting their story to sell the shirts.

    “We donate our percentage, our third of the shirt. And then your family or whoever the partner is gets a third, and then we pick a Cortez-based charity or event that would get the third third,” she said.

    They have already teamed up with one local charter captain, and next month they will start selling the shirt.

    “I’d like it to help, you know, the Maritime Museum and the fish preserve and, you know, all the stuff around here that helps preserve Cortez,” Brandon said.

    Brandon is showing her love for her community — by helping her fellow neighbors.

    You can buy Cortez Clothing Company T-shirts from their website and the Ace Hardware in Cortez.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Tampa cattle company weighs in on high beef prices

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    PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — For 15 years, Providence Cattle Company has been raising cows for harvest.

    In those years, owner Joe Planz said they’ve seen the business change drastically, not just in how they raise their cows but when it comes to prices.

    “What we do is hard work, but it’s very rewarding,” he said.

    What You Need To Know

    • Providence Cattle Company has seen major cost increases for processing and storage

    • National data shows a significant rise in beef prices over the past decade

    • Other contributing factors include fewer cows and increased diesel, feed, and hay prices


    After the pandemic, the processing plant Planz used raised its price 100%, blaming the increase on higher wages.

    Then he got a similar message from the warehouse where their beef is stored.

    That price increase was 115%.

    “Two of our major costs just doubled,” Planz said. “Now I can’t go to my customer and say, ‘Hey, that pound of ground beef you had last week is now double the amount.’ We wouldn’t have any business.”

    What Planz has seen locally parallels national data.

    In June 2015, ground beef cost $4.22 per pound. Ten years later, the price is up to $6.12, a 45% increase. The price increase for uncooked beef steaks is similar.

    Planz said other factors have contributed to the price increase, including around 10 million fewer cows, bulls and calves in the country plus the price of diesel, feed and hay all going up.

    “The price of beef has never been this high,” he said. “I can get twice as much for a calf this year than I did, let’s say, ten, 15 years ago. I can get twice as much, but all my costs are twice as much.”

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    Matt Lackritz

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