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Is downtown Jacksonville on the verge of a historic transformation? We're sitting down with the CEO of the Downtown Investment Authority. Plus, changes are taking flight at Jacksonville International Airport. A look at the new concourse, new nonstop flights, and a third parking garage, that are all on the way. And, preparing a long-term strategic plan for Jacksonville's future. The city's Chief Resilience Officer joins us to discuss the work of the Office of Resilience.

Entrepreneur Darien “Jack” Jackson returns to This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition to open his newest downtown venture in the Elbow: Dapper Cheesesteaks downstairs paired with a cigar lounge experience upstairs in the former 11 Ocean space. Jackson walks host Kent Justice through a year of delays—from a slow permitting process and repeated plan revisions to contractor turnover that even led to litigation—before finally landing with a new construction team and clearing inspections ahead of a Friday grand opening.

Florida Lawmakers still need to pass a budget before July first. Meanwhile, the Jacksonville City Council is pressing ahead with the JEA investigation and possible subpoenas, even as business leaders call it overreach. Add the push to pause AI data centers, and the pressure of affordable housing as Downtown grows. Government law attorney Chris Hand breaks down what the law allows, what it requires, and what happens if leaders get it wrong?

Florida now requires a stand-alone personal financial literacy course for high school graduation - but guests on This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition say the real question is whether it changes behavior. Host Kent Justice talks with Dr. Ronetta Wards of the Jacksonville Public Education Fund (JPEF) and Howard Dale of the Rotary Club of Jacksonville about what “financial literacy” should actually mean for 17- and 18-year-olds: credit, debt, taxes, budgeting, savings, investing, and even emerging currency like crypto.

On This Week In Jacksonville - the power struggles shaping City Hall. The mayor under fire over a campaign complaint while her office insists everything was done by the book. A fresh wave of controversy swirling around JEA - now with subpoenas and politics colliding over oversight. And as Jacksonville wrestles with affordability and growth, we'll press for what 'progress' really means heading into the next year.  Mayor Donna Deegan joins us. And later, former Congressman Jason Altmire on the national political climate and what it means for Jacksonville.

Kent Justice talks with former Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Akin Ayodele, now Gallagher’s market leader for South Florida, about the Gallagher Partnership Internship Program with the Jaguars—designed to help pro athletes translate what they’ve built in sports (resilience, preparation, competition, leadership) into post-playing careers, especially in consultative sales and risk management. Ayodele explains how the program works (typically in the offseason), what interns experience day-to-day inside Gallagher, and why he believes employers should value an athlete’s mindset even if the résumé doesn’t look “traditional.”

In Florida, power isn't just won at the ballot box. It's drawn with a pen. Right now, a high stakes fight over congressional redistricting is shaping who gets heard and who gets left out. Then, a headline that lands like a thunderclap. The Department of Justice indicts former FBI Director James Comey, igniting new questions about justice, politics, and trust in the institutions meant to keep the nation steady. Plus, a life measured in public service. We're joined by Bill Nelson, former U.S. senator, NASA administrator, and one of Florida's most enduring figures in national life.

Kent Justice talks with Colin Tarbert, the new CEO of Jacksonville’s Downtown Investment Authority, about what DIA actually does and what’s driving the current wave of downtown activity. Tarbert explains DIA’s role as downtown’s community redevelopment agency - collecting tax increment financing from the Northbank and Southbank and reinvesting it to spur economic growth - while also serving as the city’s economic development arm focused on downtown.

Florida politics comes with a ticking clock. A rare special session kicks off in Tallahassee with redistricting on the table, and new battles over AI rules and so-called medical freedom. But while the Capitol chases headlines, the kitchen-table issues remain unresolved: the budget, property taxes, and whether any real relief is coming. And the next campaign season is already taking shape - tight statewide races, new party talk, and early maneuvering for Jacksonville's 2027 mayor's race. Government law attorney Chris Hand joins us with what it all means, and what to watch next... On This Week in Jacksonville.

Clayton Pritchard, a Jacksonville-based product marketer with experience at Meta, LinkedIn and Twitter, joins This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition to explain his acquisition of a B2B product marketing agency (Olivine) and why he’s choosing to run it remote-first from Jacksonville Beach.

In this episode, Constant Contact’s Dave Charest explains why the most effective “one-two punch” remains social media plus email, and why email delivers more control and more reliable engagement than algorithm-driven social feeds.

This week: questions and controversy at JEA. Investigations, leadership turmoil, and what it could mean for your utility bill. Jacksonville City Councilman Michael Boylan joins me with what he says needs to happen next. Then, Florida lawmakers are headed back to Tallahassee for a high-stakes special session -- finalizing the budget, redrawing congressional maps, and debating property tax relief. State Senator Tracie Davis is here with what's on the line for Northeast Florida.

Two special elections, two stunners: Democrats flipped a Hillsborough County state Senate seat by 408 votes, and they flipped a Palm Beach County House seat that includes President Trump's Mar-a-Lago district - once considered safely Republican. These weren't just local races. They're a political weather report, and they point to a national environment shaped by Washington. Chris Hand joins us as we connect the dots on This Week in Jacksonville.

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.