This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition

Hosted by News4Jax and Graham Media Group

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128

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

This Week in Jacksonville Business Edition is a weekly digital series with News4JAX anchor Kent Justice who talks with the experts about business, economic development, jobs, technology and more.

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60 recent

August 13, 202610 min

Chang Robotics Fund has answers on how to build a startup in Jacksonville

Kent Justice talks with Cheyenne LeMaire of Chang Robotics and the Chang Robotics Fund about what it takes to build—and fund—a startup in Jacksonville. They preview the Jacksonville Venture Competition on Aug. 19 at The Link (Nocatee), where six local startups pitch live in a “Shark Tank-esque” format, with speakers and networking. LeMaire explains how companies are selected, what judges prioritize (founder confidence, growth potential, and “investable” paperwork), and how the Fund’s due diligence works. They also dig into what Jacksonville’s startup ecosystem does well, what’s still missing—especially capital and mentorship—and what success would look like if more investors “band together” to support local founders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

August 6, 202621 min

Cultural Council warns arts funding cuts could ripple beyond City Hall

With Duval County budget season approaching, Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville CEO Diana Donovan joins host Kent Justice to explain what proposed cuts to arts and culture funding could mean beyond museums and performances—impacting jobs, small businesses, youth programs, and services for veterans and military families. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

July 30, 202618 min

Experts urge tighter HOA oversight in Florida after $11 million fraud

Kent Justice tackles a question a lot of HOA homeowners are asking after the “Hammocks” case in South Florida: could HOA fraud happen here — and would anyone catch it in time? Kent’s guest is Marc Rodriguez, EVP of Market Operations at RealManage, who breaks down how financial oversight can fail inside volunteer-run boards, what practical controls can stop fraud before it starts, and how technology can add real transparency for both board members and homeowners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

July 16, 202624 min

One Tower Court completion proves Shipyards redevelopment is real

Kent Justice talks with Adam Butcher, North Florida area manager for PCL Construction, about the visible—and less visible—economic impact of Jacksonville’s downtown/riverfront buildout. Butcher explains PCL’s growing local presence, why One Tower Court is a signal that Shipyards redevelopment is “real,” and how multiple anchor projects (including the Four Seasons) create an ecosystem that attracts more investment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

July 9, 202617 min

Jacksonville University Law dean calls Downtown campus ‘rocket fuel’

Jacksonville University College of Law Founding Dean Nick Allard joins Kent Justice to explain how JU built a brand-new downtown law school in just a few years—and why it matters for Jacksonville’s growth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

July 2, 202612 min

FPL details year-round storm prep for hurricane season

Hurricane season is here, and FPL spokesperson Kam Eppinger says preparation is a year-round effort focused on reliability: hardening poles and equipment, aggressive vegetation management, and a data-driven push to underground neighborhood lines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

June 25, 202611 min

Tim Cost Reflects on 14 Years Leading Jacksonville University

As Jacksonville University prepares for a leadership transition, outgoing President Tim Cost joins Kent Justice for a candid conversation about his legacy, the future of higher education, and the university's role as an economic engine for Northeast Florida. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

June 18, 202623 min

Jax Chamber outlines a playbook for business adoption

Kent Justice talks with Dr. Carlton Robinson, Chief Innovation Officer at the Jax Chamber, about how Jacksonville can stay competitive as AI shifts from buzzword to workplace reality. Robinson explains why the Chamber launched its new Center for Applied Infrastructure—framing “human-centered AI” as the next kind of public infrastructure—and why the goal is augmentation, not replacement: identifying what must remain human-led and using AI to remove friction in everyday work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

June 11, 202618 min

Haymaker’s founder on hard work, pivots, and rapid growth

Jacksonville entrepreneur Eun Cho shares how he went from Wall Street fund manager to co-founding Haymaker Coffee Company in 2021 - and why the brand is built around hard work, perseverance, and community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

June 4, 202620 min

Why Beef ‘O’ Brady’s says Jacksonville still has room for more sports pubs

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s COO Scott SirLouis says Jacksonville is one of the biggest remaining growth opportunities for the 40-year-old, Florida-grown “family sports pub” brand. He explains how Beef’s uses site analytics (cell phone and purchase-pattern modeling) to pinpoint strong neighborhoods, why grocery-anchored centers outperform mall-front real estate for them, and what makes the chain different in a crowded sports-bar category: kid-friendly booths and game rooms, community events like trivia and bingo, and a bar program that’s part of the mix—but not the identity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices