Business Observer

Entrepreneurs

March 12, 2026

Sarasota best-selling author, speaker overcame teenage trauma

Simone Knego overcame some crushing teenage trauma to lead a life of confidence — and consistent accomplishments. Now she encourages others to do the same.

March 10, 2026

St. Pete entrepreneur aims to outsmart AI algorithms with startup

Jon Mest, winner of a spARK Labs by Ark Invest’s Innovation Showcase, is choosing to bootstrap his way with his startup ChatRank.

March 4, 2026

Tampa entrepreneur invests in European soccer clubs

Not yet 30, Will Freeman is adding to his already-long entrepreneurial resume with a headfirst dive into pro sports investing.

February 27, 2026

Sarasota County charter flight firm aims to quadruple volume in 2026

Amid a surge in clients, opportunistic air charter business AvSky Charters refuses to relent on white-glove service.

Health Care

March 25, 2026

BayCare to open new urgent care in eastern Hillsborough

The health care system will open its first urgent care system in Plant City March 30, close to its new South Florida Baptist Hospital.

March 18, 2026

$481M Lee Health campus hits construction milestone

Swedish construction company Skanska says it has topped off Phase 1 of the massive 53-acre project.

March 15, 2026

Two Tampa Bay medical buildings sold for nearly $13M

The pair of buildings were on opposite ends of the Bay but were sold by the same broker.

Residential Real Estate

March 23, 2026

$32M affordable housing complex in Pinellas replaces dilapidated inn

Clearwater Gardens, at 1250 Cleveland St., is a four-story apartment building featuring 81 units.

March 23, 2026

Downtown Sarasota ponders hotel/condo trend in aim to avoid 'luxury ghost town'

Two projects working through the city approval process would combine condominium and hotel uses, signaling a possible shift in the condo market and more year-round activity.

March 22, 2026

Fort Myers land sold for future fire station

In the week's top commercial real estate news, a car dealer buys Fort Myers property, Lakeland grocers are changing names, and a global manufacturer expands in Manatee.

SWFL fire service training academy surpasses milestone

Ricky Rescue Training Academy, founded as a free service 15 years ago, is now a growing company that helps firefighters worldwide get career-advancing education.

233 acres in Charlotte County sold to Amazon

Groundbreaking set for transformative downtown Clearwater project

Downtown Sarasota ponders hotel/condo trend in aim to avoid 'luxury ghost town'

Fort Myers land sold for future fire station

Sarasota best-selling author, speaker overcame teenage trauma

St. Pete entrepreneur aims to outsmart AI algorithms with startup

Tampa entrepreneur invests in European soccer clubs

Sarasota County charter flight firm aims to quadruple volume in 2026

SRQ looks toward potential of guest passes beyond security

Peachey's opens second Sarasota County donut store

Wahlburgers opens at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport

Bankrupt brewer Big Storm sells Clearwater property

Wealth management firm relocates in Lakewood Ranch

Sarasota angel investor group doubles in size, seeks local startups

IncredibleBank opening new branch in Cape Coral

Downtown Clearwater project obtains $160 million in financing

BayCare to open new urgent care in eastern Hillsborough

$481M Lee Health campus hits construction milestone

Two Tampa Bay medical buildings sold for nearly $13M

$32M affordable housing complex in Pinellas replaces dilapidated inn

Downtown Sarasota ponders hotel/condo trend in aim to avoid 'luxury ghost town'

Fort Myers land sold for future fire station

Wealth management firm relocates in Lakewood Ranch

Groundbreaking set for transformative downtown Clearwater project

Tampa makes top 10 for women-owned businesses in large metros

SWFL botanical garden CEO to retire

Defeating impostor syndrome requires responding to self-doubt with clarity, confidence

Fair or equal? How to split up ownership of a family business

Family wealth transfer: More at stake than money

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SWFL fire service training academy surpasses milestone

Ricky Rescue Training Academy, founded as a free service 15 years ago, is now a growing company that helps firefighters worldwide get career-advancing education.

3 Articles Remaining!

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Already a Subscriber?

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