Since 1969, Florida has been the only state in the country to impose a commercial lease tax—a tax that puts local businesses at a competitive disadvantage compared to every other state. But now, major change is inreach. Governor Ron DeSantis’ newly released “Focus on Fiscal Responsibility” budget for 2025-26 outlines a plan to fully eliminate … Continue reading Our Legislative Team is Addressing Whether to Cut Your Rent Cost by 3% the First Week of April, Your Voice is Needed NOW!!!!

At the Tiger Bay luncheon on March 6th, the discussion centered on the exciting development of world-class institutions right here in Sarasota. Jennifer Rominiecki, A. G. Lafley, and Kevin Cooper each shared their vision for how institutions like Selby Gardens, The Bay, and Mote Marine will not only enhance our community but also become global … Continue reading Sarasota’s Future: Creating World-Class Institutions for Generations to Come

Florida’s Business Rent Tax Could Be Gone by 2027 –But Your Voice is Needed Since 1969, Florida has been the only state in the country to impose a commercial lease tax—a tax that puts local businesses at a competitive disadvantage compared to every other state. But now, major change is inreach. Governor Ron DeSantis’ newly … Continue reading Florida’s Unique Business Lease Tax – How Much Longer Will It Last? You Could Help End It In 2027

My Trip to Tallahassee with the Lakewood Ranch BusinessAlliance This past week, I had the privilege of traveling to Tallahassee as part of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance (LWRBA) delegation. Our mission was clear—to advocate for policies that support business growth, workforce development, and infrastructure investment. We engaged directly with key members of the SRQ … Continue reading Advocating for Business and Witnessing Government in Action

My traveling recently took me to Panama. Little did I know that when I was looking over the Panama Canal, President Trump’s Inaugural Address would put Panama in the News. When talking to locals, this was front and center. What does this have to do with Real Estate? The answer is logistics. The canal cuts … Continue reading With the Panama Canal in the Spotlight After President Trump’s Inaugural Address: Understanding its History

Business Specialization turns a losing business into a profitable one. During my recent trip to Panama, I found inspiration from a business model utilizing niche specialization to make an unprofitable commodity business strong.  Dos Jeffes Specialty Coffee, located in Boquete, Panama, offers an example of how innovative thinking and strategic integration can turn around a … Continue reading Business Lesson from my Panama Travels: Using Specialization and Integration to Make a Failing Business Profitable

Sarasota/ Manatee MSA’s efforts exemplify the approach.  Housing is on every business owner and residents minds as they look to the future of our community. I was encouraged to read an article addressing this issue in the Winter 2025 issue of Columbia Magazine. Rosanne Haggerty, a Columbia University alumna and president of the nonprofit Community … Continue reading Columbia Alum Brings Academic Insights and Leadership to Innovative Homelessness Solutions Across the U.S.

2024 Economic Performance Exceeds Previous Expectations; Policy Implementation Will Impact the 2025 Economic Outlook. The U.S. economy has shown remarkable resilience, defying earlier forecasts of stagnation or recession. Revised projections for 2025 suggest sustained growth, driven by robust consumer spending, legislative incentives for business investment, and significant policy shifts under the incoming Trump administration. However, … Continue reading Economic Performance and Expectations

Labor Market Shows Signs of Weakness, Fed Eyes 25 Basis Point Cut •Job Growth: The U.S. added 227,000 jobs in November, marking the 47th consecutive month of positive growth. This follows a rebound from October’s weak job numbers, largely influenced by the recovery from Hurricane Helene and the end of the Boeing strike. • Slower … Continue reading November Jobs Report

The Federal Reserve’s 0.25% rate cut on November 7th, quickly following a previous 0.5% reduction in September 2024, aims to influence job growth and inflation. While it could have positive effects on commercial real estate, concerns remain these actions could overheat the market. Key impacts to Watch: Lower Borrowing Costs: Easier financing conditions could encourage … Continue reading What is the Impact of the November 7th Federal Reserve Rate Reduction on Commercial Real Estate?