News

Sanibel Captiva Community Bank extends hours at temporary Fort Myers Beach office

07/02/2025

Sanibel Captiva Community Bank has extended the hours of its temporary Fort Myers Beach office to better serve local residents and businesses ahead of its permanent branch opening in 2026. Located on the third floor of the Access Title Agency building at 100 Lovers Lane, the temporary office will be open every Wednesday from 9:30…

Lee Commissioners approve HUD grants to rehabilitate 644 affordable rental units

06/30/2025

The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted recently to approve agreements to rehabilitate 644 affordable rental units at four multi-family affordable housing developments. This is part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery allocation to Lee County. Hurricane Ian made landfall in Lee County on Sept. 28, 2022.…

City of Fort Myers awards $150,000 in arts and culture grants

06/30/2025

This June, the City of Fort Myers is awarding $150,000 in grants to arts organizations, groups and individual artists advancing arts and culture within the City. Fort Myers City Council unanimously approved the item at the June 16 meeting. The City recognizes the importance of the arts to the cultural, economic, educational and well-being of…

Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands giving program hits $150,000 milestone

06/27/2025

Bank of the Islands has reached an important milestone in its “We Love Our Islands” corporate philanthropy program. The “We Love Our Islands” program has funded donations to 45 nonprofits, houses of worship, first responders and service organizations working to enrich our island community. With the most recent gifts, the “We Love Our Islands” program…

Fort Myers CRA announces live request for statement of qualifications for Innovation Walk Master Plan

06/27/2025

The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) launched Request for Statement of Qualifications for the Ft. Myers Walk of Innovation. In the same spirit of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford sparking the genesis of innovation in Fort Myers, the Innovation Walk will reignite their legacy of human genius, melding the past with future-forward thinkers. The…

Vineyards Country Club’s North Course named among nation’s best renovated by Golf Inc.

06/27/2025

Vineyards Country Club’s North Course in Naples has been recognized with an honorable mention in Golf Inc. magazine’s 2025 Best Renovation of the Year awards, distinguishing it as one of the top course renovations in the country. It is the only course in Southwest Florida — public or private — to earn a spot on this…

SBA offers disaster relief to Collier small businesses and private nonprofits affected by drought

06/26/2025

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low-interest federal disaster loans to small businesses and private nonprofit organizations in Florida who sustained economic losses caused by drought occurring June 1. The disaster declaration covers the Florida counties of Collier, Miami-Dade and Monroe. Under this declaration, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is…

Bloom to bring affordable housing to essential workers

06/25/2025

An affordable housing community is coming to Fort Myers, marking a significant step forward in addressing the region’s pressing need for attainable housing. Located on Hanson Street in Fort Myers, Bloom is being developed by Renaissance Development Group, in collaboration with Lee County and the City of Fort Myers. The 336-unit community will offer high-quality,…

Sanibel Captiva Community Bank sponsors Friends of Randy of Sanibel’s Fourth of July Road Rally

06/25/2025

Sanibel Captiva Community Bank announced its sponsorship of the Friends of Randy of Sanibel’s Fourth of July Road Rally taking place at noon on Friday, July 4 at The Timbers Restaurant & Fish Market on Sanibel. A long-standing island tradition in its 45th year, proceeds will benefit Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW). The…

Fort Myers, Naples area students win awards at national RTX Invention Convention

06/25/2025

In Dearborn, Michigan, three Fort Myers-Naples area students were honored for their ingenuity at the 10th annual RTX Invention Convention U.S. Nationals, powered by The Henry Ford. Area winners included Community School Of Naples ninth grader Arabella A., recent Fort Myers High School graduate Dhruva S. and Dunbar High School 11th grader Nishini F. These students were among 70 award-winning K-12 inventors from…