AGP Executive Report

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.

Space & Aerospace: AST SpaceMobile says BlueBirds 8, 9 and 10 are now in orbit and operational, with BlueBirds 11–13 targeted from Cape Canaveral in early August as production pushes through BlueBird 37. Port & Logistics: Rayonier signed space in Atlanta’s Terminus 100 for a new HQ starting in 2027, even as the company’s current base remains in Yulee, Fla. Manufacturing Workforce: Enkei America will close its North Jacksonville wheel plant, citing labor recruitment/retention issues and high operating costs; 62 jobs are set to end Aug. 30. EV Charging Buildout: IONNA expands its EV charging footprint with more “Rechargery” sites, including a Tampa Bay-area location in Seffner. Policy & Business Climate: DeSantis signed eight more bills ahead of July 1, including a stablecoin framework and other measures affecting Florida’s business landscape. Energy Prices: A new look at how Middle East tensions can quickly hit U.S. fuel prices highlights the link between geopolitics and everyday costs.

Plant Closures & Layoffs: Enkei America will shut its North Jacksonville wheelmaking plant, citing labor recruitment/retention issues and high operating and maintenance costs; 62 jobs are set to end Aug. 30. Workforce & Training: Charlotte County broke ground on a Southwest Florida Advanced Manufacturing Training Center at the Enterprise Charlotte Airport Park, backed by $1.75M in the 2025-26 budget, aiming to deliver industry credentials for students and adult learners. Industrial Real Estate: Babcock Ranch celebrated the opening of Curry Commerce Center, a 255,000-square-foot flex/light industrial complex meant to attract office, warehouse, service, distribution and light manufacturing tenants. EV Charging Expansion: IONNA continues rolling out its partner-backed charging network and adds standalone “Rechargery” sites designed for reliability and amenities for drivers on the go. Local Business Growth: JellyFil launched its first men’s wellness gummy supplement from Largo, marking a shift into commercial operations and selected international markets. Corporate Moves: Rayonier signed a lease for new HQ space in Atlanta starting in 2027, even as it remains tied to its Florida base in Yulee. Policy Watch: DeSantis signed multiple bills into law ahead of July 1, including a measure allowing cash-price rounding to the nearest nickel.

Workforce & Training: Charlotte County broke ground on a Southwest Florida Advanced Manufacturing Training Center at the Enterprise Charlotte Airport Park, backed by a $1.75M state budget line, aiming to deliver hands-on instruction and industry credentials for students and adult learners. EV Charging Buildout: IONNA is expanding its branded charging network in Florida, including standalone “Rechargery” sites and partner locations, with a focus on reliability and high-amenity driver stops. Local Business Growth: FIU’s Florida SBDC will host “Business At Its Best” awards in Miami-Dade and the Keys, spotlighting manufacturers and logistics firms among honorees. Policy Watch (Florida): Gov. DeSantis signed multiple bills, including SB 1074’s “nearest nickel” cash rounding option that could affect everyday retail checkout math. Regulatory Fight (National, Florida-linked): Florida is among states joining a lawsuit challenging California’s plastics packaging law, arguing it raises costs and burdens manufacturers nationwide. Energy/Industry (National): XCF Global says its New Rise Renewables Reno facility is progressing through reformer startup and catalyst activation steps toward initial renewable fuel production.

Workforce & Training: Charlotte County broke ground on a Southwest Florida Advanced Manufacturing Training Center, aiming to connect students and adult learners to industry credentials near Punta Gorda Airport. Workforce Recognition: FIU’s Florida SBDC will host “Business At Its Best” awards in Miami-Dade and the Keys, spotlighting local manufacturers and entrepreneurs. EV Charging Buildout: IONNA expands in Florida with Rechargery sites and partner charging bays, leaning on 400kW reliability and “rest stop” amenities for drivers. State Policy Impact: Gov. DeSantis signed eight more bills as July 1 approaches, including a stablecoin framework and other measures affecting business and law enforcement. Retail Pricing Rule: DeSantis signed SB 1074, letting cash retailers round totals to the nearest nickel, while card and online sales keep pennies. Manufacturing Supply Chain: Boise Cascade pleaded guilty in a timber trafficking case tied to illegal hardwood imports routed through its Pompano distribution center. Local Business & Industry: A Campbell Snacks expansion will boost Pepperidge Farm Goldfish production and add an onsite flour mill to improve supply reliability. Energy & Data Centers: Florida’s data-center tax break remains a flashpoint as DeSantis-backed policy critics question who benefits.

Workforce & Training: Charlotte County broke ground on the Southwest Florida Advanced Manufacturing Training Center, a new Charlotte County Technical College facility in the Enterprise Charlotte Airport Park, backed by a $1.75M state budget line and aimed at hands-on training plus industry credentials for students and adult learners. Corporate & Legal: Boise Cascade pleaded guilty in a timber trafficking scheme tied to illegal hardwood imports, with the company admitting it bought and moved more than $30M of suspect material through its Pompano distribution center. Trade & Industry: Business groups are pushing for a clean USMCA extension as the 16-year deal heads toward a missed deadline, with industry seeking long-term certainty. Policy & Regulation: Gov. DeSantis vetoed three bills, including an electric bicycle measure he said could lead to enhanced local surveillance. Manufacturing Supply Chain: Cincinnati CBP seized thousands of counterfeit FIFA World Cup 2026 items during “Protect the Pitch,” targeting shipments that would have undercut legitimate manufacturers. Capital Markets: LGL Group said its transferable subscription rights will trade on OTC Markets under ticker “LGLGR” starting June 29.

Autonomous Manufacturing & Maritime: Haddy says its large-format 3D printing helped deliver a low-profile unmanned surface vehicle hull in days, not months, using carbon-fiber reinforced LFAM and a “microfactory” model aimed at faster iteration for maritime projects. Florida Infrastructure Growth: Lee Contracting expands beyond Michigan with the acquisition of central Florida’s Cathcart Construction Company, adding nearly 300 employees and deepening water-system contracting capacity in Winter Springs and Tampa Bay. Public Safety Tech: Orlando Police launched a Drone as a First Responder program using Skydio X10 DFR units to send live video to the city’s crime center and speed officer decision-making during 911 calls. Energy & Grid Readiness: A new demand-response approach pairs batteries with plug-in air conditioners/heat pumps to shave peak load, turning everyday HVAC into grid-support assets. Workforce Watch: Florida’s unemployment rate held at 4.8% in May, with small-business hiring described as essentially flat. Business Tech for Manufacturers: Insight Works added 10 Microsoft Business Central partners, expanding local ERP support across manufacturing and distribution markets.