AGP Executive Report

Cuba Tensions Escalate: Florida Rep. María Elvira Salazar blasted a Havana “anti-imperialist” rally backing Raúl Castro, saying “no propaganda can hide the reality” as the regime mobilized workers and security amid blackouts and shortages. Health & Pharma: Parker Waichman filed new Florida-linked NAION lawsuits alleging irreversible eye damage after Ozempic/Wegovy use, while Whole Foods Market Kitchen Minestrone Soup was recalled nationwide for an undeclared shrimp allergen (including Florida). Manufacturing & Defense: Unison (GE Aerospace) said its ignition and alternator systems helped power the Navy’s MQ-25A Stingray’s first flight, and Lockheed Martin broke ground on a Troy, Alabama munitions center to expand THAAD and interceptor output. Local Business & Courts: Rayonier Performance Fibers’ Fernandina Beach ethanol-plant lawsuit hit an impasse after mediation, and a Miami-area company sued the organizers of the “Barbie Dream Fest” over an ~$8,800 contract dispute. Tech for the Shop Floor: Orlando’s ROVE INNOTECH launched the RS2 two-way articulating borescope for inspection work.

Prescription Denials: Thousands of Florida patients say insurers are blocking doctor-prescribed meds, forcing repeat fights over coverage—while industry groups trade blame over whether denials are widespread or driven by drugmakers. Refrigerant Rollback: The Trump administration eased Biden-era refrigerant rules tied to cooling equipment, arguing it could lower grocery costs, though industry groups warn it may raise prices as companies retool. Food Safety: Miami-based Llorens Pharmaceuticals recalled 4,196 bottles of vitamin supplements across 24 states and Puerto Rico after FDA flagged black particulate matter. Defense Manufacturing: Lockheed Martin broke ground on an Alabama missile production center to expand THAAD and interceptor output. School Security Tech: Florida and Georgia schools are set to pilot drone-based anti-shooter systems—still unproven, but moving from concept toward classrooms. Marine Listings Push: OutboardListings.com and MarineIndustryListings.com are offering the first 100 free combo listings to help small marine dealers get inventory online.

Cuba Escalation Talk: President Trump doubled down on intervening in Cuba, saying “it looks like I’ll be the one” after federal prosecutors charged former Cuban leader Raúl Castro—while Cuba’s leadership called the move a pretext for aggression. Florida Manufacturing & Defense: BAE Systems is investing $135M to expand and modernize U.S. defense manufacturing in Texas and New Hampshire, and Florida-based Laser Photonics is spotlighting a compact, field-ready laser marking system for defense logistics. Aerospace/Advanced Tech: Snowbird Technologies will showcase its mobile additive manufacturing system at RIMPAC 2026, and Signature Aviation and BETA Technologies wrapped electric flight demos across Florida with new charging infrastructure. Business Moves: Advantage Distribution Holdings completed its acquisition of cfm Distributors, expanding HVACR distribution across the Southeast and Midwest. Space Capital Markets: SpaceX revealed finances as it pushes toward a potentially massive IPO. Local Market Watch: Jacksonville’s industrial and distribution development is shifting from post-pandemic oversupply toward recovery as construction slows.

Space & Defense Momentum: SpaceX filed IPO documents as it pushes toward a potentially $1T valuation, while Pratt & Whitney announced a $4.7M Springdale, Ark. expansion to speed GTF engine case repairs and add additive repair capability. Advanced Materials & 3D Printing: IMDEA Materials unveiled multifunctional Kevlar composites with integrated sensing, EMI shielding, and de-icing, and Neuenhauser Maschinenfabrik became an official processor for Lehvoss Luvocom 3F industrial 3D-printing materials. Florida Policy & Housing Resilience: A new Florida law lets manufactured home owners tap housing funds for storm repairs, following ongoing scrutiny of older manufactured homes’ storm safety gaps after the Spanish Lakes EF-3 tornado. Supply Chain & Compliance Watch: iRemedy’s AI assessment flags heavy China dependency across essential medicines, and PEPA scored a regulatory win with “Synthetic/Composite Tile” added to Florida’s mitigation inspection form. Labor Pressure Signals: A new study warns the Midwest’s low immigrant labor share (10.7%) could worsen shortages in manufacturing and healthcare.

Summer kickoff & tourism pressure: Memorial Day weekend is being treated as the real start of summer in Florida—more people on the roads, more demand for services, and a faster pace for manufacturers that feed the season. Mosquito risk spike: Southwest Florida mosquito control warns drought didn’t “solve” the problem—salt-marsh mosquitoes can build egg banks in dry soil, then hatch in big numbers when tides and rains return. Pharma supply-chain spotlight: iRemedy says an AI review of 84 essential medicines found 89% show significant China dependency across manufacturing layers, raising fresh pressure on sourcing transparency. Florida building-code win: PEPA celebrates Florida adding “Synthetic/Composite Tile” to a key mitigation inspection form, a step that could help polymer roofing products get recognized more consistently. Defense tech momentum: SPARC AI and Rate Manufacturing announced a GPS-denied drone capability partnership at SOF Week in Tampa. Local industry note: Conner Industries marked its 45th anniversary with recognitions from local, state, and federal leaders.

Wildfire Season Warning: Florida officials say drought and human-caused fires are setting up a rough stretch ahead, with burn bans already in 37 counties and fire danger expected to run through July and into August. Cuba Drone Tensions: New reporting says Cuba may have 300+ suicide drones from Russia and Iran, raising the risk of a confrontation close to Florida—though Reuters says it can’t verify the claim. Immigration Policy Fight: Rep. Maxwell Frost (FL-10) filed a House bill to end immigration detainers by federal and local agencies. Defense Manufacturing: V2X won a U.S. Navy contract to integrate LAIRCM survivability upgrades on Marine Corps KC-130Js at its Crestview, FL facility. Utilities Deal Watch: NextEra and Dominion moved closer to a massive all-stock combination, aiming to reshape regulated power across the region. Health & Safety: A Florida class action targets a recalled equine joint injection, alleging contamination. Local Business Spotlight: In Stuart, In the Shade Window Coverings & Interiors earned top local recognition. Policy/Compliance: Florida’s DeSantis signed a law letting cash totals round to the nearest nickel as pennies phase out.

Human-AI Manufacturing Patent: Florida Atlantic University says it’s earned a U.S. patent for an “Adaptive Cyber Manufacturing” system that lets workers remotely run equipment and have AI adjust tasks based on performance—aimed at safer, more flexible production without losing advanced know-how. Hurricane-Ready Housing Tests: The University of Kansas will test full-scale manufactured homes in simulated hurricane-force winds at FIU’s Wall of Wind May 13, targeting anchor and tie-down building-code updates. Affordable Housing Capital: Banyan River Trust directed $6M+ in equity to families across 48 states, with a focus on mobile and manufactured home transitions. Defense & Aerospace Ramp: V2X won a U.S. Navy contract for KC-130J survivability upgrades at its Crestview, FL facility, while Collins Aerospace is expanding Largo radar and secure communications manufacturing with a $26.5M investment. Florida Public Health & Safety: TrumpRx expands to 600 generic drugs for uninsured Floridians, and FDLE data shows fentanyl-related deaths in Florida fell 46% in the first half of 2025 as Sen. Ashley Moody targets counterfeit pill presses. Energy Consolidation: NextEra and Dominion agreed to combine in a deal worth nearly $67B, reshaping power infrastructure plans that include Florida.

Power Deal: NextEra Energy agreed to buy Dominion Energy in a mostly stock deal worth about $67B, setting up a mega-utility stretching from Florida to Virginia as AI-driven electricity demand keeps climbing. Space & Robotics: At Kennedy Space Center, 50 college teams kicked off the 2026 Lunabotics Challenge, racing to solve how to reliably move sharp lunar regolith—an engineering hurdle for future Moon building. Defense & Growth: Pasco County used Tampa’s SOF Week to pitch aerospace and defense manufacturing, highlighting local firms like Smytec and Dagar Group. Local Public Safety: Sanibel’s fire district approved an easement for Station 171 and got an update on a new drone at Station 172. Manufacturing Watch: Bromley Industrial Partners bought a 200,000-square-foot Clearwater industrial site for $23.5M, betting on last-mile logistics and local manufacturing demand. Health & Compliance: A Novo Nordisk clinical research associate lawsuit was filed in South Florida alleging discrimination and retaliation.

Pharma & Workplace Accountability: A former Novo Nordisk clinical trials employee in Broward County sued in federal court, alleging race discrimination plus retaliation after internal complaints about “unethical and potentially unlawful practices.” Food Safety Watch: Walmart is pulling specific Blackstone Parmesan Ranch seasoning lots nationwide over a Salmonella risk tied to recalled dry milk powder. Energy Infrastructure: NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy agreed to merge in a roughly $67B all-stock deal, aiming to scale power delivery as AI-driven demand for data centers strains grids. Defense Manufacturing: Motorola Solutions will invest $100M to expand Silvus tactical radio production, adding a Salt Lake City facility and 200 jobs. Regulatory Signals in Florida: FDA inspection results show Marion County-linked cities saw multiple 2025 inspections, including at least one “Voluntary Action Indicated” finding. Supply Chain Pressure: More than 5,100 freight-related layoffs were reported across the U.S., reflecting ongoing restructuring in logistics and manufacturing.

Defense & Diplomacy Flashpoint: Cuba is firing back hard after an Axios report claimed Havana discussed drone strike scenarios against Guantánamo Bay and even Key West, calling it a “fraudulent case” and a pretext for U.S. aggression—while Washington says it doesn’t see an imminent attack. Counter-Drone Manufacturing: DroneShield says it’s speeding up plans to double U.S. counter-drone production capacity, aiming to finish in 6–9 months to meet rising demand from the military, law enforcement, and government. Florida Energy Policy: Gov. DeSantis signed a law pushing large data centers and other big electric users to pay their own service costs and risks, echoing FPL’s large-load rate structure. Aviation Capacity Squeeze: JetBlue will end service at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport on July 8, citing a broader “capacity crisis” and shifting aircraft to stronger markets. Medical Tech Cybersecurity: Blue Goat Cyber won a Medical Device Cybersecurity Partner of the Year award in West Palm Beach.

Cybersecurity in healthcare: Blue Goat Cyber won “Medical Device Cybersecurity Partner of the Year” at MedTech World North America in West Palm Beach, highlighting the push to secure connected devices through FDA pathways and global submissions. Energy policy for industry: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law requiring large energy users—especially data centers and major manufacturers—to pay their own electric service costs, aiming to stop cost-shifting to households and small businesses. Immigration security breach: A report claims “sham marriages” are fooling immigration agencies, creating major security gaps tied to military-linked access schemes. Food access in Florida: Sarasota’s Newtown neighborhood is getting a one-year pilot market, Margie’s Market, to tackle decades-long food desert conditions. Manufacturing-adjacent legal risk: A Palm Beach County lawsuit alleges a 2019 Ford Expedition Max seatbelt component exploded, causing permanent hearing loss. Trade and geopolitics: Trump’s China trip ended with claims of major deals and renewed focus on Taiwan and Iran talks.

Legal & Consumer Safety: A Palm Beach County lawsuit says a 2019 Ford Expedition Max seatbelt component “exploded without impact,” leaving the owner with permanent hearing loss—adding to Florida’s steady stream of product-liability filings. Real Estate & Finance: Don King’s long-vacant Palm Beach Jai Alai site is headed to a May 18 foreclosure auction after a $42.5M court judgment tied to hard-money lender Taylor Made Lending. Food Supply Chain: Straus Family Creamery is voluntarily recalling certain organic ice cream flavors in 17 states over possible metal fragments, with no injuries reported. Trade & Manufacturing Context: Trump’s China trip leaned heavily on big-ticket deals—Boeing aircraft orders topped headlines—while broader clean-energy investment from China reportedly faces new U.S. headwinds. Florida Business Watch: Sprouts plans its first Ohio store in 2028, but the company’s growth footprint already includes 63 Florida locations.

Food Safety: Straus Family Creamery is voluntarily recalling multiple organic ice cream flavors and sizes sold in 17 states, including Florida, after the FDA flagged a potential risk of metal fragments; no injuries reported and affected items are identified by best-by dates and manufacturing codes. Trade & Aviation: As President Trump returns from China, the trip’s headline is a reported Boeing agreement for 200 aircraft, with Taiwan and Iran also shaping the talks. Florida Health: Measles continues to spread in Florida as state officials face mounting criticism over “freedom”-driven public health messaging. Semiconductor Supply Chain: LG Innotek is pushing into the U.S. AI chip substrate market in Orlando this week, betting on substrate demand as advanced packaging remains a bottleneck. Local Sports: Florida softball opened the NCAA Gainesville Regional with a 12-0, five-inning win over Florida A&M, setting up the next matchup.

Florida Softball: Florida opened the NCAA Gainesville Regional with a 12-0, five-inning run-rule over Florida A&M, setting up a Saturday matchup after a one-hit, run-manufacturing performance led by Taylor Shumaker’s five RBIs. NCAA Fayetteville: South Florida also advanced after beating Washington 3-1, earning a winners’ bracket game vs. Arkansas. Semiconductor Supply Chain: LG Innotek is in Orlando courting North American AI chip designers as substrate demand tightens—an issue that can decide whether hardware ships on time. Manufacturing & Tech: DZYNE unveiled “Blitz,” a modular one-way strike drone aimed at longer-range, mass-producible missions. Local Watch: Manatee’s Bishop Animal Shelter faces renewed heat from advocates over heat/airflow and access, as a $12M expansion plan moves forward. Policy/Legal: A federal customs fraud case highlights how buyers can face criminal exposure for knowingly purchasing goods tied to duty evasion.

Customs Crackdown: A Boise Cascade guilty plea in South Florida shows DOJ is going after “knowing purchasers” in duty-evasion schemes—more than $6.3M tied to Chinese plywood illegally transshipped to dodge antidumping and countervailing duties. Biotech Demand Surge: The FDA’s fast-track early access for Daraxonrasib is sparking a rush of inquiries for a KRAS-targeting pancreatic cancer drug that could nearly double survival in early results. Manufacturing & Energy Moves: DME Energy Resources is buying Conductive Energy to launch Empower EIT, aiming for a fully U.S. lithium supply chain using direct lithium extraction. Florida Business Watch: RenX reported Q1 2026 results with $3.96M revenue (+20.5% QoQ) and logistics profitability, while Tesla’s Solar Roof keeps sliding toward a pivot back to conventional panels. Policy & Compliance: The Supreme Court temporarily preserved abortion-pill access via mail and telemedicine, keeping legal uncertainty alive.

Sterile-Processing Backlash: Penn State Health pushed back on a Spotlight PA report about instrument sterilization, saying particulate specks are a known, limited issue and that 99.8% of procedures ran on schedule with stable patient-safety metrics. Aerospace in Jacksonville: Otto Aerospace says it has frozen the Phantom 3500 aerodynamics and moved into detail design, targeting a first flight test in late 2027 from its Cecil Airport base after a nearly $500M Florida incentive. Defense & drones: AEVEX won an $18.5M Air Force contract for one-way attack UAS, while XTEND landed a seven-figure Asia-Pacific ISR order. Energy efficiency push: Cooling demand is driving interest in more efficient AC systems, with Transaera touting big energy cuts via moisture separation. Legal/health ripple: The U.S. Supreme Court let abortion-pill mail delivery and telemedicine continue for now. Local budget friction: Tampa Bay negotiators traded offers—some Hillsborough/Pinellas projects moved, others got cut or zeroed.