Awards celebrate business excellence in Lee County

08/23/2021

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Tickets for the 2021 Industry Appreciation Awards are on sale to the public starting Sept. 1, 2021. Each $50 ticket includes VIP networking, a plated lunch and attendance to the awards program. Tickets can be purchased until Friday, October 8 at www.industryappreciationawards.com.

Finalists for the 29th annual awards will be celebrated, and winners crowned at Caloosa Sound Convention Center in downtown Fort Myers. Award categories and finalists include:

Business Resiliency and Innovation

  • Fort Myers Brewing Company
  • Sanibel Captiva Community Bank
  • Sewing Boutique

Community Steward of the Year

  • Cushman & Wakefield Commercial Property Southwest Florida
  • Florida Repertory Theatre
  • The North Law Firm

Startup of the Year

  • 239Work
  • Gather
  • Seed & Bean Market

Innovator of the Year

  • Cigent Technology, Inc.
  • Energy Harness Corporation
  • Metro Forecasting Models

Manufacturer of the Year

  • Black Onyx World, LLC/Alikay Naturals
  • Nor-Tech Hi-Performance Boats
  • Storm Smart

Small Business of the Year

  • Architectural Metal Flashings
  • Iron Ridge Insurance Services
  • Stickboy Creative

Large Business of the Year

  • NeoGenomics Laboratories, Inc.
  • Owen-Ames-Kimball Company
  • Stevens Construction, Inc.

For more information about or to get involved with the 2021 Industry Appreciation Awards, contact Horizon Foundation Chief Fundraising Consultant Dilman Thomas at 239-810-1948 or dthomas@horizon-foundation.com.

The Lee County Economic Development Office provides business assistance to retain existing businesses, attract new businesses and encourage entrepreneurship to ensure Lee County has a strong economy, thriving communities and broadly shared prosperity.

The Horizon Council is a public-private advisory board established in 1991 to advise the Lee Board of County Commissioners on economic development issues. The Council’s mission is to improve Lee County’s business environment, retain and encourage expansion of existing businesses, and attract new and diversified employers. It is the only public-private partnership of Lee County Government and business leaders.

The Horizon Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization with the mission and purpose to support, foster, and encourage the economic development and diversity of business interests in Lee County, Florida. The Foundation provides financial, advisory, and other support for the Lee County Economic Development Office and the Horizon Council as well as financial and other support to such other organizations and entities that the Foundation determines will promote and complement the interests and mission of the Foundation, the EDO, and/or the Horizon Council.