AGP Executive Report

Grid & Workforce: NASA selected Space Florida for Project ORBIT, a $10.5M push to expand middle/high school pathways and connect Florida skilled workers with aerospace employers, with Space Florida Academy already growing across dozens of districts. Manufacturing Expansion: Hitachi Energy plans a $528M transformer plant in Gallman, Mississippi, aiming to start production in 2029 and more than double transformer output in the state. Florida Industry Compliance: The FDA issued a warning letter to Bausch & Lomb’s Florida site, citing quality-system and aseptic processing concerns after a March inspection. Cybersecurity Sales for Manufacturers: ThreatCaptain partnered with TD SYNNEX to give MSPs streamlined access to cybersecurity “financial-impact” selling tools across North America. Aerospace Contract: Lockheed Martin won an $826M U.S. contract modification for JASSM-ER and LRASM missile production, with deliveries targeted through 2030. Clean Energy Finance: A report says clean-energy developers are selling federal tax credits faster than buyers can absorb them, giving corporate buyers more leverage on pricing. Local Logistics: RenX’s Zimmer Equipment began a new Tampa Bay-area hauling route to a permitted landfill on Sept. 8, running daily under a trial agreement.

Health Policy & Consumer Relief: The White House says it will refund about $500 per person to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Florida, tied to alleged Obamacare “user fee” overcharges. EV Aftermarket & Retail: A new review highlights ten Tesla-focused service providers, pointing to a growing U.S. Tesla aftermarket as warranties fade and owners seek customization, protection, and repair. Defense Manufacturing: Lockheed Martin is pitching a modular concept for the AGM-158 JASSM family, aiming to reuse existing production infrastructure with interchangeable components. Marine Autonomy Production: Florida’s MARTAC will partner with SŌLACE Boats to scale Devil Ray unmanned surface vessel output by 100 units per year from a 200,000-square-foot facility. Industrial Deals: Q.E.P. (Boca Raton) completed its acquisition of Spray-Lock, adding spray-applied aerosol adhesive tech to expand flooring and wall installation offerings. Energy & Infrastructure: Aptamus Carbon Solutions and Demeter Energy are exploring a CO2 marine terminal at Seaport Manatee for liquefaction and loading for transport to sequestration sites. Local Growth Spotlight: Oxford Economics named Jacksonville a top North American “city to watch,” citing momentum in workforce and economic metrics.

Healthcare Policy: Trump says the federal government will refund about $500 per person in Obamacare “overcharges” to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Florida, tied to Biden-era exchange “user fees.” Public Health: Officials warn about cychlorphine, a synthetic drug reported as up to 10 times more potent than fentanyl, after a teen overdose death and a DEA scheduling move. Manufacturing & Materials: Q.E.P. (Boca Raton) completes its acquisition of Spray-Lock, expanding its spray-applied adhesives platform for flooring and wall applications. Local Growth: Toll Brothers breaks ground on Sawgrass Lakes in Babcock Ranch, with sales targeted for January 2027. Trade Pressure: A new report ranks Missouri among the hardest-hit states from tariffs, noting heavy costs for metals and auto parts—an issue Florida manufacturers watching supply-chain swings. Tech & Robotics: XTEND plans a Mexico manufacturing/integration hub (XTEND’s XFAB Mexico) to support robotics growth tied to defense and security needs. Florida Business/Jobs: Jacksonville earns Oxford Economics “City to Watch” recognition for 2027, citing productivity gains and diverse employment growth.

Defense Manufacturing Expansion: Tampa Brass & Aluminum will invest $58M in its Town ’N’ Country HQ and add 50 jobs (avg. $83,200) after winning military contracts, including roles for quality and nuclear engineering technicians. AI & Consumer Tech in Court: A federal judge sent Florida’s OpenAI/ Sam Altman consumer-protection case back to state court, limiting the state’s ability to keep it in federal court. Healthcare Supply Chain & Accountability: Abbott Laboratories agreed to pay $977.6M to resolve allegations tied to unsafe powder infant formula and nutritional therapy products—another reminder of how tightly regulated manufacturing failures can trigger major settlements. Local Governance & Industry Planning: Alachua City Commission tabled a data center discussion after a mayor abruptly killed a motion for a pause, with the dispute centering on jurisdiction and zoning. Trade & Jobs Risk: Trump’s threatened Bombardier jet ban is raising alarms among U.S. workers, including Florida service-center operations, as companies warn about potential market and supply-chain fallout. Energy Buildout: U.S. solar installations hit 11.4 GW in Q2 2026 (+45% YoY), with Florida adding 1.61 GW.

Defense Manufacturing: Lockheed Martin won an $825.97M Air Force contract modification to expand production of JASSM and LRASM missiles, with work in Orlando through 2030. Defense Manufacturing (Florida jobs): Tampa Brass & Aluminum will invest $58M in its Hillsborough HQ and add 50 jobs after landing military contracts, including roles in quality control, welding inspection, and nuclear engineering support. Defense Industrial Base: Nitradyn, a Florida-based explosives firm, secured a $581M Pentagon contract to build an IMX-104 energetic materials plant in Kentucky by 2030. Tech + Manufacturing Supply Chain: Andreessen Horowitz plans a $1.176B American Dynamism fund regional headquarters in West Palm Beach, targeting advanced manufacturing and defense-linked startups. Local Business + Compliance: FEDCON expanded to 264 businesses across 38 states to help small and mid-size firms win government contracts. Workforce Rules: A back-to-school guide breaks down federal child labor hour limits for minors and what employers should review now. Public Health (Florida impact): An FDA Alzheimer’s blood test recall remains open in 13 states, including Florida, after Fujirebio reported certain reagent lots could skew results.

Healthcare Policy: The White House says it will refund $500 per person to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Florida, tied to alleged Obamacare “user fee” overcharges. Defense Manufacturing: L3Harris’ Melbourne, Fla. base is tied to a historic $4.7B, seven-year Lockheed Martin contract for PAC-3 missile interceptor propulsion systems, a major capacity boost for U.S. air and missile defense. Autonomous Tech & Regulation: Tesla’s Cybercab robotaxi rollout in Austin is drawing scrutiny as NHTSA opens an audit of about 1,000 vehicles for federal safety compliance, highlighting how rules may shape real-world deployment. Trade & Industry Outreach: Trinidad and Tobago’s Manufacturers’ Association is sending a 37-member delegation to Miami (Sept. 13–18) to build export ties across food, tech, cybersecurity, beauty, and more. Florida Business & Crime: Hillsborough and Manatee detectives dismantled a credit card skimming and counterfeit card operation in Central Florida, seizing 154 fake cards and multiple skimmers. Construction Automation: New reporting says U.S. homebuilders are leaning on robotics and automation to offset labor shortages, with gains coming more from targeted site tools and prefabrication than full worker replacement.

Defense Manufacturing: L3Harris (Melbourne, FL) landed a $4.7B, seven-year Lockheed Martin contract to produce PAC-3 MSE propulsion systems, boosting interceptor “hit-to-kill” output and expanding wartime production capacity. Housing & Industrial Automation: With the U.S. short about 1.2M homes and nearly 300,000 construction jobs unfilled, builders are leaning harder on robotics, prefabrication, and automation—though gains are coming more from targeted site tools and workflow standardization than full worker replacement. EV Supply Chain Watch: A new Southeast electrification report says the region hit 1.137M cumulative EV sales, but EV manufacturing investment and jobs dipped for the first time in seven years amid consolidation and policy uncertainty. Local Business/Engineering Growth: Florida engineering firms are expanding services across industrial building design (Naples), telecom systems (Fort Lauderdale), aircraft ground support machinery (Fort Myers), and robotics engineering (Orlando). Fraud & Security: Hillsborough and Manatee detectives dismantled a Central Florida credit card skimming and counterfeit card operation, seizing devices and cards and arresting a suspect. Policy/Cost Pressures: Florida gas prices jumped 18 cents to $4.07 a gallon after Labor Day, tied to Strait of Hormuz shipping disruptions.

Florida Policy & Industry: Gov. Ron DeSantis announced nearly $23M to strengthen Florida’s defense workforce and defense industrial base, including grants tied to shipbuilding, aerospace, aviation, and supply-chain projects. Manufacturing & Legal: Fort Myers paint and sealant maker INSECO filed a federal lawsuit against a Branford competitor, alleging misleading marketing and trademark infringement over a similar product line. EVs & Jobs: A new Southeast electrification report says the region hit 1.137M cumulative EV sales, but EV manufacturing investment and job growth dipped for the first time in seven years, citing consolidation and political uncertainty. Construction Automation: US builders are leaning on robotics and prefabrication to offset labor shortages, though automation is harder on job sites than in factories. Logistics & Freight: Union Pacific’s proposed Norfolk Southern merger faces growing opposition; Florida AGs joined other states urging regulators to reject the deal. Local Business: Bay Plastics Machinery expanded pickup-and-drop-off repair routes for strand pelletizers, adding staff to reduce customer downtime. Defense/Global Supply Chain: Russia struck Ukrainian industrial facilities including steel plants, raising risks for manufacturing capacity.

Healthcare & Cost Relief: The White House says it will refund about $500 per person to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Florida, tied to alleged Obamacare “user fee” overcharges from the Biden administration. EV Market & Jobs: A Southeast clean-energy report says the region hit 1.137 million cumulative EV sales through June 30, but EV manufacturing investment and job growth dipped for the first time in seven years amid consolidation and policy uncertainty; Florida is among the leaders in total EV sales and share. Construction Automation: US homebuilders are leaning into robotics and automated workflows to offset labor shortages, with one example using a system that prints digital plans directly onto jobsite floors to standardize work. Florida Manufacturing Legal Fight: Fort Myers paint and sealant maker INSECO sued a Branford competitor in federal court, alleging misleading marketing and trademark-related violations. Defense Industrial Base: Gov. DeSantis announced nearly $23 million to strengthen Florida’s defense workforce and defense industrial base, including shipbuilding, aerospace, and supply-chain projects. Rail Merger Pressure: Union Pacific’s Norfolk Southern deal faces opposition from multiple state officials, including Florida, as regulators review the transaction. Local Industry Support: Bay Plastics Machinery expanded pickup-and-drop-off repair routes for strand pelletizers, adding staff to reduce downtime for customers. Drone Agriculture Expansion: ZenaTech says its ZenaDrone got Irish Aviation Authority approval for large-scale precision agriculture services. Energy Storage & Data Centers: Automakers’ stationary battery push for data centers could get pulled into the political fight as residents protest new data center projects. EVgo Charging: EVgo is rolling out 500 kW V4 superchargers at grocery stores this fall. Solar Growth: US solar installations jumped 45% YoY to 11.4 GW in Q2 2026, driven mainly by utility-scale projects.

Obamacare Refunds: The White House says it will return “hundreds of millions” in Obamacare overcharges via $500 refunds to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Florida, tied to Biden-era exchange “user fees.” Defense Industrial Base: Gov. Ron DeSantis announced nearly $23M to strengthen Florida’s defense workforce, military communities, and defense supply chain, including shipbuilding and aerospace support. Manufacturing Legal Fight: Fort Myers paint and sealant maker INSECO filed a federal suit against SHINGLE RX alleging misleading marketing and trademark/false advertising violations. EV + Grid Policy: A Southeast clean-energy report finds the region leads EV manufacturing investment and jobs, with Florida included among the focus states. Industrial Services Expansion: Bay Plastics Machinery expanded pickup-and-drop-off repair routes for strand pelletizers into more states, adding staff to reduce downtime for manufacturers. Transportation Electrification: The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy released its annual Southeast EV electrification update, tracking policy and market shifts from mid-2025 to mid-2026. Rail Merger Pressure: Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern face growing opposition as state AGs, shippers, and labor groups urge regulators to reject the proposed deal. Tech + Safety: Tesla’s Cybercab robotaxi rollout in Austin is drawing an NHTSA audit of about 1,000 vehicles over safety compliance.

Florida Defense Push: Gov. Ron DeSantis announced nearly $23M to strengthen Florida’s defense workforce, military communities, and defense industrial base, including grants tied to shipbuilding, aerospace, and supply-chain capacity. Manufacturing Services: Bay Plastics Machinery expanded pickup-and-drop-off regional repair routes for strand pelletizers, adding staff and extending service coverage into the Carolinas and the Florida Panhandle to cut downtime. Construction & Materials: Impact Lighting’s StoneLux™ LED backlighting sheets were selected as the exclusive provider by Stone Tile Group for translucent stone countertop and architectural installations. Logistics & Safety: CooperVision says contact lenses were among the cargo on an Amazon freighter aircraft that ran off the runway at Miami International Airport; authorities are investigating after fatalities and injuries. Tech & Mobility: Tesla began paid Cybercab robotaxi rides in Austin while NHTSA opened an audit of about 1,000 vehicles over safety compliance questions. Trade & Industry: Florida AGs joined other state officials urging federal regulators to reject the Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern rail merger, warning it could hurt competition and manufacturing shipping. Space/Comms: SpaceX’s Starship Flight 14 is set to target first orbit with Starlink V3 satellites that can’t fit on Falcon 9, making the mission a major capacity milestone for the network. Energy & Power: Bloom Energy is joining the ESPN College Football Campus Tour to bring the power conversation to college communities, with local firefighter support at stops. Boating: The Daytona Boat Show returns Sept. 18–20 at Ocean Center with show-only deals and family activities.

Healthcare Policy: The White House says it will refund about $500 per person to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Florida, tied to alleged Obamacare “user fee” overcharges. Tech Regulation: California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a package of laws restricting addictive social media features for kids under 16 and banning AI companion-chatbot toys for four years, alongside tighter minor privacy rules. Drug Safety: FDA classified a nationwide recall of more than 28,000 bottles of ramipril blood-pressure medication as Class II; the drug was manufactured in Ohio for a Boca Raton-based firm. Election Integrity: Federal agents charged three people in a Skid Row ballot petition fraud case involving stolen voter identities; one defendant is linked to Jacksonville, Florida. Manufacturing & Logistics: Bay Plastics Machinery expanded Southeast repair routes, adding pickup-and-dropoff service for pelletizer rotor and feed roll work across the Florida Panhandle and beyond. Energy Costs: A new ranking estimates Florida has paid about $12B in executive tariffs since Jan. 2025, with food, beverages, and vehicles among the hardest-hit imports.

Port & Logistics: JAXPORT named maritime veteran Bobby Wein its incoming chief commercial officer, part of a succession plan as the port ramps global sales and carrier relationships. EV Charging for Retail: EVgo says it will deploy Tesla V4 Superchargers rated up to 500 kW at grocery locations this fall, betting on higher charger use where shoppers already stop. Energy & Costs: Diesel hit new highs near $5.90 a gallon, underscoring how fuel prices ripple through freight, construction, and backup power. Trade & Manufacturing Pressure: A Florida-focused ranking estimates the state has paid about $12B in executive tariffs since Jan. 2025, with raw materials and parts among the biggest hits. Supply Chain Watch: Florida Atlantic-led research finds logistics growth is slowing as inventory growth weakens, while inventory and warehousing costs stay elevated. Defense/Autonomy Tech: Quantum Systems and XTEND will integrate autonomous mission software and capabilities for defense and public safety customers. Local Buildout: Gulf South Commerce Park in Louisiana broke ground on a first spec warehouse after acquiring 300 more acres, signaling continued demand for industrial space. Florida Business Expansion: Kahwa Coffee opened a larger St. Petersburg roasting and bagging headquarters, doubling bagging capacity. Construction Contract: Vero Beach awarded Ferreira Construction a $1.77M boardwalk rebuild contract after hurricane damage, with work starting after sea turtle season.

Defense Manufacturing: The U.S. Air Force awarded four manufacturers a combined $149M to produce metal “penetrator warhead case” components for bunker-busting bombs, with work split across small forging and machining shops and running through 2033. Space & Aerospace: SpaceX says it has poured more than $15B into Starship, aiming for rapid, airline-like reusability as Starlink revenue underwrites development losses. Local Industry Growth: FIU secured $15M from Florida to expand its Wall of Wind 2.0 hurricane testbed, targeting stronger building and infrastructure designs under combined wind and storm-surge conditions. Energy & Power: Florida-based ONE Nuclear announced a second Louisiana project, Project Amberjack, a 1-gigawatt small modular reactor campus, as it pushes toward federal licensing. Business Expansion: DiversiTech acquired DITEK, a Florida surge-protection maker, strengthening its HVAC and electrical protection portfolio. Workforce & Affordability: South Florida employers and workforce leaders held summits focused on hiring and affordability, with aerospace and aviation highlighted for South Dade opportunity.

South Florida Workforce & Affordability: CareerSource South Florida and partners held a South Dade Workforce Employer Engagement Summit, spotlighting underserved communities and pushing “first source” contracting to draw more aerospace and aviation jobs. Homebuilding Meets Demand: Zillow data shows renters increasingly searching outside their metros as home prices stay high, with Buffalo, Chicago and Houston among the biggest “landing” markets—an early signal for where sales could heat up next. Nuclear Expansion: ONE Nuclear says it will pursue a second Louisiana project, Project Amberjack, after announcing Project Cayman—both aimed at scaling new power options. Utility M&A: NextEra’s $67B Dominion buyout cleared a major shareholder vote, moving the deal toward regulatory review as data-center power demand keeps rising. Austal Bidding Watch: Florida-based Wildcat Infrastructure made a non-binding interest for Austal USA, setting up a potential contest alongside Hanwha’s earlier bid. Florida Insurance Compliance: A Tampa roofing firm explains how Florida’s 15-year roof rule and inspection requirements can affect homeowners’ ability to keep coverage as premiums tighten. Workforce Risk Tools: St. Petersburg-based Legacy Employer Concepts released a five-question screening approach to help agents evaluate when a PEO may be a viable workers’ comp alternative. Tech & Privacy: FDOT’s LPR revocation order is driving agencies to remove license plate readers from state roads, with Escambia County already going “dark.” Policy & Trade Pressure: Trump escalated the U.S.-Canada trade fight by threatening Bombardier aircraft sales unless production shifts to the U.S., drawing pushback from lawmakers and industry. Manufacturing-Adjacent Regulation: SEC and FDA signed a three-year MOU to strengthen enforcement cooperation, including sharing info tied to FDA-regulated disclosures that can affect investors.

Space Coast Push: U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody rallied Florida aerospace leaders to urge the new U.S. Space Academy be based in Florida, citing existing launch infrastructure, universities, and the commercial space workforce on the Space Coast. Trade War Pressure: Canada’s retaliatory tariffs took effect Tuesday, hitting nearly $28B in U.S. exports with duties up to 50% and raising new risks for manufacturers and suppliers tied to auto, dairy, steel, and other categories. Bombardier Fallout: Trump renewed threats to block Bombardier aircraft sales in the U.S. unless the company builds in America, while Bombardier says it already employs workers across 20+ states and relies on a broad U.S. supply chain. Local Manufacturing Spotlight: North Port honored woman- and veteran-owned Lolablue with its GEM Award, highlighting the brand’s handcrafted production in the city and retail reach across Florida. Workforce & Industry: Pensacola advanced maritime workforce plans, including UWF’s Center of Excellence designation and a push for a major shipbuilding facility expected to create thousands of jobs. Tech & Privacy: Collier County moved to remove 72 license plate readers from state road rights of way after FDOT direction, reflecting ongoing friction over automated surveillance.