News
The Coronavirus crisis has created a financial burden to small businesses everywhere, causing a ripple effect that impacts not just our economy, but our citizens. To help offset this financial strain for small businesses, a group of corporate and philanthropic partners have come together to create the “Save Small Business Fund”. The goal of this…
Florida SBDC Network Headquarters (Pensacola, Fla.) – With the assistance of the Florida SBDC Network, the state’s principal provider of business assistance, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), the administrator of the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan program has received more than 38,000 applications since the program was first activated on March 17. As…
Fort Myers, FL, April 2, 2020 – Lee County businesses seeking information about recovery assistance can access a newly launched Business Assistance Portal at www.leegov.com/covid-19/business or by calling the Business Assistance Hotline at 239-533-2273 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. The Business Assistance Portal is an online tool meant to provide information to businesses and not-for-profit…
The US and global economy are in uncharted waters at this time. Florida is no different. Functioning critical infrastructure is imperative during the response to the COVID-19 emergency for both public health, safety and community well-being. It will be even more important in the critical recovery effort to follow. In Florida, manufacturers are identified as…
Fort Myers, FL, April 7, 2020 – Small businesses are suffering the most due to COVID-19, according to an initial survey conducted to understand the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Southwest Florida. The COVID-19 Economic Impact Survey was designed to allow company executives to voice concerns about the impact of the pandemic on…
Governor Ron DeSantis activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program to support small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The bridge loan program, managed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), will provide short-term, interest-free loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury from COVID-19. The application period opens tomorrow, March 17, 2020 and…
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity announced the Fort Myers area added 4,300 new private-sector jobs in the past year. The area’s unemployment rate was 3.1% in January, down 0.7 percentage point from one year ago. The Naples area added 700 new private-sector jobs in the past year. The area’s unemployment rate was 3% in…
The Bonita Springs Area Chamber is proud to announce the promotion of Charles Stanisce to Technology and Content Manager. Stanisce recently celebrated his four-year anniversary with the Chamber as its Member Services Representative and is also on the Board of Directors of the Multiple Sclerosis Center of Southwest Florida. “With his new role, Charles will…
Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa announces the appointment of Michele Berger as General Manager. Berger will oversee operations at the historic resort on Captiva Island, with an emphasis in staff management and guest satisfaction. As a General Manager of retail and hospitality for over 20 years, and the former front desk manager of ‘Tween…
The American Advertising Federation (AAF)-SWFL presented Spiro & Associates Marketing, Advertising, Public Relations and Brand Architecture with four local American Advertising (ADDY) Awards on Feb. 29. Several Brand Architects, including the agency’s creative director and two senior art directors, accepted the Silver certificates for outstanding entries during a “Mad Men and Mad Women of Advertising”…