News

Three small business-friendly policies to help cut expenses and cope with inflation

03/27/2022

Guest Commentary by Anne Zimmerman, Opinion Contributor While there has been a slew of recent positive news about our growing economy, inflation is commanding all our attention. Unfortunately for Main Street Mom-and-Pop businesses, many elected leaders are choosing to use this as a cudgel to bash their opponents rather than doing the hard work of…

CRA Approves 2010 Hanson Street for $8.2 Million Tax Increment Rebate

03/14/2022

FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) recently approved a tax increment rebate and development agreement for 2010 Hanson Street located in the Cleveland Avenue redevelopment area. The CRA approved a tax increment rebate in the not-to-exceed amount of $8.2 million for 2010 Hanson Street disbursed at 85 percent of increment…

Gov. DeSantis appoints Kevin Karnes as Lee County Clerk of Court

03/13/2022

FORT MYERS, FLA. – Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed Kevin Karnes as Lee County Clerk of Court & Comptroller, filling the seat of retired Clerk Linda Doggett. Karnes is a 14-year veteran of the office and previously served as chief operating officer, overseeing approximately 300 employees in departments handling court services, finance and technology. He…

Studio+ acquires TDM Architects, Inc.

03/13/2022

Award-winning architecture and design firm Studio+ has acquired TDM Architects, Inc., a full-service architectural and planning company founded in Los Angeles in 1994. Recently rebranded as Studio+, the firm has 30 years of expertise in education, including K-12 schools, higher education, religious, athletic, school modernization, child development centers, multifamily, senior housing modernization and aerospace. “The…

$4.250 million sale breaks Captiva condo records

03/13/2022

Captiva Island, Fla. — A 1,620 square-foot three-bedroom, three-bath condominium within South Seas Island Resort at 20 Beach Home closed last month for $4.250 million. According to John R. Wood Properties, the sale residence represents the highest condominium sale to date on Captiva Island. The property, represented by John R. Wood Properties Vice President and…

Cogent Bank grows throughout Florida, announces $1B in assets

03/12/2022

ORLANDO, Fla.  – On the heels of significant growth and expansion in 2021,  Cogent Bank has achieved another milestone – reaching $1 billion in assets.  Cogent continues to experience strong loan and deposit growth. The Bank’s total loans grew by 51% since 2020 and notably, specialty lending doubled in 2021.  Total deposits grew by 105% since 2020. Ranked as…

Goodwill’s MicroEnterprise Institute is accepting applications

03/11/2022

Ft. Myers, FL – Individuals who are thinking about starting their own business but need some mentoring are invited to apply to the Goodwill Southwest Florida MicroEnterprise Institute, scheduled for April 11 – May 19, 2022. The MicroEnterprise Institute is a six-week training program to help emerging entrepreneurs start new ventures and grow small businesses.…

United® Real Estate Infinity Announces Merger with Gateway Real Estate of Fort Myers

03/11/2022

(Fort Myers, FL) – United Real Estate Infinity announced today its merger with local residential real estate brokerage, Gateway Real Estate. The alliance expands United’s residential and property management teams and significantly increases United | Infinity’s property management portfolio, including expertise in golf course community properties. Gateway Real Estate, founded by Broker, John Little, has…

Cypress Living Puts Focus on Data-Driven Senior Care, Partners with K4Connect bringing Innovative Experiences

03/10/2022

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Today, K4Connect, a mission-driven healthtech company integrating the best in technology to serve and empower older adults and individuals living with disabilities, announced its expansion into the Southeast through a technology partnership with Cypress Living, the architect of innovative senior living solutions in Southwest Florida. The partnership brings senior living’s most…

Resnick-Wynn Family Business Conference creates scholarship program for business majors at FGCU

03/10/2022

The inaugural Resnick-Wynn Family Business Conference, headlined by media mogul Steve Forbes, donated $25,000 to establish a scholarship fund for business and entrepreneurship majors at Florida Gulf Coast University who plan to launch or lead a family business. Held March 4 at FGCU, the conference – titled “Family Business: Thriving in an Ever-Changing World” –attracted…