by JENNIFER BERG
Fort Myers Regional Partnership

Six local companies and one individual were recognized during the 2012 Industry Appreciation Lunch on at the Harborside Event Center in downtown Fort Myers.

The Horizon Council is a public-private board established in 1991 to advise the Lee County Board of Commissioners on economic development issues. The Council has up to 80 members representing five cities; 10 chambers of commerce; 16 economic development and trade organizations; 14 community, business, and education organizations; along with various officers and at-large members.

The annual event drew a record crowd of nearly 1,000 government, business, and community leaders to celebrate the significant contributions of the business community in Lee County and to increase public awareness of how industries boost the state’s economy and improve the quality of life in the communities in which they are located.

The Fort Myers Regional Partnership promotes and builds the region through ongoing efforts from its proactive team of domestic and international recruiters, research staff and community liaisons, as well as through its partnerships with the Horizon Council and the Lee County Industrial Development Authority.

“On behalf of the entire Economic Development Office, we applaud the tireless efforts of the Horizon Council and Industrial Development Authority. ‘Together, We Mean Business’ is more than a tagline or a motto, it is a driving force among our community with a united mission for business expansion and location commitments that brings jobs to Lee County and positions our community as the economic development leader to enhance the quality of life for all of us,” said Jim Moore, executive director of the Fort Myers Regional Partnership.

Based on their exceptional level of leadership, innovation, investment, and community involvement in Southwest Florida, the 2012 Business Leadership Awards, Business Expansion Award and Lifetime Achievement Award winners are:

• General Business Award: Ensite Corporation
• Tourism Award: Boston Red Sox
• Information Technology Award: dESCO, LLC
• Manufacturing Award: Shaw Development
• Newcomer Award: Arthrex
• Business Expansion Award: Gartner, Inc.
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Ron Inge

The mission of the Horizon Council is to improve the business environment in Lee County, retain and encourage the expansion of existing businesses, and attract new and diversified employment to the area. Throughout 2012, signature task force initiatives were developed and successfully implemented to include the Educators Immersion Tour and Healthy Horizon Wellness Challenge.

The Partnership continues to promote and build the region through ongoing efforts from its proactive team of domestic and international recruiters, research staff and community liaisons, as well as through its partnerships with the Horizon Foundation, the Horizon Council and the Lee County Industrial Development Authority.

Jennifer Berg is the Marketing and Communications Director for the Fort Myers Regional Partnership.