Hurricane Ian News
Lee Commissioners approve a contract to restore and enhance Fort Myers Beach Water Reclamation Facility
Fort Myers, FL, – The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to approve a contract for the design, permitting and construction engineering to restore the Fort Myers Beach Water Reclamation Facility and enhance its capacity. The competitively bid, $14.5 million contract was awarded to CDM Smith. The project will include rehabilitating the Water Reclamation…
Read MoreFEMA Extends Direct Housing Program for Hurricane Ian
LAKE MARY, Fla. – FEMA has announced a six-month extension of the Direct Temporary Housing program through Sept. 29, 2024, for eligible households in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Lee, Manatee, Sarasota and Volusia counties. Since Hurricane Ian, FEMA has provided temporary housing units for over 1,300 displaced families in the state. Working with the Florida Division…
Read MoreImmokalee Fair Housing Alliance to open applications Feb. 22 for new community
 First residents to move into new apartments in summer 2024 IMMOKALEE, Fla. – Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance will begin accepting applications on Feb. 22 for a new affordable apartment community being constructed in Immokalee. During a symbolic signed wallboard installation on Feb. 16, Arol Buntzman, co-founder and chair of the nonprofit, announced that families soon…
Read MoreAfter Ian: Fort Myers free legal clinic to focus on post-disaster insurance claims, contractor fraud
FORT MYERS, Fla. – A Fort Myers-based legal nonprofit is again hosting a free clinic for area seniors in need of no-cost, limited legal advice. Law at the Library is a quarterly conversation sponsored by Lee County Legal Aid Society with support from AARP Foundation. The next session is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 7, from…
Read MoreNorth Fort Myers Habitat ReStore announces grand reopening on Feb. 2
NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. – Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties has nearly completed an extensive renovation of its North Fort Myers ReStore, which was damaged during Hurricane Ian in September 2022. Prior to its grand reopening set for Feb. 2, the Habitat ReStore is seeking the community’s support to help replenish its…
Read MoreThree Sanibel representatives appear before state hurricane resiliency committee
On Dec. 11, three members of the Sanibel Island community appeared before the Florida House of Representatives Select Committee on Hurricane Resiliency and Recovery in Tallahassee to present updates and need assessments to the 15-person committee. Representing Sanibel Island were councilman and former mayor Holly Smith, SanCap Chamber president and CEO John Lai, and restaurateur…
Read MoreConcert honors hurricane heroes, local children’s charities
FORT MYERS, Fla. – It was an evening filled with great music, emotions and recognition for those that helped support Southwest Florida in its time of need following the devastation from Hurricane Ian. The Hurricane Heroes All-Star Concert, hosted by The Charity Pros on Saturday, Oct. 7, showcased the power of music and honored first…
Read MoreSouth Seas unveils redevelopment plans for island resort
South Seas has unveiled a redevelopment plan that maintains the historic character and coastal charm that defines Captiva Island while modernizing the property to enhance the guest experience. Most notably, South Seas’ zoning application – a requirement as the resort rebuilds following destruction caused by Hurricane Ian – notes structures would be rebuilt up to…
Read MoreSanCap Chamber ribbon-cutting marks iconic Sanibel shop reopening
She Sells Sea Shells turned a tongue-twister and Sanibel’s shelling reputation into a family-owned and -operated business in 1976. After opening more stores on the islands – up to five at one point – the iconic shell shop brand suffered from Hurricane Ian, but has reopened its flagship shop at 1157 Periwinkle Way. A Dec. 7 SanCap…
Read MoreResilient SWFL economy making post – Ian progress
The weather this spring and summer was unseasonably hot, and while that same description wouldn’t necessarily apply to the local economy, Southwest Florida continues to offer a warm and welcoming business climate. There are still plenty of positive indicators this year: more businesses have opened their doors, more people continue to move here, tourists are…
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