News

Lee Commissioners approve agreements for ARPA extended learning and after-school programs

06/01/2022

Fort Myers, FL – The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to approve agreements with local organizations associated with the federal American Rescue Plan Act Recovery & Resilience program for extended learning and after-school programs that address educational disparities. The agreements are for funding of $1.6 million through Dec. 31, 2024: Big Brothers Big…

Storm Smart Acquires Steadfast Inc. strengthen the combined businesses’ presence

06/01/2022

Fort Myers, FL. — Storm Smart, the largest storm-protection and lifestyle-enhancement company in Florida, has acquired Steadfast Inc., one of the leading hurricane screen and shutter suppliers in Palm Beach County. The transaction strengthens the combined businesses’ presence across Florida. Headquartered in Fort Myers, Florida, Storm Smart provides homeowners and businesses with innovative hurricane protection…

SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Florida Businesses and Residents Affected by Severe Storms and Tornadoes

05/19/2022

Florida businesses and residents affected by the severe storms and tornadoes on Jan. 16, 2022, may apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced today. Administrator Guzman made the loans available in response to a letter from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ authorized representative Kevin Guthrie on…

Sunshine Ace Hardware raises $30,639 during spring Children’s Miracle Network campaign

05/12/2022

Sunshine Ace Hardware’s spring “Round Up for the Kids” campaign raised $30,639 to support two Children’s Miracle Network hospitals on Florida’s west coast. Customers were able to round up their purchases at the register to support life-changing medical care for children and teens across the region. Donations collected at Sunshine Ace stores in Collier, Lee…

Past Naples Yacht Club Commodores Award Scholarships to Deserving Students

04/27/2022

NAPLES, Fla. – Dozens of students from schools across Collier County were awarded college scholarships recently by the Naples Yacht Club Chapter of the International Order of the Blue Gavel enabling them to proceed to college and further their education. A total of $93,692 in scholarships were presented this year to local high school seniors…

Seagate Buys 502 Acres in Fort Myers for $15.3 Million

04/26/2022

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Seagate Development Group has purchased the Bell Boulevard Mine – a 502-acre fill sand and rock mining operation on State Road 82 in Fort Myers – from MCIN Bell, LLC for $15.3 million. The permitted site, consisting of six million tons of import fill and 21 million tons of base rock,…

Cogent Bank surpasses $200 million in deposits in Southwest Florida

04/26/2022

Fort Myers, FL – Cogent Bank, (Cogent) a full-service business and personal bank based in Orlando, has reached a significant milestone of surpassing $200 million in deposits from the Fort Myers and Naples banking centers in less than two years. Recent bank consolidations and mergers have made Cogent one of the few remaining community banks…

The 7th Annual Bonita Springs Short Film Festival handed out over $2,000 in awards to filmmakers

04/26/2022

BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. – The red carpet was covered with film lovers of all ages for the seventh annual Bonita Springs Short Film Festival on Thursday, April 14 at Prado Stadium 12 in Bonita Springs. After champagne, hor d’oeuvres and pictures in the director’s chairs, filmmakers and supporters gathered in theater 8 to see all…

Lake Michigan Credit Union Announces 2021-22 Hutt Scholarship Essay Contest Winners

04/26/2022

Grand Rapids, MI. – Lake Michigan Credit Union (“LMCU”) is pleased to announce the 20 winners of this year’s Lloyd F. Hutt Scholarship essay contest. Established in 1990, the annual Lloyd F. Hutt Scholarship essay contest provides 20 local high school seniors each with a $2,000 college scholarship. This scholarship program honors the legacy of…

FutureMakers Chosen for National Effort to Improve Rural Higher Education and Workforce Systems

04/26/2022

FORT MYERS, Fla. –   FutureMakers Coalition has been chosen by CivicLab as one of five rural partnerships across the U.S. to participate in a two-year initiative to improve higher education and workforce systems.  Supported by Ascendium Education Group, FutureMakers Coalition will receive training, technical assistance, and direct financial support valued at $150,000 to develop and…