Member News
Florida Chamber of Commerce member press releases/updates.
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	Sep- 2025 -5 SeptemberMiller Electric Company Triumphs at ABC’s Excellence in Construction Awards with Six HonorsJacksonville, FL — Miller Electric Company has been honored with six prestigious awards at the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) First Coast Chapter Excellence in Construction (EIC) Awards. Recognized widely as the industry’s leading competition for contracting excellence, the EIC Awards celebrate projects that embody innovation, high-quality execution, and exceptional collaboration. The first standout project was the Jacksonville International Airport (JIA) TSA Security Expansion, which earned Miller Electric the coveted Eagle Award. As a key… Read More »
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	5 SeptemberUniversity of Florida Establishes AI Center to Advance Agricultural InnovationThe University of Florida (UF) is launching a state-of-the-art Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture at its Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) in Balm, Florida. This initiative aims to revolutionize Florida’s agriculture by integrating AI and robotics to address challenges such as rising production and labor costs. The new center will occupy 40,000 square feet and serve as a hub for AI-driven agricultural research and development. Researchers will focus on automating tasks… Read More »
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	5 SeptemberTampa General Hospital Foundation Announces Transformative Gift to Create a New Hybrid Operating RoomTampa, FL — On August 20, 2025, the Tampa General Hospital (TGH) Foundation announced a transformative donation from the Jenkins Charitable Foundation that will fund the creation of a cutting-edge hybrid operating room. With a price tag just under $10 million, this advanced surgical suite—fusing traditional operating capabilities with high-end interventional imaging—will enhance care for patients undergoing complex vascular procedures. A key highlight of this initiative is the innovation it enables in surgical care. The… Read More »
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	5 SeptemberBoys & Girls Clubs of Broward County Unveil Symbolic Panther Sculpture for Panthers on the Prowl CampaignDavie, Florida (September 4, 2025) – Four young artists from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County’s Rita & Rick Case Club dedicated four weeks to decorating a panther sculpture generously donated by Rita Case, president and CEO of Rick Case Automotive Group. The artwork is part of Panthers on the Prowl, an initiative launched in collaboration with the American Cancer Society and Florida Panthers President Bill Zito and his wife Julie. Panthers… Read More »
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	5 SeptemberUSF Introduces Pioneering Undergraduate Program in Health Care SimulationThe University of South Florida (USF) is launching the world’s first undergraduate concentration in Health Care Simulation Operations, aiming to address the growing demand for professionals skilled in simulation-based medical training. This innovative program, starting in Fall 2025, is designed to enhance patient safety and care quality through advanced simulation technologies. Offered through the USF College of Public Health, in collaboration with the USF Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS), this concentration is… Read More »
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	5 SeptemberBoys & Girls Clubs of Broward County Unveil Symbolic Panther Sculpture for Panthers on the Prowl CampaignFour young artists from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County’s Rita & Rick Case Club dedicated four weeks to decorating a panther sculpture generously donated by Rita Case, president and CEO of Rick Case Automotive Group. The artwork is part of Panthers on the Prowl, an initiative launched in collaboration with the American Cancer Society and Florida Panthers President Bill Zito and his wife Julie. Panthers on the Prowl merges art, community and… Read More »
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	5 SeptemberCirrus Aircraft Expands Operations at Kissimmee Gateway AirportCirrus Aircraft is expanding its presence at Kissimmee Gateway Airport (KISM) in Florida, enhancing its services to meet the growing demand for personal aviation. The expansion includes the construction of a new 12,000-square-foot hangar and the addition of over 100 jobs, reinforcing Central Florida’s position as a hub for aviation innovation. Cirrus Aircraft is investing in a new 12,000-square-foot hangar at Kissimmee Gateway Airport. This facility will serve as a service and warranty center, supporting… Read More »
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	5 SeptemberDisney Sprinkles ‘Pixie Dust’ on Florida Classrooms with 500,000-Supply Donation DriveFlorida’s teachers and students are heading into the new school year with an extra dose of Disney magic. On August 19, 2025, Walt Disney World concluded its largest VoluntEARS initiative of the summer—its Back-to-School Supply Drive—at the ESPN Wide World of Sports, where more than 200 cast members gathered to sort over 135,000 donated school supplies for A Gift for Teaching, a long-time nonprofit partner serving educators in Orange, Osceola, Lake, Seminole, and Polk counties.… Read More »
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	5 SeptemberComcast Opens $5.9 Million Regional Headquarters in West Palm BeachComcast has inaugurated its new Florida Regional Headquarters in West Palm Beach, marking a significant investment in the community and its operations across the state. The $5.9 million facility is designed to enhance employee collaboration and customer service. The new headquarters spans 42,000 square feet, with 34,000 square feet fully renovated to include modern features that foster creativity, innovation, and employee well-being. In conjunction with the opening, Comcast celebrated by supporting local initiatives. Employees assembled 300… Read More »
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	4 SeptemberDuke Energy Fuels Florida Growth with Site Readiness Program Supporting Six New Development SitesSt. Petersburg, FL — Duke Energy has selected six properties across Florida for its 2025 Site Readiness Program, aimed at preparing business and industrial sites for economic development and positioning them for expansion opportunities. Since launching the initiative in 2013, the program has evaluated 60 sites, spurred nearly $493 million in capital investments, and contributed to 1,950 new jobs statewide. The Site Readiness effort brings together top-tier consultants—including Zev Cohen & Associates, Kolb Design Group,… Read More »
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	4 SeptemberMike Burtov Appointed New Executive Director of NSU’s Levan Center of InnovationMike Burtov has been appointed as the new Executive Director of the Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation, succeeding Dr. John Wensveen. This transition marks a significant step in the center’s mission to foster entrepreneurship and innovation in South Florida. Mike Burtov takes over from Dr. John Wensveen, who led the center through several years of growth and program development. Burtov inherits a well-established platform with a robust network of startups, investors,… Read More »
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	4 SeptemberHelios Education Foundation awards $500,000 in scholarships during 20th anniversary celebrationSt. Petersburg, FL — On April 15, 2025, the Helios Education Foundation marked its 20th anniversary with a celebratory scholarship event at the Tampa Museum of Art. As part of the festivities, Helios awarded $500,000 in Pathway Scholarships to 20 community college transfer students across Florida. This initiative underscores Helios’s enduring commitment to expanding access to higher education. Beyond the immediate award, the event also highlighted the broader legacy of Helios’s investment in education. Over… Read More »
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	4 SeptemberDaubmann Family Businesses MY Shower Door and D3 Glass Earn Spots on 2025 Inc. 5000 ListMY Shower Door and its sister company, D3 Glass, both owned by the Daubmann family, have been recognized on the 2025 Inc. 5000 list, which honors the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. MY Shower Door secured its place for the ninth time in 11 years, while D3 Glass made the list for the third consecutive year. MY Shower Door, founded in 2003, specializes in designing, manufacturing, installing, and warranting frameless shower doors and enclosures. The company… Read More »
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	4 SeptemberUSF Researchers Develop AI Tool to Detect PTSD Signs in ChildrenResearchers at the University of South Florida (USF) have pioneered an innovative approach to identifying post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children by utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze facial expressions. This method aims to enhance early detection and intervention for young individuals affected by trauma. In a preliminary study, the AI tool was tested on 18 children and teenagers, aged 7 to 17. Participants engaged in discussions about their experiences while the AI analyzed their… Read More »
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	4 SeptemberDuke Energy Secures $6 Billion Investment from Brookfield to Expand Florida OperationsDuke Energy has entered into a significant partnership with Brookfield Renewable, securing a $6 billion investment for its Florida operations. This strategic move aims to bolster the utility’s infrastructure and support its extensive capital plan. Brookfield Renewable will acquire a 19.7% indirect equity stake in Duke Energy Florida through Florida Progress. The investment will be disbursed in phases: $2.8 billion in early 2026, $200 million by the end of 2026, $2 billion in 2027, and… Read More »