AGP Executive Report

Workforce & Training: Miller Electric Co. and Milwaukee Tool are backing Junior Achievement of North Florida’s Experiential Learning Center with $50,000, aiming to rebuild electrical training and strengthen pathways from classroom to skilled trades. Packaging & Sustainability: IPG launched a new PCR Air Pillow Film with 50% recycled content (35% post-consumer, 15% post-industrial) made in the U.S. at a TRUE Zero Waste facility. Defense Manufacturing: M-tron Industries won $4M in production contracts for RF components for a next-gen U.S. electronic warfare program, with work in Orlando through 2027. Aerospace Deal: Aura Aero acquired VoltAero, combining hybrid-electric propulsion know-how with Aura’s industrial footprint and flight-test experience. Space & Power Tech: City Labs in Miami is preparing the BOHR CubeSat for a SpaceX Transporter-17 launch, testing a long-lasting tritium nuclear battery payload. Florida Consumer/Facilities: Plumbing Detectives expanded polybutylene pipe inspection services in Sarasota and Charlotte counties as insurance scrutiny grows around aging plumbing systems. Local Business: Jacksonville Transportation Authority CEO Nathaniel P. Ford Sr. announced he’ll resign effective Jan. 8, 2027, after 13+ years leading major transit projects. Tech in the Market: Tesla launched robotaxi service in Miami, expanding beyond Texas and California.

Defense Manufacturing: Quantum Cyber (Florida-based) is tied to a proposed Bridgeport, Conn. drone factory after its subsidiary Quantum Drones signed an LOI to buy Arcade Technology’s 38 Union Ave metal stamping site for $3.2M, with plans targeting about 100,000 drones a year—raising both jobs hopes and local concerns about high-tech warfare production. Space & Nuclear Tech: Miami’s City Labs says its BOHR CubeSat will fly on a SpaceX Falcon 9 mission to test a tiny tritium nuclear battery, aiming for a self-powered payload lasting about a decade—an early step toward longer-life deep-space power. RF for Defense: M-tron Industries won $4M in production contracts for radio-frequency components for a next-gen U.S. electronic warfare program, with manufacturing in Orlando through 2027. Food Safety: Publix recalled GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries in eight Southern states after E. coli O145:H28 linked to 12 confirmed illnesses. Medical Manufacturing/Regulated Products: Splash Beverage Group secured exclusive global licensing for CannEpil, a cannabinoid-based investigational therapy for drug-resistant epilepsy, produced under EU-GMP standards. AI & Small Business: A separate report highlights how AI is helping entrepreneurs launch and grow, while warning about job disruption in clerical and administrative roles.

Space & Defense Manufacturing: SpaceX kept its launch cadence rolling from Cape Canaveral, sending 29 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit on a Falcon 9 mission; the first stage (13th flight) landed on the droneship “A Shortfall of Gravitas,” underscoring reuse-driven cost pressure and Florida’s role in high-tempo aerospace work. Local Aviation/Policy: Palm Beach’s airport is set to be renamed “President Donald J. Trump International Airport,” with I-95 exit signs already updated and the airport code changing for airline systems—an issue that’s also drawing constitutional and procurement questions. Immigration & Labor Impact: Florida Rep. Carlos Giménez urged the White House to reconsider ending TPS for Haitians, calling deportations a “huge mistake,” a move that could ripple into workforce stability and local community planning. Public Safety & Housing: Lake Placid is moving toward rules for temporary shelter permits after disasters, including manufactured-home and camper-style recovery options—aimed at speeding repairs while setting health and safety standards. Tech/Industry Watch: Aere Beauty’s milestone K-beauty giveaway highlights Florida-based consumer manufacturing branding, including a behind-the-scenes visit to its production facility.

Space Coast Manufacturing & Supply Chain: SpaceX kept up its launch cadence from Cape Canaveral, sending 29 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit on a Falcon 9 mission; the first-stage booster landed on the Atlantic droneship “A Shortfall of Gravitas,” underscoring reusable hardware as a cost lever for high-frequency production. Local Housing & Disaster Readiness: Lake Placid is moving to set rules for temporary shelter permits after declared emergencies, aiming to let displaced residents live in campers/RVs while keeping tents off the table. Florida Business & Consumer Manufacturing: Aere Beauty (Tampa) is running a 5,000-follower milestone giveaway that includes a visit to its manufacturing facility in South Korea—another example of Florida brands tying customer growth to overseas production visibility. Policy Watch: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld states’ authority to set mail-voting deadlines, a reminder that election rules can shift quickly even as manufacturers plan around stable demand.

Disaster Recovery Rules: Lake Placid is drafting an ordinance to let storm- or wildfire-displaced residents live temporarily in campers, RVs and similar shelters after a declared emergency, with permits required and tents banned—aimed at public health and faster recovery. Manufacturing & Industry Recognition: South Florida Manufacturers Association held its 47th Recognition of Excellence Awards in Pembroke Pines, honoring 692 leaders and partners across medical device, aerospace, marine, electronics, packaging and food & beverage. Advanced Energy Manufacturing: AMPERA unveiled a full-scale 3D-printed thorium reactor module in Palm Beach Gardens, saying the unfueled silicon carbide core is a step toward factory-built, mass-produced nuclear energy. Autonomous Tech in Florida: Tesla expanded robotaxi service to Miami, adding Florida as a third state for driverless operations after Texas and supervised testing in California. Local Tech & Privacy: Cape Coral residents are questioning Lee County’s automated license plate reader camera footprint, citing privacy and surveillance concerns as officials say access is for public safety. Workforce/Operations Leadership: Jacksonville Transportation Authority CEO Nathaniel P. Ford Sr. announced he’ll resign effective Jan. 8, 2027, with the board to discuss the next CEO at its July 29 meeting.

Nuclear Manufacturing Push: Florida-based AMPERA unveiled what it calls the world’s first full-scale 3D-printed thorium reactor module in Palm Beach Gardens, with the unit currently unfueled and aimed at commercial deliveries in 2028–2030 pending NRC approval. Autonomous Mobility in Florida: Tesla expanded its robotaxi service to Miami, adding another state to its driverless rollout as the company leans further into AI and robotics. Local Industry Recognition: The South Florida Manufacturers Association held its 47th Recognition of Excellence Awards in Pembroke Pines, honoring 692 manufacturing leaders, employees, and partners across sectors from medical devices to aerospace and marine. Workforce & Training Tech: Manatee County Schools accepted a Fanuc collaborative robot donation for its Advanced Manufacturing program, boosting hands-on training for students. Public Safety Tech Debate: Cape Coral residents raised privacy concerns about automated license plate reader cameras operating across Lee County, prompting responses about who owns and accesses the systems. Policy Watch: A Florida-related legal update notes the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed states can set mail-voting deadlines, a direct hit to how late-counted ballots are handled.

Advanced Nuclear Manufacturing: AMPERA says it unveiled the world’s first full-scale 3D-printed thorium reactor module in Palm Beach Gardens, using an unfueled silicon carbide core designed to avoid a self-sustaining chain reaction; it targets fueled testing, licensing, and first commercial deliveries in 2028–2030. South Florida Industry Recognition: The South Florida Manufacturers Association held its 47th Recognition of Excellence Awards in Pembroke Pines, honoring 692 leaders, employees, and partners across medical device, aerospace, marine, electronics, packaging, and food & beverage. Autonomous Tech in Florida: Tesla expanded robotaxi service to Miami, adding Florida as a third state for driverless operations after Texas and supervised testing in California. Composite Manufacturing Push: CCIC and UNNC showcased a closed-loop recycled carbon fiber platform aimed at cutting energy use, emissions, and costs while improving high-value reuse pathways. Local Manufacturing & Training: Manatee Technical College received a Fanuc CR-15iA collaborative robot donation to support its advanced manufacturing program. Public Safety for Makers: Florida reminded residents that consumer fireworks are allowed only on Independence Day and New Year’s holidays, with local rules and safety steps emphasized.

Food & Safety: Utz Quality Foods recalled certain Zapp’s and Dirty potato chips after a seasoning made with dry milk powder from a third-party supplier was flagged for possible salmonella contamination, with FDA classifying it as Class I. Manufacturing & Training: Mitutoyo opened an 11,200-sq.-ft. Lakeland Metrology Service Center to bring precision measurement support closer to Florida’s growing aerospace, defense, medical manufacturing, and machining corridor. Local Business Expansion: MuleHide added territory managers, including Brendan Britsch covering West Central and Southwest Florida, signaling continued growth in the roofing supply chain. Legal/Business Risk: A Florida federal court rejected Amazon’s bid to reduce insurer damages by apportioning fault to non-party upstream entities in a strict products liability case tied to a defective electric bicycle battery. Defense & Tech: DEEP completed installation of its WAAM-produced Vanguard subsea human habitat in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, moving the project into sea acceptance testing. Policy & Compliance: California’s packaging and plastics EPR law is being challenged in federal court by a coalition that includes Florida, setting up a major fight over producer responsibility rules.

Precision Manufacturing Expansion: Mitutoyo opened an 11,200-sq.-ft. Lakeland Metrology Service Center to bring advanced measurement support closer to Florida’s growing aerospace, defense, medical manufacturing, and machining base. Defense Industrial Base: HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding began fabrication of the future USS John F. Lehman (DDG 137), using a distributed shipbuilding model that includes Florida partner yards for major structural components. M&A in Metalworking: Quantum Cyber is moving toward closing a $3.2 million deal to acquire a Bridgeport metal stamping factory, with a 50,000-sq.-ft. site and related business assets. Autonomous Systems for Disaster Response: Xtend’s Honey Badger and XTENDER drones are being used in Venezuela’s earthquake search-and-rescue efforts, helping teams reach areas too dangerous for people. Florida Policy & Courts: A dispute between Florida AG James Uthmeier and State Attorney Monique Worrell escalated over youthful offender sentencing in serious cases. Local Housing/Infrastructure: Liberty County is weighing water and wastewater planning as growth pressures mount, with Riceboro’s challenges highlighted as a cautionary example.

Defense Manufacturing Deal: Quantum Cyber (Florida-based) says it has definitive agreements to buy the Arcade Metal Stamping site in Bridgeport, CT—about a 50,000-square-foot metal stamping factory—in a $3.2 million package expected to close as early as next week, with escrow and monthly storage payments already in motion. Defense Tech Momentum: XTEND advanced to Gauntlet II in the U.S. Drone Dominance Program after qualifying at Camp Grayling, joining 19 firms as the $1B effort moves toward August testing at Fort Carson. Armored Vehicle Expansion: INKAS will more than double North American production space with three new facilities—adding a Fort Pierce, FL site (31,000 sq. ft.) plus new capacity in Charlotte, NC and Toronto—aimed at scaling armored and unmanned platforms. Policy Watch for Industry: Florida’s July 1, 2026 law rollout includes major changes across roads, traffic enforcement, medical processes, and security services, with more than 100 new measures taking effect statewide. Local Business & Housing: Jacksonville leaders are bracing for possible revenue pressure tied to Florida property tax reform as the city council president calls for protecting core services while pursuing economic development.

Defense & Industrial Expansion: INKAS says it will more than double its North American manufacturing footprint with three new facilities—adding space in Toronto, a major armored-vehicle site in Charlotte, and a first Florida production location in Fort Pierce—aiming for full operations by July 31, 2026. Workforce & Training: Florida’s budget news includes $2.2M for trades programs, with $1.5M earmarked for a state-of-the-art welding training facility tied to the Southwest Florida Advanced Manufacturing Training Center. Data Center Development: Z Squared, a Florida-based digital firm, plans to fund an El Dorado data center expansion with $15.3M raised in equity sales, including a majority stake in Paradox Data LLC—while Union County recently approved a data-center moratorium ordinance. Manufacturing in Healthcare: Cytiva highlighted biotech manufacturing trends at BIO, and a robotic pharmacy startup, Queue, emerged with $18.6M to automate prescription filling without a pharmacist on site. Housing & Storm Hardening: A new Florida law opens $167M in SHIP funding for manufactured home emergency repairs and storm-hardening retrofits. Local Business Growth: Jacksonville’s Perdue acquired American Business Interiors to expand workplace, healthcare, and education interior solutions. Policy Watch: Florida AG plans to appeal a ruling in a textbook pricing dispute tied to the state’s False Claims Act.

Workforce & Training Funding: Charlotte County Public Schools secured $2.275M for advanced training, including a $1.5M welding facility at the Southwest Florida Advanced Manufacturing Training Center and a $775K water management program at Lemon Bay High School. AI Data Center Theft: Organized crews are targeting AI data center construction supplies, with reports of $300K in copper wire and about $1M in equipment stolen in separate incidents, including a copper shipment recovered in Illinois after leaving Florida. Security Tech Deal: Tampa-headquartered SureView Systems was acquired by Volaris Group, expanding enterprise physical and cyber security monitoring capabilities. Florida Policy Shakeup: More than 100 new Florida laws took effect, including changes tied to schools, public safety, housing, pet sale protections, and a “Blue Envelope” program for better autism-related driver interactions. Manufacturing Spotlight: Nation Ramps is expanding U.S. production at its Sweetwater, Tennessee facility to improve lead times and capacity for loading dock and material-handling equipment. Regulatory/Tech Watch: The FDA approved bemotrizinol as a new sunscreen active ingredient, signaling faster ingredient innovation overseas that could affect what Floridians can buy.

Affordable Housing (Manufactured Homes): Jacksonville and HUD launched the “Jacksonville Starter Home Initiative,” using city-owned land to place up to 10 manufactured homes per acre for buyers at 80%–120% of area median income, with 17.5 acres conveyed and 5 acres targeted for the pilot. Defense Manufacturing Expansion: INKAS says it’s expanding North American production with three new facilities—adding space in Fort Pierce, Florida, plus Charlotte, N.C., and Toronto—aimed at more than doubling capacity for armored vehicles and unmanned systems by July 31. Aerospace/Launch Ops: Blue Origin will not rebuild its damaged New Glenn pad after the May explosion; it’s shifting to a hybrid horizontal/vertical launch concept to restore flight cadence at Cape Canaveral. Healthcare Supply Chain Tech: SCWorx won a deal with a not-for-profit teaching hospital to cleanse and standardize item master and supply chain data ahead of a Workday ERP migration. Robotics Funding (Florida): Tombot closed a $7M Series A3 to scale robotic companion animals, with Florida Community Health Network among investors. Public Safety/Health Alert: Florida officials are warning about 7-OH products, a potent opioid derivative often marketed as kratom, urging consumer awareness.

Aviation & Aerospace: Embraer says regulators in Brazil, Europe and the U.S. have now certified its Praetor 500E, a nine-passenger midsize jet updated from the original Praetor line, with the aircraft cleared by ANAC, FAA and EASA. Space & Defense Tech: XTEND, based in Tampa, secured a U.S. patent covering autonomous navigation for unmanned aircraft toward operator-set mission objectives in unpredictable environments. AI Infrastructure & Policy: Florida’s new law starting July 1 blocks utilities from passing AI data-center costs onto residential and small business customers, a direct hit to the economics of AI buildouts. Healthcare Supply Chain: SCWorx says it landed a new deal with a Florida not-for-profit teaching hospital to cleanse and standardize supply-chain data ahead of a Workday ERP migration. Manufacturing & Safety: A Florida workplace injury roundup highlights transportation incidents, falls and construction as top fatal risk areas, with manufacturing listed among the higher-fatality industries. Business Growth: Duos Technologies was added to the Russell 2000 Index as it scales modular edge data centers and GPU-as-a-Service for AI demand. Public Health Watch: Florida leaders and medical experts are warning about 7-OH products, describing them as a potent opioid derivative often marketed like kratom.

Defense & Aerospace Manufacturing: Massivit launched RapidWings, a turnkey composite tooling platform aimed at cutting defense and aerospace composite tooling lead times from months to days, with claims of up to 70% cost savings versus traditional tooling. Florida Economic Development: Hillwood signed a contract to buy about 192 acres at AllianceFlorida at Cecil Commerce Center in West Jacksonville, with a close expected in 2Q or 3Q 2026. EV & Outdoor Mobility Deal: Rad Life Mobility (Deerfield Beach) acquired Revelyst’s off-road e-bike brand QuietKat, expanding its presence in adventure and outdoor markets. Healthcare Supply Chain Pressure: A New York Times report says generic chemotherapy drug shortages are worsening due to manufacturing problems, shipping delays, and some companies stopping production—raising fears of rationing. Workforce & Safety: A Florida-focused roundup highlights that overexertion and musculoskeletal injuries, plus slip-and-fall incidents, remain major drivers of workplace injuries and workers’ comp claims. Coastal Resilience Tech: UM researchers deployed three 3D-printed SEAHIVE clustered structures as part of a hybrid reef restoration project off Miami Beach. Smart Tech Privacy Watch: XGIMI’s MemoMind One smart glasses face scrutiny over potential recording concerns tied to data handling.

Florida Manufacturing & Jobs: The U.S. Navy is pushing a fleet-expansion plan that would bring in additional foreign shipbuilders to build in the U.S., aiming to support about 540,000 American jobs while modernizing the sea-based nuclear deterrent. Workplace Safety: A Florida-focused look at workers’ most common injuries highlights overexertion/musculoskeletal strains and slip, trip, and fall risks as recurring drivers of claims. Local Business & Development: Sarasota County’s new “business park” district is hitting friction as officials weigh changes like drive-thru approvals, smaller acreage requirements, and higher building limits against concerns tied to the Live Local Act. Manufacturing Tech & Materials: Soane Materials launched SoaneClean Wet Wipes, pitching flushable wipes that deliver wet strength plus fast dispersibility without requiring capital retrofits. Defense Manufacturing: Quantum Cyber says it will acquire a Bridgeport, Connecticut facility and installed metal-forming and machining equipment to expand domestic autonomous defense production. Legal/Policy: Florida’s mobile home industry group is seeking to amend its lawsuit against Sebring over a 2022 code change affecting mobile home replacement.