2025 A Year of Growth, Change and Vitality

It’s that time of year again, full of holiday parties, wrapping paper and, inevitably, Top 10 lists. Counting down the days with a look back at the year about to end is as much a holiday season tradition as lighting candles and singing carols, but that isn’t limited to the blockbuster deals and things completed. Projects and efforts just starting out, along with big plans for the future were also important stories in 2025.

In that spirit, EVOLVE News presents its Year in Review issue featuring the top stories from 2025 in the Space Coast and First Coast regions. Some were stories of transition, such as the announcement of plans to close the Boston Whaler facility in Flagler County, while others were tales of triumph, including news that the St. Augustine Amphitheatre was named one of the top venues for ticket sales.

Other news focused on the achievement of milestones, including the city of Deltona passing the 100,000 mark in population and the naming of a new president and CEOof the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce. Also on this year’s list is an idea for a blue ribbon committee to study closer cooperation on economic development in Flagler County and the launch of a new business-to-business website in DeLand.

Grand openings also made the list, with Volusia County Economic Development cutting the ribbon for the Volusia Innovation Hub and Compass Hotel by Margaritaville opening in Flagler Beach.

Efforts by local governments to enhance economic vitality in their communities also made news in 2025, including New Smyrna Beach’s sunsetting of its Economic Task Force and a land use agreement reached in St. Johns County for construction of the Florida Museum of Black History.

The stories below represent only the tip of the economic iceberg for what has been a busy year throughout the regions. As the new year approaches, 2025 will be a tough act to follow.

To see the full list, go to evolve2succeed.com/year-in-review-2025