CRA Approves 5 New Job Program Applicants

cra

FORT MYERS. June 26, 2020. The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is proud to announce the approval of 5 new applicants to their Job Creation & Talent Attraction Program.

“This program has generated more interest in Fort Myers as a technology hub,” stated CRA Chair Fred Burson. The CRA’s Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the applicants at their June 24, 2020 regular meeting. 

This incentive was created to attract higher-wage jobs to Fort Myers redevelopment areas. This initiative was first launched in the Downtown redevelopment area. 

Currently, 16 employees are participating in the program to qualify for a total potential incentive of $68,000.

This program assists business retention in key target industries such as Research and Development, Software, Computing and Technology, and General Office. To date, two employers with a conversion 14 new jobs/employees have been approved to participate in the program. The two employers, Cigent and Fieldedge, are leading firms in the technology software and hardware space.

The incentive dollar amount for each new job created will be determined by the percentage of the employee’s salary compared to Lee County’s average wage. A bonus may be earned for each approved employee living in a CRA area.The program is funded through the Tax Increment Funding (TIF) generated in each redevelopment area.

The Fort Myers Job Creation and Talent Attraction Program Guidelines and Application may be found at https://cityftmyers.com/cra.

About the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)
The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency was created in 1984 by the City of Fort Myers, Florida, under Florida Statute Chapter 163, to formulate a plan and strategy for the revitalization of the downtown River District. The Fort Myers CRA has continued to grow, and redevelopment areas have been added throughout the city. Today, the Agency oversees 12 different redevelopment areas within the Fort Myers city limits. The Fort Myers CRA, along with the City’s Community Development Division, prepares plans for the revitalization of each area and coordinates the implementation of the plan’s recommendations. Tax Increment Funds (TIF) generated by each area, combined with other funding sources, are used to upgrade the public infrastructure and to stimulate redevelopment in the same area where it was generated. The Fort Myers City Council members, sitting as the Community Redevelopment Agency, oversee the Agency’s divisions and their operations. The Fort Myers CRA office is located at 1400 Jackson Street in the Downtown River District. Contact: 239-321-7100