Northeast Florida business owners and leaders appear to be starting 2026 by measuring their motions. They are setting goals for what they consider the foreseeable future while remaining flexible in their long-term economic strategies for the unpredictable months and years ahead.
Along with perennial economic uncertainty, the new year opens with questions and concerns that are topped by higher costs followed by workforce needs and shortages.
AI is another force that creates competition in how business is done and life is lived.
The 30 Jacksonville CEOs, bankers, builders, entrepreneurs, lawyers, professionals and others who provided insights into their views of 2026 coalesced around the themes of caution, discipline, measured decisions and leveraged investment.
Risk appears to be inherent rather than chosen.
Topping the concerns are costs.
With inflation, tariffs and other factors, decision-makers cite the rising costs of capital, construction, food, housing, insurance, labor, operations, supply chain and technology.
Those running organizations know they will need to make adjustments, but can’t predict what to expect, or when.
Second are workforce needs.
Employers need an ample source of skilled and trainable employees. Companies considering a move to Jacksonville depend on the same.
Colleges, the school system, trade programs, in-house trainers and other groups that teach skills are on the front line of meeting those needs.
There are more 2026 cautions, such as politics and results of the midterm elections.
Artificial intelligence continues reshaping how work is done, forcing business to embrace its benefits while adjusting to its disruption by creating the critical personal human value and oversight.
Consumer and nonprofit donor confidence, Federal Reserve rate cuts, global trade volatility, the health and support of the area’s military and veterans, and the pace of sports development also are 2026 questions and concerns.
In Jacksonville, that list includes the pace and strength of Downtown development as well as the question of how tourism, hospitality and events will be affected by the renovation of EverBank Stadium into the Stadium of the Future, which means reduced attendance capacity in 2026 and the one-season departure of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2027 before construction is completed in 2028.
While not in time for the new year, a big business boost could come in 2027 when Jacksonville International Airport opens Concourse B in late 2026 with six additional airline gates.
Regionally, a primary challenge is how to manage growth without restricting economic development while maintaining quality of life and affordable housing.
The health of the St. Johns River runs through the region.
Threading through the forecasts is the need for investment not only in infrastructure but also into community development, leadership and personal improvement.
Risk can lead to reward, but the 30 leaders offering their insights urge wisdom.
They are moving forward, but with motion tempered by discipline.
What 30 Northeast Florida leaders are saying about the issues and challenges in the year ahead. Their insights will be published online over the next several days:
Jan. 2: John Avendano, Allison Bovee, Debbie Buckland, Harrison Conyers and Brittany Cooney. Story here
Coming up....
Jan 5: Michael Corrigan, Brian Coughlin, Julia Epstein, Cindy Funkhouser and Eric Green
Jan. 6: Patrick Green, Chris Hand, Jessie Spradley, Joanne Kazmierski, Pepper Lindsey
Jan. 7: Lauren Little, Steve Livingstone, Albert Loh, Tyler Matthews and Sabeen Perwaiz
Jan. 8: Lisa Rinaman, Jackie Rowland, Gracie Simendinger, Buck Smoak and Bill Sorenson
Jan. 9: Jim Stallings, Colin Tarbert, Aundra Wallace, Travis L. Williams Sr. and Chris Wilson