AGP Executive Report

Food Safety Recall: Walmart-sold Bettergoods Pistachio Nut Butter was recalled in 19 states after Florida Department of Agriculture testing found possible Salmonella in jars (Lot LB028ACP04, exp. Jan. 28, 2027); no illnesses reported yet, but shoppers are urged to return for a refund. Local Water Rules: Punta Gorda residents were told a pesticide company sign doesn’t mean a full-week watering exemption; Southwest Florida Water Management District rules allow only limited “watering-in” tied to product instructions. Manufacturing & Business: Neogen reported Q4 2026 results with revenue of $225.3M and growth led by Food Safety culture media and sanitation products, plus margin expansion. Aerospace/Advanced Manufacturing: Ampaire began hybrid-electric aircraft demonstration flights in Utah under an FAA pilot program, using its Electric EEL testbed to cut fuel use while maintaining range. Construction & Housing: Toll Brothers announced the final home in Seabrook Village at Nocatee, priced at $799,000 and move-in ready in October 2026. Labor Market: US employers cut 23,000 jobs in July and revised prior hiring downward, pointing to a softer labor market.

Defense Spending Watch: Congress weighs a major boost to Pentagon funding, with Texas, California and Virginia historically pulling in the most federal defense dollars—good news for some states, but a reminder that Florida’s defense footprint depends on where contracts land. Food Safety & Recalls: Walmart-linked Bettergoods pistachio nut butter is recalled in 19 states, including Florida, after Florida agriculture testing found Salmonella in jars (no illnesses reported). Public Health Access: A study finds more than a quarter of people starting buprenorphine for opioid use disorder never pick up the prescription—pharmacy access is becoming a bigger failure point. Florida Environment & Industry: Florida’s PFAS firefighting-foam transition deadline is July 1, 2029, but Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport says it’s ahead of schedule. Manufacturing/Tech in Florida: EU Motors plans exclusive stator production and automated robotic assembly at its Hallandale Beach facility, targeting 350,000+ drone motors in 2026. Local Business: Vision Marine Technologies appoints a new general manager for its Nautical Ventures Florida retail/service platform.

Public Health & Environment: A radioactive phosphogypsum waste stack near Progress Village, a historically Black community southeast of Tampa, is set to expand under a federal review, raising alarms that more than 11,000 residents could face higher cancer risk. Marine Manufacturing & Retail: Vision Marine Technologies named Lakshmi Rampersaud general manager for Nautical Ventures Group, overseeing day-to-day operations across sales, service, purchasing and inventory. Drone Supply Chain: EU Motors says it will expand U.S. stator production and add in-house robotic assembly lines, targeting 350,000+ drone motors in 2026. Aerospace Update (Florida): Blue Origin linked the New Glenn May explosion to a faulty oxygen valve on its BE-4 engine and says modified hardware will be ready by month-end. Water Quality Tech: Florida Atlantic University won an EPA grant to use AI-guided, 3D-printed structures made from sargassum to remove phosphorus and help prevent harmful algal blooms in Lake Okeechobee. Healthcare Manufacturing Policy: Florida AG James Uthmeier subpoenaed Dr. Anthony Fauci as states probe whether COVID-era guidance involved improper personal gain. Food & Consumer Safety: Amazon faces a proposed class action over alleged heavy-metal contamination in Orgain protein powder, following similar litigation tied to Costco.

Marine Deal: FHG Marine Engineering (Pompano Beach) acquired Scott Marine Power (Fort Lauderdale), effective July 31, keeping SMP’s workforce and combining service and parts support for South Florida’s yachting, shipping, cruise and government marine customers. Space & Aerospace: Blue Origin says the New Glenn May explosion traced to a faulty main oxygen valve on a BE-4 engine, and it’s making small valve modifications that can be retrofitted to existing engines. Defense Innovation: The Navy honored three NAWCWD winners with top science and engineering awards, including work improving Hawkeye radar performance. Water Quality Tech: Florida Atlantic University won an $800,475 EPA grant to build AI-guided, 3D-printed phosphorus-removal structures using sargassum to help prevent harmful algal blooms in Lake Okeechobee. Public Safety Tech Debate: A Senate panel voted to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt as Florida and other states pursue inquiries tied to COVID-era conduct. Manufacturing & Operations Watch: Florida DEP declined requests for a public hearing on renewing Taminco’s wastewater discharge permit in Pace. Space Heritage Business: Rocketdyne officially relaunched as a standalone company headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, after L3Harris split its space propulsion units. Workforce & Logistics: Ryder received Toyota North America’s “Manufacturing Carrier of the Year” award for inbound manufacturing transportation performance. Local Industry Spotlight: FitLine opened a $25M U.S. headquarters in Sarasota to expand its nutritional supplement operations across the Americas.

Florida Policy & Courts: Florida AG James Uthmeier joined a multi-state push to subpoena Dr. Anthony Fauci, arguing his COVID-era guidance may have been tied to personal financial gain and could have broken Florida law. Space & Manufacturing: NASA and partners advanced Artemis III at Kennedy Space Center as Orion’s crew and service modules were mated, while Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp said a faulty valve triggered the New Glenn explosion on Florida’s Space Coast. Product Safety & Liability: A San Diego man sued Amazon and Florida-based makers over a tabletop fire pit fueled with rubbing alcohol, alleging “flame jetting” caused severe burns and that the product was already known to be hazardous. Construction & Local Industry: Gulfpoint Construction opened the Hector A. Cafferata, Jr. K-8 school in Lee County as the district’s first P3 campus, highlighting a turnkey delivery model for critical public facilities. Workforce & Training: The University of Florida opened a $1M Autodesk-funded robotics lab for industrialized construction, aiming to tackle housing needs and construction retirements. Energy & Tech Regulation: The FCC moved foreign-made connected solar inverters onto its Covered List, tightening rules for new imports of app-connected equipment.

Aerospace & Manufacturing: NASA at Kennedy Space Center advanced Artemis III hardware, completing Orion crew-and-service module integration and pushing SLS ground work forward for next year’s crewed test mission. Industrial Construction: The University of Florida opened a robotics lab for industrialized construction, funded by a $1M Autodesk donation, aiming to tackle housing shortages and workforce retirements with more automated, precision-built methods. eVTOL Infrastructure: Joby Aviation is partnering with Atoms to develop vertiports across key U.S. markets including Florida, signaling the shift from aircraft development to manufacturing-ready landing and charging ecosystems. Local Business & Jobs: Lakeland’s industrial real estate got a boost after MDH Partners bought a 557,100-square-foot portfolio for $66.7M, planning upgrades to speed tenant occupancy. Food Manufacturing Safety: Walmart-linked bettergoods pistachio nut butter was recalled in 19 states, including Florida, after FDACS testing found salmonella. Supply Chain/Operations: Publix reported continued sales-growth slowdown in Q2 and a lowered stock price, citing ongoing pressure from the Medicare drug pricing program. Workforce & Skills: A new robotics lab and industrialized construction degree push more advanced manufacturing skills into Florida’s construction pipeline.

Space & Manufacturing: SpaceX is set to launch three AST SpaceMobile BlueBird satellites from Cape Canaveral early Aug. 5, a step toward direct-to-phone connectivity and continued growth in Florida’s aerospace supply chain. Industrial Construction Tech: Autodesk and the University of Florida opened a new robotics lab aimed at closing the BIM-to-robot programming gap that has slowed real-world automated homebuilding. Medical Device Expansion: Excite Medical says its DRX9000-SL spinal decompression system is now listed in Australia’s ARTG, clearing the path to supply the device across the country. Energy & Nuclear: Holtec International, Entergy, and Hyundai Engineering & Construction will evaluate dual-unit SMR-300 deployments in the U.S. Gulf South, with Florida tied to the effort and potential demand from AI data centers. Food Safety: Walmart-linked Bettergoods Pistachio Nut Butter (6.7 oz, lot LB028ACP04, exp. Jan. 28, 2027) is recalled in 19 states including Florida after Salmonella was found in tested jars. Local Industry & Real Estate: A 53,330-square-foot Ormond Beach industrial facility sold for $5.6M, underscoring steady demand for warehouse and manufacturing space.

Space & Defense Industrial Push: Northrop Grumman is expanding its Melbourne, Fla. campus with a new 300,000-square-foot engineering facility to support next-gen aircraft programs, adding capacity for more than 1,200 engineers and secure labs. Aerospace Dealmaking: AE Industrial Partners has finalized its acquisition of L3Harris’s space propulsion, power and electronics units, relaunching the business as Rocketdyne. Advanced Manufacturing & Semiconductors: IonQ completed its $1.8B acquisition of SkyWater Technology after FTC clearance, bringing wafer fabrication and advanced packaging in-house while keeping SkyWater as an IonQ subsidiary. Florida Industrial Growth: AssetBuilt will oversee major industrial auctions tied to Cutrale’s Leesburg, Fla. citrus processing and beverage facility. Food Safety (Florida-linked): Walmart’s Bettergoods Pistachio Nut Butter is recalled in 19 states after Florida Department of Agriculture testing found Salmonella; the FDA says only one lot (LB028ACP04, exp. Jan. 28, 2027) is affected. Logistics & Capacity Watch: A transportation market check shows July capacity shrinking faster even as pricing rises more slowly. Workforce & Community: MARTAC (Melbourne) reported record first-half results and plans to scale production for autonomous unmanned surface vessels.

Product Liability Watch: Florida’s 5th District Court of Appeal upheld a $103M jury award against Ford after a modified Mustang exploded in 2017, focusing on the narrow limits of how manufacturers can argue product-defect cases on appeal. Food Safety Recall: Walmart shoppers in 19 states were told to check pantries after Bettergoods Pistachio Nut Butter (lot LB028ACP04) was recalled for possible Salmonella contamination; Florida inspectors collected jars during routine checks. Industrial Policy & Jobs: Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds and Sen. Ashley Moody renewed the push to move NASA headquarters to Brevard County under the CAPE Canaveral Act, aiming to cut travel and align leadership with the Space Coast. Manufacturing Growth & Workforce: Brevard’s local business roundup highlights new leadership and economic development moves, including Tim Balz joining Groundswell Startups’ board and Gretchen Sauerman named Palm Bay’s economic development director. Nuclear Manufacturing Capital: Valar Atomics announced a $1B Series B to scale from a demonstration reactor to a manufactured fleet after powering an Nvidia AI chip—an inflection point for commercial nuclear. Community Environmental Risk: A Tampa-area phosphogypsum stack near Progress Village is drawing renewed scrutiny as residents weigh health concerns tied to fertilizer waste.

Florida Manufacturing Spotlight (Aug. 3): Wontech USA is bringing its in-house built energy-based aesthetic platforms—Oligio X RF skin-tightening, PicoCare Majesty picosecond laser, and V-Laser vascular—into AES 2026 in Boca Raton, signaling more U.S. push for advanced medical manufacturing. Workforce & Training: Inteplast is urging manufacturers to rethink Gen Z recruitment through apprenticeships, school partnerships, and clearer career paths as retirements loom. Policy & Consumer Safety: Florida’s kratom debate is heating up as HART’s Jeff Smith argues for regulation (age limits, child-resistant packaging, warnings) rather than a ban on 7-OH products. Local Industry & Community Pressure: A radioactive phosphogypsum stack tied to Mosaic’s Riverview operations is expanding near Progress Village, deepening health and environmental worries. Tech & Manufacturing Supply Chain: IonQ completes its $1.8B SkyWater acquisition, keeping SkyWater’s Florida foundry operations active while expanding U.S. semiconductor capacity. Public Safety Tech Backlash: Florida cities are facing mounting pushback over license plate readers, with privacy concerns driving contract pauses and protests.

Workforce & Training: Inteplast is urging U.S. manufacturers to rethink recruitment by leaning harder on apprenticeships, school partnerships, and clearer career paths as Gen Z shows growing interest in skilled trades amid retirements. Power Infrastructure: HD Hyundai Electric marked its 1,000th ultra-high-voltage transformer built in Alabama; the 500kV unit is headed to Georgia Transmission for installation in Walton County, Florida, highlighting expanding U.S. capacity. Florida Business Growth: Bauducco is investing $200M in a new Zephyrhills facility, adding 600+ jobs and boosting domestic production to shorten lead times for baked goods. Aerospace Push: Rep. Byron Donalds unveiled “Florida’s Space Race,” proposing to relocate NASA headquarters to Brevard County to speed permitting and build an aerospace workforce. Public Health Watch: Miami-Dade confirmed a locally acquired dengue case, triggering mosquito-control and surveillance efforts. Supply Chain & Compliance: DOJ’s Trade Fraud Task Force topped $1B in recoveries and charged losses, targeting customs and trade misdeclarations. Real Estate/Industrial Land: Citrus Springs Industrial Holdings bought 1,456 acres south of The Villages for $40M, with strict limits on extraction and mining uses.

Space & Aerospace Jobs: Rep. Byron Donalds is pushing “Florida’s Space Race,” proposing to move NASA headquarters to Brevard County, with claims of faster permitting and a statewide workforce pipeline. Power Equipment Manufacturing: HD Hyundai Electric marked its 1,000th ultra-high-voltage transformer built in Alabama; the milestone unit is headed to Georgia Transmission for the Florida grid in Walton County. Food Manufacturing Expansion: Bauducco is investing $200M in a new Zephyrhills, Fla. facility, targeting faster supply and adding 600+ jobs as it ramps U.S. production. Local Business Brokerage: Truforte Business Group says it’s restructuring—adding W-2 employees and ending some independent contractor relationships—to raise service standards for Florida dealmakers. Public Health Watch: Miami-Dade health officials confirmed a locally acquired dengue case and are stepping up mosquito control and surveillance. Industrial Land Deal: Citrus Springs Industrial Holdings bought 1,456 acres south of The Villages for $40M, with restrictive covenants limiting extraction uses. Defense Tech Contract: Blue Origin received a nearly $12M contract modification to study rocket cargo delivery for the Air Force, with work through 2027. Manufacturing & Housing Demand: A report notes data-center growth is driving demand for manufactured homes to house construction crews, including in fast-expanding markets like South Florida.

Manufacturing Expansion in Florida: Bauducco is investing $200M in a new 160,000-square-foot facility in Zephyrhills, aiming to double capacity, shorten lead times, and bring more baked goods to U.S. shelves faster; the project is expected to create 600+ jobs. Power Infrastructure Milestone: HD Hyundai Electric marked its 1,000th ultra-high-voltage transformer produced in Alabama, with the unit headed to Georgia Transmission for deployment in Walton County, Florida—another signal of growing regional grid demand. Trade Enforcement: The DOJ’s Trade Fraud Task Force topped $1B in recoveries and charged losses in under a year, targeting customs fraud tied to mislabeling and false declarations. Defense & Aerospace Contracting: Blue Origin received an $11.7M contract modification to study rocket cargo delivery, with work split across Merritt Island and Kent. Local Industry & Jobs: AgroLiquid opened a Lake City facility at the North Florida Mega Industrial Park, adding manufacturing and distribution capacity. Workforce & Policy Pressure: Florida’s manufacturing outlook also faces headwinds as TPS protections are set to expire for large immigrant groups, raising concerns about labor shortages and higher costs.

Florida Manufacturing & Policy: Florida’s space push is getting political momentum: Rep. Byron Donalds says, if elected governor, he’ll expedite permitting for space projects, convene a “space race” summit, and build a workforce pipeline that includes welders, machinists, electricians, and construction crews. Biotech & Construction: UVA’s $350M Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology is under construction, aiming to bring R&D and manufacturing for cellular and gene therapies under one roof—though only about half the planned space will be fit out at opening to stay flexible. Manufacturing Jobs & Housing: Data-center growth is driving demand for workforce housing, with electricity and affordability pressures rising as more capacity comes online. EVs & Safety: NHTSA opened a preliminary investigation into Tesla suspension failures affecting about 1.2M vehicles, adding regulatory risk for the automaker as it expands in Florida. Local Industry & Materials: FAST Metals says it has secured its first customer and pre-seed funding to process mining waste at a Florida facility, targeting recovery of defense and manufacturing minerals. Community Impact: A radioactive phosphogypsum stack near Progress Village in Riverview remains a flashpoint for environmental justice concerns tied to fertilizer production.

Defense Tech & Sovereignty: A new report highlights why F-35 squadrons can’t reprogram their own mission data files without U.S. approval, pointing to centralized control and specialized handling tied to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. Manufacturing Expansion in Florida: AgroLiquid opened a new Lake City facility at the North Florida Mega Industrial Park, adding capacity for its nutrition-focused production and distribution footprint. Medical Supply Chain Reshuffle: Johnson & Johnson is restructuring its innovative medicine supply chain, including planned exits of certain manufacturing locations, with restructuring costs projected up to $750M through fiscal 2029. EV Charging Built in Florida: Charge Rigs launched a Custom Builds program, engineering and manufacturing one-of-a-kind DC fast charging systems at its Apopka facility. Ports & Heavy Equipment: Tropical Shipping ordered four Konecranes Gottwald mobile harbor cranes for Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with deliveries and commissioning slated for 2027. Workforce & Policy: A Jacksonville proposal would tighten e-bike rules as local hospitals report rising traumatic injuries among children.

Workforce & Training: The SanCap Chamber, Greater Fort Myers Chamber and FRLA hosted a Fort Myers luncheon spotlighting local workforce gaps and new education pathways, including The Heights CareerTech Institute and micro-credential programs. Home Hardening Tax Relief: Florida’s sales tax refund program now covers qualifying impact windows and doors, with purchases eligible from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029. EV Charging Manufacturing: Charge Rigs (Apopka) launched a Custom Builds program to design and manufacture fully specified DC fast charging systems—stationary, mobile, hybrid, and vehicle-integrated. Heat Safety Policy Push: A new look at the stalled OSHA heat standard debate asks whether multiplying state rules will force federal action. Port Equipment Upgrade: Tropical Shipping ordered four Konecranes Gottwald ESP.6 mobile harbor cranes for Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with delivery and commissioning in 2027. Semiconductor Supply Chain: IonQ completed its acquisition of SkyWater Technology, aiming to strengthen domestic chip manufacturing for quantum systems. Food Safety Recall: 529 Commerce recalled Aquafaba Powder nationwide due to possible egg contamination.