Featured Stories

By Kamal I. Latham Great things are coming to Alachua and Newberry.  A major road project and improved park and recreational facilities are in the pipeline.  With nearly $10 million in combined infrastructure investment on the horizon, visionary leaders in both cities have impressive plans for the future. Alachua   Governor Rick Scott announced a...

By Patricia Vernon What happens when you have launched or are about to launch a public relations campaign in your community and a tragic or devastating event occurs? Drew Piers, partner and director of campaigns at Sachs Media Group in Tallahassee, offers some best practices. “Even if your message or campaign has the most positive...

The American Farmer is alive and well in north central Florida, but who is he or she?  Many small farmers stay in the industry because they are passionate about protecting the land and their family heritage.  Here, two local farmers share their experiences and commitment to farming cattle and crops.   ALVIN BUTLER – BUTLER...

Fast casual chain will begin welcoming guests this spring South Florida-based fast casual chain Miami Grill will open a new location at The Standard at Gainesville this spring. The popular eatery will join a host of other well-known retailers and restaurants — including Chick-fil-A, Chase Bank and Target — at the new mixed-use development on...

In 2008, Chef Roy Choi began driving a truck around Los Angeles, selling Korean tacos for $2.00 each. By 2010, the Food Network premiered, The Great Food Truck Race nationally. And today, with over 4,000 food trucks on the streets of America, the mobile food industry generates over $1 billion in revenue.   This culinary...

By Tracy Wright Gainesville’s business scene is thriving, and one of the many features that have attracted people to the city is the priority to keep things local. Working Food is a non-profit organization that was developed to build a sustainable local food community “through collaboration, economic opportunity, education, and seed stewardship.” Working Food grew...

Keep Alachua County Beautiful (KACB) will hold its 25th annual Great American Cleanup “Clean Your Block Party,” on Saturday, April 7. All are invited to help the effort at Albert “Ray” Massey (Westside) Park, 1001 NW 34th Street, Gainesville, FL 32601. KACB will provide supplies and volunteers can choose a site or be assigned one....

The Gainesville Arts & Parks Foundation (GAP), has received a $50,000 endowment gift from the Arts Association of Alachua County (AAAC) honoring the late arts leader Doris Bardon. In recognition of this generous donation, the current Historic Thomas Center’s Mezzanine Gallery will be re-named “The Doris Bardon Gallery.” “This gift is the first received towards...

Entrepreneur Shuchi Vyas offers her experiences in the co-founding of GuestBox, and the role that StartUp Weekend Gainesville played in its development. New York City, 2016: I was trying desperately to get something of my own off the ground. After I had spent all of 2015 traveling the world and working with local nonprofits, I...

By Kamal I. Latham What does it take to lead a mission-driven organization? Three experienced non-profit leaders in the region shared their thoughts on how to succeed. Their timeless – yet timely – wisdom is valuable to any executive charged with fulfilling a vision while simultaneously watching a bottom line. Step #1: Get a Mentor!...