Key takeaway: Hunters Point in Manatee County, from Pearl Homes, is a new LEED Zero community, meaning the homes generate more power than is consumed. Core challenge: Pearl Homes' Marshall Gobuty wasn't expecting residents to want to learn everything about how the homes work, so he had to find a biologist who could explain the science behind the concept. What's next: Affordable housing and sustainability should have no connection, Gobuty believes, which is why he's planning to build 720 single f

Key takeaway: The city of North Port is putting nearly $500,000 toward protecting the environment with the development of a new division. Core challenge: Finding a balance between development and environment preservation — something many other rapid growth cities and towns across Florida face. What's next: The planning department is developing new code requirements it hopes to have in effect by January 2024. The city of North Port is taking a serious look at protecting its natural resources. A