What's changing for South Florida business owners: new laws, public programs, and the companies to know. We explain what each decision means for your storefront, payroll, or deal.
FIU Business’s AI 305 Conference was set for Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, at the Graham Center. Owner-prep notes from that week: the ticket range as published Sept. 14, the schedule, and the rooms for South Florida operators.
Business & Policy
Wed Sep 23 6:30pm OP finals—millage 5.6799 track, CRA $969,929, CIP $28.8M; verify Sep 14 assessments.
Film & Media
The Boca Raton Public Library Film Festival, formerly Dewey, takes Florida shorts on FilmFreeway through Dec. 1, 2026. The city page lists ages 17+ (18+ for students); the FilmFreeway listing opens student entries at 17+ and regular entries at 18+. Confirm your category. Festival day: Feb. 6, 2027.
Business & Policy
Palm Beach County and Broward VAB petition deadlines passed in September 2026. What owners who filed, and owners who missed the window, can do next.
Events & Deadlines
Chasing AI Session 1 ran Fri., Oct. 16 at the Greater Delray Beach Chamber, listed as free for all. Venue, speakers, sponsor and how to follow the series.
Business & Policy
Fort Lauderdale’s City Commission held its final FY2027 budget hearing on Sept. 14, 2026 and adopted the 4.1193 city millage, the 0.2216 debt millage and the stormwater and fire assessment resolutions. What a flat rate beside higher assessments means for owners.
Grants & Money
As of Oct. 4, FAU’s page lists applications to The Runway Venture Program as open, with no published deadline. What you get ($100k+ in resources and services), the three tracks, how to apply, and who is cut out.
AI & Tech
Ideate (~4 wk), Incubate (~6 wk), Accelerate (~12 wk) plus $200 Tech Tuesdays: stage map, apply links, soft-flagged fees/deadlines for Broward founders.
Events & Deadlines
The 20th Annual Palm Beach Partners Business Matchmaker Conference & Expo took place Friday, Oct. 2, 2026 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. A record of the procurement day: workshops, Power Talks, Bankers Row and the owner packet buyers ask for.
Grants & Money
Delray CRA owner ladder: Paint-Up open districtwide; Site Development/Consultancy CRA-owned tenants only; three developer programs closed.
Grants & Money
Broward twin to the live WPB CRA map: LIVE NPF façade, PBIP, streetscape, $5M+ DIP, and PSEP safety grants; CLOSED tracks named honestly.
Business & Policy
Tonight 6:30 p.m. SKY—tentative millage 5.6799, CRA recess, assessments Sept. 14, finals Sept. 23; owner checklist.
