- December 16, 2025
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Two new P.R. nonstops
JetBlue and AirTran airlines both plan to add new nonstop flights next spring from Tampa International Airport to San Juan, Puerto Rico. JetBlue aims to offer two daily trips starting in May, while AirTran will add its flights in April.
The dual announcements by the low-fare carriers may solve a problem for TIA, which has been criticized for not offering enough flights outside the continental U.S. Currently, only American Airlines offers nonstop service between Tampa and San Juan, while more such flights are available from Orlando.
Trying to meet the demand of the Latin community, TIA previously offered financial incentives for additional flights leaving the mainland, but they came up short of airlines' demands.
USAmeriBank expands
Largo-based USAmeriBank is looking to open a new branch in St. Petersburg. The proposed office, at 1840 Fourth St. N., is currently occupied by Cornerstone Community Bank.
Cornerstone, based in St. Petersburg, said it plans to sell the building and land to USAmeriBank while moving deposits to another nearby branch. The deal is subject to approval by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and other banking regulators.
USAmeriBank operates on both sides of Tampa Bay, with four branches in Tampa and one each in Largo and Clearwater. It is among the largest community based banks along the Gulf Coast, with $876.3 million in assets at midyear.
Humana hiring
A division of health care giant Humana Inc. announced it is adding 270 positions at its St. Petersburg operation by Dec. 31, bringing total employment there to 780. The local Humana Cares center has more than tripled its personnel since opening in February of last year.
Humana Cares will launch a new program in January to address chronic condition management, with the new hires helping serve 60,000 Humana customers nationwide. The expansion will add to the division's core competency of serving members of Medicare and Medicaid.
City increases taxes
Sarasota city commissioners made cuts to their annual budget during a Sept. 20 meeting, but still imposed a small tax increase on residents.
The commission officially approved a four-cent bump in the tax rate for debt, which means a property with a taxable value of $100,000 will pay $319, up from $315. The construction of a new police station was cited as the main reason for the tax increase.
Commissioners, meanwhile, cut other parts of the budget, trimming $5 million from the spending budget, which was $168.6 million in the most recent fiscal year. Cuts include eliminating 34 city jobs and not offering raises for any current employees. The city also slashed the subsidy it pays to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
Unemployment rate rises
The combined job losses in Sarasota and Manatee counties in August was smaller than any other Gulf Coast county, according to the latest data from the Agency for Workforce Innovation.
Still, each county's overall unemployment numbers increased from July, albeit slightly, to 12.3% in Sarasota County and 12.8% in Manatee County. Some state officials and economists attribute the increase partially to jobseekers that returned to the labor market after previously giving up on a search for employment.
Foreclosure delays project
A mixed-use project near Heritage Harbour — a large residential development in northeast Manatee County — is on hold because a bank filed a foreclosure suit against the project's lead developer.
The bank, BB&T, contends the developer, Heritage Harbour Development LLC, defaulted on a line of credit worth $10.5 million regarding a property on Upper Manatee River Road. In its foreclosure suit, the bank says the development firm owes at least $8 million in principal and interest on the loan.
The land, a onetime operating dairy farm, was to be used to expand Heritage Harbour, a mix of apartments, condos and single-family homes just east of Interstate 75 on State Road 64. Initial plans for the project included building at least 2,000 more homes, nearly 500,000 square feet of retail space and a hotel.
Allegiant adds flights
Allegiant Air announced plans to add three nonstop destinations from the Charlotte County Airport in Punta Gorda beginning Nov. 18: Greensboro, N.C., Grand Rapids, Mich. and Lexington, Ky.
Currently, the Las Vegas-based discount airline flies twice-weekly nonstop jet service from Punta Gorda to Greenville-Spartanburg, S.C., and Knoxville, Tenn., with more flights planned for the winter holidays.
Investors buy TwinEagles
Angelo, Gordon & Co., a New York City investment firm, has teamed with Naples-based developer The Ronto Group to buy TwinEagles from Bonita Bay Group for $11 million.
TwinEagles is a 1,115-acre luxury residential community in North Naples with two championship golf courses. Bonita Bay Group has been selling assets such as TwinEagles as the private development company based in Bonita Springs struggles with the housing collapse.
The Ronto Group has built more than 12,000 homes since 1967. Besides land and commercial development, Ronto is the developer of Palmira Golf & Country Club in Bonita Springs, Forest Glen in Naples and Hideaway Beach in Marco Island.
Alico reclaims land
Land management company Alico reclaimed a 4,157-acre tract of land at auction near Florida Gulf Coast University after foreclosing on Orlando developer Ginn Co.
Alico's subsidiary, Alico-Agri, held a $52.2 million mortgage on the property in addition to $1.7 million in tax certificates. The land has two approved development orders, one for 336 homes and another for a 27-hole golf course.
The company is evaluating options for the property.
