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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.

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.

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan addressed recent controversies during her appearance on This Week In Jacksonville, including criticism over a hologram display at Jacksonville International Airport and tensions with Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier regarding a gun registry probe at City Hall.

Florida State Senator Tom Leek, representing St. Johns, Flagler, Putnam counties and parts of Volusia, shared insights from the ongoing legislative session in Tallahassee. Leek highlighted progress on Senate Bill 482, known as the AI Bill of Rights, which aims to protect vulnerable populations.

In this episode of This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition, host Kent Justice sits down with Bryan Moll, CEO of GatewayJax, to discuss one of Northeast Florida’s most ambitious redevelopment projects. Moll shares insights from his experience overseeing $6 billion in real estate projects and explains how Pearl Square is poised to transform downtown Jacksonville with new housing, retail, parks, and a full-service Publix grocery store. Tune in to hear about the challenges, community engagement, and exciting progress shaping the future of Jacksonville’s urban core.

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, with a national and international livestream.

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.

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.

As Florida’s legislative session begins, Clay County leaders Ted Yoho and Sam Garrison shared their perspectives on the proposed property tax repeal and other key issues facing the region.

Downtown Jacksonville continues strong growth as 2025 ends, says Jake Gordon, CEO of Downtown Vision, Inc., who has been leading the organization for nearly 11 years and joined the next episode of “This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition.”

In this episode of This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition, Kent Justice talks with David Montanez, vice president of franchise development for Authority Brands, about the growing franchise opportunities in Northeast Florida and beyond. Montanez explains how franchising offers a proven business model that reduces risk and supports entrepreneurs, including many veterans transitioning from military service.

Matthew Chang, CEO of Chang Robotics and author of the Amazon bestseller Risk Taking is Biblical, joins Kent Justice to share his journey blending faith and entrepreneurship. He discusses how smart risk-taking, humility, and mentorship guide his leadership, and how Jacksonville is becoming a hub for robotics innovation.

The Main Street Bridge is more than just a way to cross the St. Johns River — it stands as an iconic symbol of Jacksonville’s skyline and identity.

James Fishback, an investment firm executive, recently announced his candidacy for Florida governor in the 2026 race. He aims to challenge Republican Congressman Byron Donalds, who has President Trump’s endorsement.