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Local entrepreneurs tell their stories in our annual celebration of commerce in Southwest Florida.
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Lee County seeks to preserve FEMA rating
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Flood insurance throughout Lee County still could spike up following a decision by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA officials on April 9 gave Lee County and the cities of Fort Myers Beach, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs and Estero another 30 days to prove it has enforced flood standards on construction above the federal minimum requirements. That came after a meeting between Lee County Administrator Dave Harner and other city managers with representatives from FEMA.
If the local governments cannot comply at that point, FEMA expects to retrograde the county’s National Flood Insurance Program community premium discount. That for years has provided a 20% to 25% discount on flood insurance for residents, saving millions collectively in the region. Federal officials representing the region have also tried to intervene. FEMA said it would likely reduce the county’s Community Rating System because of a “large amount of unpermitted work, lack of documentation, and failure to properly monitor activity in special flood hazard areas, including substantial
damage compliance” in the wake of Hurricane Ian in September 2022. Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott and Reps. Byron Donalds and Greg Steube sent a letter to FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell that said the major hike in rates would hurt an ongoing effort to rebuild after Hurricane Ian. “Since Hurricane Ian made landfall in Lee County and caused widespread devastation in Southwest Florida, we have fought to deliver relief to Florida families and businesses and ensure a rapid recovery from this deadly storm. While we appreciated FEMA’s quick FLOOD See page 6
Fort Myers CRA seek visionaries for Innovation Walk
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Brady Photos by Christine trade to the Southof international about the importance Development offices. Buqueras talks Economic Director Carlos the Lee County first-ever stop at Port Manatee Executive during the Port’s west Florida market
visit Fort an businesses South Americ
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IN THE NEWS
to
Dave Gammon elevated Charlotte EDO director
Myers
Special to SWFBT
tate market overview.
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 to excited is He like developments several existing page 19
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 opportunity a and Tampa for one day the 2019 Global Bradenton/Sarasot 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, artisanal Guatemala, apparel, El Salvador, food, coffee, fruits, cooking systems featured wine, snack and state-of-the-art to County industry merchandise companies showcases Lee founded as part of Port Manatee, during the summit. An expo-style summit from seven nations Trade Hub at in Florida and leaders visiting markets Summit. The International International Trade advice and business as a vital link between provides expert See page 6 the second annual in 2014, serves world. The hub TRADE throughout the
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& 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 Certified Intermediary, Certified certified equipment International Business 6 and Board 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
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Hoffmann Family buys Hertz Arena, Everblades
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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 9 Collier County Commission Wire 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
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Fort Myers Mayor
Special to SWFBT Submitted By: Karen P. Moore,
launches Diversi ty 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 the answer to that question was no, we are trying to be at that moment Fort Myers Mayor derson felt inspired Hen- residents representative of our city’s Randy Henand community derson has known a team. Ndiang’ui to create just such have diversity if we Florida Gulf wanted to make Coast University on the council don’t sure the Mayor itself.” She 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
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The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency invites creative minds from across the globe – visionaries, innovators, creators and futurists – to propose design concepts for engaging, transformational art installations to be built along the banks of the Caloosahatchee River in downtown Fort Myers. The goal of Innovation Walk is to marry innovation with art, transforming and populating a meandering, mile-long waterfront park pathway with enduring installations and experiences that intrigue curiosity and celebrate human innovation. In its call for creators, the CRA seeks talented innovators, designers and creators to develop meaningful, durable and engaging installations that provide the pedestrian viewers with experiences stimulating critical contemplation, curiosity and hope. “Innovation Walk, powered by the Edison Awards, builds upon the legacy of innovation in Lee County by building an enduring hardscape that will consist of three to five installations honoring multigenerational innovation icons,” said Michele Hylton-Terry, executive director for the Fort Myers CRA. “With that goal, we seek proposals that embody the spirit of innovation, resonate with the history and culture of Fort Myers, and lay down a path of insight, inspiration, discovery and possibility for generations to come.”
Rendering of futuristic portal concept for the Innovation Walk along the banks of the Caloosahatchee River in downtown Fort Myers. The project requirements focus on the previous work of the artists, their concepts, visual representations, construction plans, budget and timeline considerations. Given Southwest Florida’s extreme weather considerations, designs must be robust and capable of withstanding harsh conditions. Proposals must be submitted electronically to innovationwalk@ cityftmyers.com by May 2. Commissions will be awarded in May 2024 and the project must be designed, produced and installed within eight months of the award. The goal for full completion of the project is January 2025.
“Innovation Walk, powered by the Edison Awards, builds upon the legacy of innovation in Lee County by building an enduring hardscape that will consist of three to five installations honoring multi-generational innovation icons.”
— Michele Hylton-Terry, Executive director for the Fort Myers CRA
IN THE NEWS Lee Commissioners launch affordable housing programs
The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted to launch Affordable Housing Development New Construction Programs with the publication of the Notice of Funding Availability for up to $200 million from Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery funds. Lee County’s CDBG-DR Action
Plan includes Affordable Housing and Development Programs that provide grant funding for the development and preservation of affordable housing units. The competitive Notice of Funding Availability process will make up to $150 million available for new construction or acquisition and rehabilitation of new multi-family units, and up to $50 million available for new construction of single-family HOUSING See page 12
FloridaCommerce announces $910 million for Rebuild Florida program
FloridaCommerce announced more than $910 million in funding is available through four Rebuild Florida programs. Rebuild Florida programs connect eligible Floridians with disaster recovery funding and prioritize the most-impacted communities and the most vulnerable low-income individuals, including the elderly, those
with disabilities and families with young children. These programs will help return Hurricane-Ian impacted Floridians to decent, safe and sanitary homes, create new affordable workforce housing and fund vital infrastructure projects. “Thanks to the detailed feedback we received from over 40 meetings in all 24 impacted counties, four of which received their own direct REBUILD See page 14
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