® Celebrating 18 Years
BY LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS, FOR LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS • 239-573-9732 Vol. 18, No. 2 / DECEMBER 2024 www.swfloridabusinesstoday.com
Distributed in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Estero, Bonita Springs and Naples
TAKE ONE
FOLLOW SOUTHWEST FLORIDA BUSINESS TODAY® ON:
INDUSTRY APPRECIATION AWARDS
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Looking Back, Looking Ahead
Entrepreneurs and business leaders reflect on 2024 and consider what 2025 has in store.
Immokalee Foundation
Learn about how the work of The Immokalee Foundation inspires and prepares the next generation of business leaders. INSIDE Special to SWFBT
CRE Construction & Development
The 2024 Industry Appreciation Awards honor Lee County businesses and individuals that drive the local economy, employ the workforce and shape their industries. Drake Ready Mix, above, won the Large Manufacturer of the Year Award and LSI Companies, below, won the Small Business of the Year Award.
SPECIAL THIS ISSUE A collection of information to help you navigate Southwest Florida’s CRE, Building and Development marketplace. INSIDE THIS
Sign with us,
(239) 368-1219 cepride.com billstaggs@offi
ACE • 239-573-97
B2B MARKETPL
FLORIDA ON: FOLLOW SOUTHWEST BUSINESS TODAY®
TAKE ONE
Coral, Fort Myers, Cape Distributed in Springs and Naples Estero, Bonita
LEE COUNTY HOSTED
ISSUE
US!
janitorial services work • Provides quality hard honesty, integrity, • Committed to month free get your 4th
11 Years
32
ST FLORIDA’S
/ OCTOBER 2019 m Vol. 12 No. 12 usinesstoday.co www.swfloridab
CLEANING TO
LEAVE THE
® Celebrating
SOUTHWE
IONAL TRADE SUMMIT
2019 INTERNAT
rs and Salute to Entrepreneu solo practitioners
Startups, of the economy visionaries fuel Southwest Florida.
Brady Photos by Christine trade to the Southof international offices. about the importance Buqueras talks Lee County Economic Development Director Carlos the first-ever stop at Port Manatee Executive during the Port’s west Florida market
Estate Commercial Real 8-page pullout
South American
A comprehensive a quarterly Southsection that is Real Eswest Florida Commercial tate market overview.
IN THE NEWS
Fort businesses visit
Myers
Special to SWFBT
Florida to communities in second one of four host as part of the Lee County was from seven countries welcome companiesTrade Summit. Manatee, annual International International Trade Hub at Port Fort Lauseries visited Organized by The Business opportunityta and Tampa for one day the 2019 Global Bradenton/Saraso derdale, Fort Myers,to 29. 26 Office, Southwest each from Aug. ReEconomic Development and the Southwest The Lee County Chamber of Commerce the event, which Florida Hispanic Association co-hosted gional Manufacturers Gulf Railway. Chile, Colombia, was sponsored Seminole from Argentina, Peru and other locales International companies Mexico, Spain, goods, apparel, artisanal El Salvador, Guatemala, systems food, coffee, fruits, cooking featured wine, snack and state-of-the-art to merchandise companies Lee County industryof founded as part summit showcases Port Manatee, during the summit. and An expo-style from seven nations Trade Hub at markets in Florida and business leaders visiting Summit. The International International Trade advice as a vital link between provides expert See page 6 the second annual in 2014, serves world. The hub TRADE throughout the
to
Dave Gammon elevated Charlotte EDO director
in the wake of Charlotte County, joinLucienne Pears former director Partners at Babcock ing Kitson and former Business Ranch, elevated and interim Recruitment Supervisor to executive director Dave Gammon Economic Developdirector of the ment Office. face in reGammon is a familiar he development as gional economic three years with his has proven in EDO. Charlotte County continue leading He is excited to like developments several existing page 19
ENEURS
SALUTE TO ENTREPR for growthand Intermediary ss Advisors poised Proa Certified Business Mergers & Acquisitions transaction experiEdison Busine the IBBA ap- Certified designations from ence totaling partner and
GAMMON See
Privacy & Cyber Security Forum announced
& Cyber SeA special Privacy held on Friwill be at curity Forum 9 a.m. to noon day, Nov. 8, fromNews Community the Naples Daily room. Companies will William C. Huff and insponsor the informational for the community. teractive forum forum is for atThe goal of the clearer undera tendees to gain keep their famito standing of how businesses private. lies, wealth and FORUM See page
18
in fi$170 fessional a Eric Gall, managing with a concentration proximately for Edison Avenue, won and an MBAthe University of Michigan. broker of record brokerage and lower million. Gall transactions and nance from leading business Gall in business the 2018, 2016 and acquisitions Niehaus, Bro- Assisting middle market mergers Pfeffer, Steven 2014 Business significant changes No. 1 are Michael and Phillip Reda. Adfirm, is announcing kers of Florida Edward Valaitis Business to operations. Top Dollar Producer to rebrand itself Pfeffer joins Edison of business The firm has decided over 20 years Award for Southwest Advisors” to better out visors with experience, including 12 as “Edison Business service offerings, Florida, beating busi- transactionbusiness brokerage franchise communicate addedbusiness appraisals, Gall a over 90 other He is years as Southwest Florida. Pfeffer is a including certified appraisals and certiness brokers. in Brokers owner Intermediary, Certified certified equipment International Business 6 and Board Certified fied exit strategies. mergers and acquisi- also an EDISON See page Chairman’s Circle Brokerage and led by Association Award winner. Eric holds continue to be tions efforts will 20 years of business Deal Maker Gall. He has over OPENING
Discount • Merchandise Gifts Ticket Packages Parties & Exclusive Full & Flexible Options • Private & Shows Discounted Parking Arena Concerts Presale on Hertz & get a Membership TOTE BAG Buy any 19/20 ‘BLADES purchase. GIFT CARD & $20 FORD’Sfull, voucher or select membership
19/20 SEASON
Valid on any
239.948.PUCK
NIGHT
NIGHT
10/26 7:00
10/19 7:00
VS VS
NEW
• FloridaEverblad
es.com
®
LEAVE THE CLEANING TO US! • Provides quality janitorial services • Committed to honesty, integrity, hard work
Celebrating 11 Years
Sign with us, get your 4th month free (239) 368-1219
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA’S B2B MARKETPLACE • 239-573-9732 Vol. 12 No. 11 / SEPTEMBER 2019 www.swfloridabusinesstoday.com
Distributed in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Estero, Bonita Springs and Naples
billstaggs@officepride.com
TAKE ONE
FOLLOW SOUTHWEST FLORIDA BUSINESS TODAY® ON:
Hoffmann Family buys Hertz Arena, Everblades
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
The Hoffmann Family of Companies has entered into an agreement to purchase the Florida Everblades and the Hertz Arena. Plans are underway for a complete renovation of the 8,284-seat, multipurpose arena. The improvements will include enhanced skyboxes, food services and installation of a state-ofthe-art scoreboard. Hertz Arena, which opened in 1998 as Everblades Arena, hosts a variety of events including concerts, Cirque du Soleil, Disney on Ice, boxing and trade shows. The venue offers
Focus on Manufacturing
Area companies are building a better future — one made right here in Southwest Florida.
25 suites, two additional ice rinks, a private club and a pub, Breakaway Sports Pub. The arena is also home to the Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles club hockey team of the American Collegiate Hockey Association. “We are optimistic that all of the 330 employees will remain with the Hoffmann Family of Companies,” said Craig Brush, Florida Everblades President and General Manager, who signed a five-year contract and has a commitment from all his senior staff to remain in place. “We are thrilled to be acquired by
A specially focused monthly section exploring the SWFL commercial real estate marketplace.
IN THE NEWS
Fort Myers sixth Business Summit slated for Sept. 20
Holly Bell addresses citrus growers about the 25,000-plus uses for industrial hemp, which can now be grown legally in Florida
Cannabis chief promises rich stash for hemp growers Special to SWFBT Submitted By: Jacob Ogles, Editor
SUMMIT See page 7
When other states started authorizing farmers to grow hemp, it didn’t take long to realize there was no place to sell it. Because no structures had been put in place for processing and manufacturing plants, state officials found themselves rushing a regulatory structure through so farmers could offload their first harvests. Holly Bell, Florida’s first Director of Cannabis, plans to learn from that mistake. She said the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will make sure all parts of the burgeoning hemp industry can move forward as soon as new rules unroll later this fall. “When our farmers are ready for a cash flow, we want to encourage them to get going,” she said.
Applications being accepted for the 25th Blue Chip Award The 25th Annual Southwest Florida Blue Chip Community Business Award application deadline is fast approaching. The Blue Chip Community Business Award recognizes successful, small businesses in Lee, Collier or Charlotte County that have overcome adversity to achieve success. Applications must be submitted by Wednesday, Sept. 4. The independent judges select the honoree after all the applications AWARD See page 19
Bell spoke in August at the Citrus Expo and Vegetable and Specialty Crop Expo, where growers from around the region gathered to hear her discuss this new and just recently legal product to diversify their inventory. Just a few years ago, there were no legal reasons to grow cannabis in Florida. Now, medical marijuana dispensaries pop up in more shopping centers each week. Soon, farmers will grow non-narcotic hemp crops. With the 2018 federal farm bill allowing hemp to grow, a budding industry will soon emerge in Florida. The Legislature this year authorized a pilot program for growing hemp in the Sunshine State, and state officials are nearly done weeding through a stack of public suggestions.
GrowFL announced this year’s 50 Florida Companies to Watch honorees, including three from Southwest Florida. Companies to Watch is a statewide competition that identifies companies expected to see significant growth over the next several years. The GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch awards program—now in its ninth year—honors 50 select second-stage companies from throughout Florida for developing valuable products and services, creating quality jobs, enriching communities, and broadening new industries throughout Florida. Chosen from 500 growing second-stage nominations from throughout, Florida, the 50 companies named as the 2019 Florida Companies to Watch honorees generated nearly $1 billion in revenue and added over 900 jobs between 2015 and 2018. Together, the honorees project a 35 percent increase in revenue and 37 percent increase in job growth in 2019 compared to 2018. “These stand-out companies are all led by entrepreneurs, and have demonstrated their capacity and intent to grow,” said Dr. Tom O’Neal, GrowFL executive director. “They also all have critical intellectual property or a niche position that gives them a competitive edge in their markets,” he said. Local honorees include: Cottrell Title & Escrow, Collier County; Mettauer Environmental, Lee County; and VeraData, Lee County . “This list recognizes second-stage Florida companies with passionate leaders who are making a difference in growing and diversifying our economy,” said Jennifer Barrows, GrowFL Chairman of the GrowFL Advisory Board and Business Development Executive with WithumSmith+Brown, PC. Second-stage companies are those
HEMP See page 5
Full & Flexible Ticket Packages • Payment Plans Available Discounted Parking Options • Private Parties & Exclusive Gifts Merchandise Discount • Presale on Hertz Arena Concerts & Shows
19/20 SEASON
EVERBLADES See page 6
GrowFL announces statewide honorees
HOT CROP Commercial Real Estate
The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce has announced an exciting line-up for its 2019 Business Summit, set for Sept. 20. The summit, now in its sixth year, will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa in Fort Myers. This year’s keynote address is “Communicate Your Way to Success,” by entrepreneur, business coach and international speaker Jason Evers. Evers has traveled to more than 20 countries on five continents
such a prestigious company. Our partnership with the Hertz Corporation and now this new ownership ensures that Hertz Arena will maintain our strong community presence and continue to be the number one choice for entertainment in Southwest Florida.” The team and the arena were previously owned by Peter Karmanos, founder of Compuware Corporation and prior majority owner of the Carolina Hurricanes in the National Hockey League. “Simply put, without the support of
Buy any 19/20 Membership & get a
GROWFL See page 10
SAT 7:00
10/19
$20 FORD’S GIFT CARD & ‘BLADES TOTE BAG
OPENING NIGHT VS
NIGHT
Valid on any NEW full, voucher or select membership purchase.
239.948.PUCK • FloridaEverblades.com
Celebrating
SOUTHWE
ST FLORIDA’S
Vol. 12 No. 10 / AUGUST 2019 www.swfloridab usinesstoday.co
m
INSIDE THIS
Focus on Business
ISSUE
®
11 Years
LEAVE THE
ACE • 239-573-97
32
TAKE ONE
IMMOKALEE FOUNDAT
CLEANING TO
US! • Provides quality janitorial services • Committed to honesty, integrity, hard work Sign with us, get your 4th month free
B2B MARKETPL
Distributed in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Estero, Bonita Springs and Naples
(239) 368-1219 billstaggs@offi cepride.com
ION HOSTS SHARK
FOLLOW SOUTHWEST BUSINESS
FLORIDA TODAY® ON:
TANK COMPETI
TION
Services
Our Trade Show vides information in Print proto make your business more successful.
Commercial Real
Estate A specially section exploringfocused monthly mercial real estate the SWFL commarketplace. IN THE NEWS Collier names Pelican as ‘Business of the Wire Month’
During the July ty Commission 9 Collier CounWire was named meeting, Pelican ty ‘Business of the Collier Counthe Month’ and recognized by was the a manufacturing Board for being County for over leader in Collier 40 years. Pelican Wire President Ted Bill, who received the are truly honored award, said “We Collier County to be named the Month’ for July.‘Business of the Since moving AWARD See page
Gov. DeSantis announces job growth grants
4
Gov. Ron DeSantis the Florida Departmentannounced of Economic Opportunity Florida are acceptingand Enterprise economic development project proposals for the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund. $40 million is available to fund training and public job projects that support infrastructure growth and employment in Florida. “We know the frastructure projects importance inand workforce training has on economic development,” said DeSantis. “The Florida Job Growth Grant Fund will help Florida communities ensure they GRANTS See page
12
SEASON, SELECT
& VOUCHER
MEMBER
SHIPS
Dr. Sandra Kauanui (left) and Noemi Ailynee Ramirez, Y. Perez (right) Jessica Sales, with - TIF Shark Daisy Montanez, Tank winners
Alondra Estrada Swap & Shop teamNeika Exulus, Young entrep reneurs share ideas, earn award s
Special to SWFBT Submitted By: Noemi Y. Perez Southwest Florida tion’s business-themedstudents in The Immokalee Foundasummer camp entrepreneurial recently shared ideas their Tank event modeled and garnered awards during a Shark The four-week after the popular TV show. was a partnership Business Management Pathway Coast University’sbetween the foundation and Floridacamp Gulf developed businessInstitute for Entrepreneurshi p. among them: finding plans that solved problems Students common clothes on a budget; centric finances; handling ñera; and findinggetting better sleep; planning studenta quincearestaurants suitable stricted diets. for people with reStudent teams gave ences, startup costs, presentations about their target audiprojected profits, other aspects of marketing plans entrepreneurial and Dr. Sandra Kauanui, FGCU enterprises at iTECH mokalee. Judges Director of Entrepreneursh for in Im- spoke during the event. Smart Companies the presentations were: Brian ip, Rist, The Smart Companies executive chairman; Sofia Blanno, gram allows shoppers to arrange tor of corporate intern; and Matthew Turner, Hertz The through social an app, then physically to buy, sell or swap items direcFirst place awards responsibility. central location exchange those in Immokalee. items at a Shop team of Neika of $500 each went to the MentorUs, an Swap & Exulus, Jessica app that Daisy Montanez Sales, Alondra and Ailynee Ramirez. Estrada, smart financial decisions, encourages students to make interested in dressing earned second place Aimed at students for team members of $250 each fashionably on Alex Soriano, a budget, the pro- ie Etienne, Azael Simon-Quirino Je’an Espinoza, Myrlandand Simson Devesaint.
Fort Myers Mayor
Special to SWFBT Submitted By: Karen P. Moore,
launches Divers ity Committee
SHARK See page
more inclusive city. Publisher Student Hailey Countryman asked her employer, Sanibel Captiva “It is never too the Mayor if he munity Bank, Comlate to give up had to FGCU’s College on diversity whom a team of advisors Education. your prejudices.” of Henry David Thoreau for guidance. Since he could rely on said, “We In a recent interview she can’t really say question was no, the answer to that ing to be representative we are tryat that moment Fort Myers Mayor derson felt Henof our city’s derson has known Randy Hen- a team. inspired to create just such residents and community if we have diversity Ndiang’ui wanted Florida Gulf Coast University on the council don’t to make She sure the Mayor itself.” explained was prepared for ter Ndiang’ui for professor Dr. Pe- road ahead the its 18 membersthe committee drew about 10 years and asked him, was a guest speaker and from the commu“Are in his class, “In- really able to handle the truth?” you nity, representing troduction to Diversity,” diversity project moved The ethnicity, forward. in Novemgender and sexualin race, ber. Henderson Beth Countryman, asked students Hailey’s moth- tity. “We can’t be a committee idenhe could do to what er, became make Fort Myers up of old white made involved with men and think the project, going a which led to we are a $25,000 donation to be in charge of diversity.” from DIVERSITY See page 11 Payment Plans Available • Discounted Merchandise Parking Options Discount • Presale • Private Parties & Exclusive Gifts on Hertz Arena Concerts & Family Shows Buy Any 19/20 & Get A $20 Membership Pack FORD’S GIFT & ‘BLADES TOTE CARD BAG Valid on any NEW full, voucher
or select membership
purchase.
5
Program recognizes top businesses in Lee County
Get Southwest Florida’s business news and information mailed straight to your mailbox each month.
The Horizon Foundation, Horizon Council and Lee County Economic Development Office have announced winners of the 2024 Industry Appreciation Awards. The 32nd annual awards program was held Oct. 25 at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center in Fort Myers, where local dignitaries joined business and community leaders in honoring Lee County businesses and individuals that drive the local economy, employ the workforce and shape their industries. The program recognized 27 finalists across nine categories before honoring the following winners: AWARDS See page 18
Construction, hospitality jobs increase in SWFL
Start your subscription to Southwest Florida Business Today.®
FloridaCommerce announced the Naples metro area private sector employment increased by 1,900 jobs (+1.2%) over the year in October. The industry sector gaining the most jobs over the year was leisure and hospitality, increasing by 700 jobs. The Fort Myers metro area private sector employment increased by 900 jobs (+0.3%) over the year. The industry sectors gaining the most jobs over the year were government, increasing by
Call (239) 573-9732.
Updated overtime rules
1,700 jobs; and construction, increasing by 1,200 jobs. The Naples area’s unemployment rate was 3.5% in October, a 0.3 percentage point increase from the October 2023 rate of 3.2%. The Naples area labor force was up 0.2% (+477) over the year. The Fort Myers area’s unemployment rate was 3.6% in October 2024, a 0.2 percentage point increase from the October 2023 rate of 3.4%. The Fort Myers area labor
BUSINESS UPDATES
The Department of Labor issued its final rule on exempt workers. The rule increases salary thresholds for employees who can be considered exempt from overtime. Learn what the amounts are and other information from the rule. If employees work more than 40 hours in a workweek (over 8 hours in a day in some states), they earned overtime of at least 1.5 times their hourly rate of pay (HRP). Do you know all types of payments that carry an overtime premium? Check with your accountant.
BOI filing deadline extended
On Oct. 29, the Financial Crimes and Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued five notices extending the filing deadlines to submit Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reports (including updates or corrections to prior reports) for certain reporting companies in response to Hurricanes Milton, Helene, Debby, Beryl and Francine. Please review carefully to determine whether the six months’ extension applies. For reporting companies whose principal place of business is located in a di-
saster area, deadlines extend as follows: • Reporting companies formed before 2024 with original deadline to submit initial BOI report by Jan. 1, 2025 are now due July 1, 2025 (FIN-2024-NTC11 – Hurricane Milton). • Reporting companies created or registered during 2024 that had an original deadline for initial BOI submission within 90 days of formation, that falls within the dates specified in the various notices, would also have a six months’ extension. This will not apply to all companies formed in 2024, just ones whose
“It’s well worth the drive!” — John G., SWFL business owner and Alva resident
PRIME239.COM
239.673.8816
force was down 0.9% (-3,384) over the year. FloridaCommerce announced that Florida’s statewide unemployment rate has remained lower than the national unemployment rate for four years, marking a milestone of 48 consecutive months. Florida’s statewide unemployment rate remains steady at 3.3%, and in October 2024 alone, the state added 107,600 private sector jobs over-the-year.
original deadline fell during the specified dates. Refer to these notices for specific information and determination of eligibility and the FinCEN website www. fincen.gov/boi on BOI reporting. — Markham Norton Mosteller Wright
Hurricane assistance updates
For the most current hurricane recovery news and information, updated throughout the business day, go to SWFBT’s Storm Impact Business Bulletin at swfloridabusinesstoday.com/ storm-impact-business-bulletin.