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As Northeast Florida heads into Q2 2026, Bank of America Jacksonville President & Southeast Regional Executive Mark Bennett says local business confidence has shifted toward growth - if owners have the right capital in place to seize opportunities. Bennett shares three priorities he’s hearing most from Jacksonville leaders and also points to continued strength in sectors like advanced manufacturing, fintech/financial services, healthcare, and technology as companies adopt more AI solutions.

A legislative session in Florida with nearly 2,000 bills filed, but no state budget, no agreement on property taxes and some of the biggest issues left unresolved. From artificial intelligence and school policy to gun laws and what happens next in Tallahassee. We sat down with a key lawmaker poised to become Florida's next Speaker of the House. What got done, what didn't and what it means for you.

Jacksonville’s rapid growth is putting new pressure on an old bottleneck: permitting. On this episode of This Week in Jacksonville Business Edition, Kent Justice talks with Sabrina Dugan, managing partner of SwiftBuild.ai, about how artificial intelligence is being used to speed up plan review—without removing human oversight.

 JEA and Jacksonville's City Council -- Are they still at odds on the same side of an argument with one of the city's largest healthcare providers? We're examining the latest on the request from the Inspector General. Plus, council members line up for leadership positions. Rahman Johnson joins us on This Week In Jacksonville.

VyStar Credit Union paired a regional survey with TransUnion data and found Jacksonville residents are experiencing high financial stress - with higher debt and delinquency than national averages. VyStar’s chief marketing officer Dana Karzan discusses a community-focused approach that includes a debt payoff challenge, financial education and fraud-prevention outreach.

Questions about war powers in Washington - and concern for military families here at home. Florida Congressman Byron Donalds joins me to talk about the president's authority, the potential risks for U.S. troops, and why he's running to be Florida's next governor. Plus, a political fight involving JEA, City Hall, and the City Council is raising new questions in Jacksonville. Mayor Donna Deegan joins us to talk about that controversy, what she's hearing from residents about affordability, and new initiatives on literacy and workforce development.

This week’s episode of "This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition" previews Players Championship week at TPC Sawgrass with executive director Lee Smith. He explains why running the tournament is a “52-week-a-year job,” outlines changes for this year — including a smaller field, new fan areas and drone coverage — and discusses economic impact for northeast Florida.

It's the controversy creeping through several layers at City Hall and in local government, with JEA's board of directors at the center. The City Council President and JEA's Chief Executive, the current mayor and the most recent mayor, the board chair and vice chair. There's a lot to unpack after a text message stirred up suspicion and led to serious accusations.

Immigration enforcement, using the military in local communities or targeting countries and companies with tariffs. Today we're looking at the intersection of law and policy, regardless of the politics in an issue. Rick Mullaney lends his voice of experience as an attorney and the former General Counsel in the city of Jacksonville. Plus, she served as Florida's 12th Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Plus, Nikki Fried leads the Florida Democratic Party. She joins us On This Week in Jacksonville.

In this episode of This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition, host Kent Justice talks with Mark Wilson, president and CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, about the latest data showing a decline in childhood poverty across Florida. They discuss what this means for local businesses, the importance of targeting efforts at the zip code level, and how businesses can play a crucial role in breaking the cycle of generational poverty. Wilson shares insights on the Florida Prosperity Initiative and the power of community partnerships to create economic opportunity and safer neighborhoods. If you care about the future of Northeast Florida’s workforce and economy, this episode is a must-listen.

One side says the issue has been handled and nothing illegal happened. The other side says it's time for a legal challenge. This week, we examine the growing rift between the state government and the city of Jacksonville. Downtown growth has been a priority for years. But now, leaders are considering eliminating a key development tool and cutting back on incentives. Plus, mid-decade redistricting is on the governor's agenda. Now, he may have a court date, too. Chris Hand joins us to explain on This Week in Jacksonville.

NEFBA President Scott Brannock (Tidewater Homes) joins This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition to explain what the Northeast Florida Builders Association does, why workforce development is his biggest 2026 priority, and how local policies can either expand attainable housing—or make it harder to build.

A school district is still celebrating but also taking on the challenges. Duval County's superintendent joins us today. What led to the district's best academic performance and how do educators make sure it keeps happening? We will also ask Dr. Christopher Bernier about the concerns of the community.

In this episode of “This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition,” host Kent Justice talks with Revival 250 organizer Chris Widener and Bold City Church pastor Jason Masters about Revival 250—an upcoming faith-focused event scheduled for May 3 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville.

Floridians are talking about affordability and so are the candidates. Jacksonville's Paul Renner says there are solutions, especially when it comes to utility bills and energy costs. We'll hear from the former Speaker of the Florida House. Economic success is at the heart of the mission for Jacksonville's Chamber of Commerce. Chief Executive Daniel Davis discusses the creative efforts to engage members and support businesses in our area. Plus, Secretary of Elder Affairs Michelle Branham, a local compassionate FORCE, serving the state of Florida. We'll explore the Operation Senior Shield and Florida's leadership in Aging Services. 

Victor Dover - co-founder and principal of Dover Kohl & Partners and keynote speaker for Scenic Jacksonville’s Sixth Annual Great Cities Symposium (Feb. 5) - joins Kent Justice to discuss how cities can grow in ways that strengthen quality of life and long-term economic competitiveness. Dover argues that communities aren’t just recruiting businesses; they’re recruiting people—and the experience “outside between buildings” can be a deciding factor for talent, investment, and lasting prosperity.

As Florida's legislative session begins, so do campaigns to replace the chief executive. Lt. Gov. Jay Collins discusses his military background, his work as a state senator, and what he aims to prove since being appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. And it's been nearly a year since President Donald Trump started his second term. Has "Trump 2.0" been radically different from eight years ago? News4JAX Political Analyst Rick Mullaney will explore the successes and failures in both policy and politics.

Dr. Kyle Mikals and Dr. Samantha Mikals, both military veterans and board-certified physicians, share their journey transitioning from military medicine to launching a concierge healthcare practice in Jacksonville. They discuss leadership lessons from their service, the unique benefits of concierge and direct primary care, and their vision for growing a patient-focused practice that balances quality care with work-life fulfillment. They also highlight the importance of community support for veterans and the evolving healthcare landscape in Northeast Florida.

We are now days away from the two-month-long journey to Tallahassee for state lawmakers. Our preview of the Florida Legislative Session includes State Rep. Wyman Duggan - and his proposals that affect the Rodman dam and Duval County schools. Higher education is also on the board for the House and Senate, along with guns and vaccines. Insider Chris Hand walks us through the points of contention we expect to see and the plan by the minority party to push ahead their platform - on This Week in Jacksonville.

In this episode of This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition, host Kent Justice talks with Ryan Smith, founder of First Coast Metalworks and the Jacksonville Innovation Hub. Ryan shares his journey from local fabrication to creating a centralized innovation space that supports entrepreneurs with prototyping tools, workspace, and investor connections. Learn how the Innovation Hub aims to accelerate product development, foster collaboration, and build a stronger startup ecosystem in Northeast Florida.