Jun
17
Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
Jun
17
Hodges University recently announced that Bob Simpson, president and CEO of LeeSar, a healthcare supply chain management firm located in Fort Myers, has joined its board of trustees.
“We are honored that Bob has agreed to join our Board of Trustees,” said Hodges President Terry McMahan. “We have seen tremendous growth across all of our programs, but healthcare is one area that has really taken off. Being able to utilize Bob’s diversified background in healthcare will be a huge benefit as we expand programs in that discipline.”
“Bob Simpson’s leadership and passion for the medical industry, not-for-profits and our community in general is second to none,” said Todd Gates, chairman of Gates Construction Management and fellow Hodges trustee. “He sets a very high standard when it comes to defining the word ‘care.’ As a longtime supporter and trustee of Hodges, I am proud to serve with him and most importantly call him my friend.”
In 2002, Simpson became president and CEO of LeeSar in the supply chain management division, and Cooperative Services of Florida, the Group Purchasing Organization for Lee Memorial Health System and Sarasota Memorial Healthcare System.
“I am very excited to be part of the Board of Trustees for Hodges University,” said Simpson. “I have been impressed with the steps that the school has taken along the way to build what has become a premier institution for higher education in our region of Florida. I am excited to join my fellow trustees in guiding the university as it continues to grow.”
Simpson has worked in the healthcare industry since 1976. He has held various positions with TFX Surgical Group, Healthcare Services of New England, Neponset Valley Health System and as the director of operations for Northeast Red Cross Blood Service.
The Hodges Board also includes John Agnelli (chairman), Keith Arnold (vice chair), Michael J. Prioletti (secretary), D. Joseph Donahue, Todd Gates, Jim Humphrey, Terence Igo, Leslie H. King III, Gerard A. McHale, Jr., Rep. Kathleen C. Passidomo, (R-FL, District 76), James Stamper and Sandra Stilwell.
Jun
17
19th Annual Southwest Florida Blue Chip Community Business Award
Filed Under Awards & Recognitions | Leave a Comment
The 19th Annual Southwest Florida Blue Chip Community Business Award, coordinated and sponsored by BB&T-Oswald Trippe and Company and BB&T Bank, recognizes small businesses that have overcome adversity to achieve success. The luncheon ceremony takes place Thursday, Nov. 7 at Harborside Event Center, 1375 Monroe Street in Fort Myers.
“We sponsor the Blue Chip Award program to share the success of small businesses that have endured as models for other entrepreneurs,” said Scott Gregory, BB&T-Oswald Trippe and Company vice president. “Recognizing triumphs over adversity is fundamental to the future of our Southwest Florida community.”
Charlotte, Collier and Lee county for-profit businesses that have been in operation for at least three years and employ five to 400 people are eligible for the award. Applications, which must be submitted no later than Sept. 9, can be requested by contacting Stacey Mercado at (239) 433-7189 or SMercado@BBandT.com. Independent judges select the winning entry.
Jun
17
Treasury announces $100 million in New Markets Tax Credit investment authority for Florida community development organizations
Filed Under Economic Development | Leave a Comment
Funds to revitalize low-income, distressed communities
Building on the Obama Administration’s commitment to increase economic opportunity in distressed areas of the United States, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) recently announced New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) authority for investments totaling $100 million to two Florida-based community development entities (CDEs). Treasury will provide this tax credit allocation authority under the tenth award round of the NMTC Program.
“The New Markets Tax Credit addresses one of the most significant obstacles to economic development that low-income communities face: a lack of access to patient, private investment capital,” said Treasury Assistant Secretary for Financial Institutions Cyrus Amir-Mokri. “The $31 billion worth of tax credit investments nationwide in past years have gone toward preserving jobs and bringing community facilities and new businesses into neighborhoods that desperately needed them. I expect (the recently named) awardees will continue that trend.”
“In fact, over 70 percent of New Markets Tax Credit investments have been made in communities that meet the highest distress criteria, above even the program’s requirements, CDFI Fund Director Donna J. Gambrell. “That result effectively demonstrates how essential the New Markets Tax Credit Program is to spurring economic development in underserved areas.”
The NMTC, established by Congress in December 2000, permits individual and corporate taxpayers to receive a credit against federal income taxes for making equity investments in vehicles known as Community Development Entities. The credit provided to the investor totals 39 percent of the cost of the investment and is claimed over a seven-year period. For every dollar invested by the Federal government, the NMTC Program generates over eight dollars in private investment. This strong record of spurring economic growth is one of the reasons why President Obama’s FY14 budget included an expansion and permanent extension of the New Markets Tax Credit.
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May
23
All garbage, recycling, and yard waste collections in unincorporated Lee County, the City of Bonita Springs and town of Fort Myers Beach are performed one day after the regularly scheduled collection day for the entire week beginning May 27. This means that if your regular collection day is a Monday, the collection truck will come to pick up the waste on Tuesday. Likewise if your regular collection is on Tuesday, then it will be collected Wednesday and so forth until Friday’s collection, which will then be picked up on Saturday. This schedule change is in effect until June 1. Regular collection schedules resume on Monday, June 3.
Lee County Solid Waste Division facilities and offices are closed on Monday, May 27 in observance of the holiday. This includes the operation at the Household Chemical Waste Collection Facility on Topaz Court and the Resource Recovery Facility on Buckingham Road.
The Solid Waste Division strongly urges you to recycle all plastic, paper, metal and glass and ask you not to litter our highways, beaches, and waterways. It also thanks the residents for participating in the Lee County Recycling Program and for ultimately preserving precious natural resources.
May
23
Both Collier and Lee County were recently recognized by Governor Rick Scott for outstanding job growth in 2012. Lee County Commission Chair Cecil Pendergrass was presented with the Governor’s Business Ambassador Award for helping lead the way to Florida’s economic recovery. Collier County lead the way with 3.4 percent job growth in 2012: Lee County followed with 2.5 percent job growth, tied with Palm Beach County.
“We will continue our efforts towards job creation in Lee County,” said Pendergrass, “Adjusting impact fees and streamlining the permitting process are two positive steps.” Both Lee and Collier Counties saw growth in the tourism, construction, information and utilities industries. The awards presentation was part of the Florida Association of Counties Legislative Day activities.
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