Le Soleil de la Floride was invited to participate on June 12 in the Broward & Beyond Business Conference at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, an event that brings together entrepreneurs, business leaders, and professionals to explore opportunities in South Florida and beyond.
Speakers from various sectors led the day’s sessions, and our attention turned to certain developments in the county, including the airport, the port, public transportation, and the arts.
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
Broward County authorities, which manage the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) system, are carrying out an extensive modernization and expansion program to meet growing passenger demand and boost the regional economy.
Among the development projects is Terminal 5 (T5), at a cost of $404 million. This new 230,000-square-foot complex is expected to open shortly, in mid-2026. It will include five boarding gates for domestic flights, security checkpoints, and baggage handling facilities.
There are also the terminal connections, a project estimated at $260 million that aims to link Terminals 1, 2, and 3, allowing passengers to walk from one concourse to another after passing through security. Work to connect the terminals at FLL is expected to be completed by late 2027.
The Intermodal Center (IMC) is a massive 4.6 million-square-foot transportation and parking hub designed to connect the airport to South Florida’s broader transportation networks; it is scheduled for completion in 2029.
The airport’s master plan also calls for ongoing renovations to airside, landside, and roadside areas to accommodate the expected influx of travelers and create local jobs.
Finally, Broward County is actively taking several measures in response to Spirit Airlines’ cessation of operations, including attempting to recover unpaid fees, assisting laid-off employees, and suspending its previous plans to purchase the bankrupt airline’s headquarters in Dania Beach.
Interesting facts: Toronto and Montreal rank 1st and 3rd, respectively, among FLL’s top international destinations, with Nassau in 2nd place, followed by Kingston and Montego Bay, Jamaica, in 4th and 5th places. The airport’s passenger traffic is projected to reach 32.2 million in 2025, and in U.S. rankings, FLL ranks 20th in total passenger volume, 21st in domestic passenger volume, and 14th in international passenger volume, with an average of 309 daily departures to 103 U.S. cities and 62 daily flights to 55 international destinations in 24 countries.
As of September 30, 2025, FLL had generated $385.6 million in total operating revenue for the year.
Port Everglades
Broward County is actively working to expand its port by guiding major development projects through a 20-year master plan and vision, which calls for multi-billion-dollar investments in infrastructure to increase cargo capacity, improve cruise terminals, and develop the surrounding land. The overall project aims to maintain Port Everglades’ status as a world-class gateway.
Among these developments, the county has funded the expansion of the convention center as well as the recently opened Omni Hotel to boost tourism—both are now open! Other initiatives include the intermodal container transshipment facility, designed to load containers directly onto trains within the port itself to reduce local truck traffic, and the acquisition of adjacent properties to support ongoing port operations and logistics.
Note to cruise passengers: Broward County is modernizing its cruise terminals to handle larger passenger volumes and accommodate new, giant ships powered by alternative fuels. Cruise terminals 26 and 29 are also set to undergo redevelopment to create a shared area dedicated to ground transportation and to improve baggage handling systems. In addition, a rail link project is underway to directly connect the port’s cruise terminals and the convention center to FLL, while also aiming to reduce traffic congestion in North Midport through elevated tracks and parking facilities for Terminals 2 and 4.
All of this is in addition to the increase in cargo capacity, achieved by maximizing container throughput and the efficiency of cargo flows, which will certainly contribute to the region’s economy. It is worth noting that at Port Everglades, the total annual trade volume is estimated at $27.28 billion, and the number of cruise passengers reached a record 4,773,873 in 2025.
Broward County Transit (BCT)
The county is implementing several comprehensive programs aimed at reorganizing public transit, connecting communities, and supporting economic growth.
The main development initiatives include, first and foremost, TransitFORWARD 2040, a long-term plan (covering the next 15 years) that will introduce new microtransit services, extend operating hours, and create high-frequency routes.
The PREMO Program, meanwhile, involves establishing 76 miles of rapid, high-capacity Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routes to connect communities throughout the county. There will also be extensions north and south along the Florida East Coast (FEC) railroad line via the Broward Commuter Rail (BCR), which is expected to include stations in downtown Fort Lauderdale, Oakland Park, Pompano Beach, and Deerfield Beach. Finally, the county plans more than 200 miles of high-end public transit corridors, which will include commuter rail, light rail, and additional BRT lines.
Not to mention the arts!
The Broward County Cultural Division is not to be outdone. IGNITE Broward is a prime example. For its fifth edition in 2026, the event—which features large-scale immersive art installations blending light and technology—welcomed approximately 90,000 attendees throughout its ten-night free festival. IGNITE Broward makes a significant contribution to the local economy by boosting event-related tourism, supporting creative jobs, and generating essential revenue for local businesses.
Mark your calendars now for 2027, February 13–22!
