News

The Beach Bar FMB reopens, reviving community spirit and good times

06/25/2025

In a milestone for the Fort Myers Beach community as The Beach Bar, on I Street, officially opened its doors. On Sept. 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian swept through Fort Myers Beach, severely damaging the community, including the historic Beach Bar. Just 97 days after Hurricane Ian turned Fort Myers Beach upside down, Greg and Madeline…

Immokalee Foundation receives $40,000 grant from Woman’s Foundation of Collier County to support middle school girls

06/25/2025

The Immokalee Foundation received a $40,000 grant from the Women’s Foundation of Collier County. These funds are earmarked to support middle school girls participating in the Foundation’s after-school Career Pathways education and workforce development program. The Women’s Foundation of Collier County awards annual grants through a competitive application and review process. Funding is made possible…

Naples Children & Education Foundation mames Rosas as festival support, online auction coordinator

06/24/2025

The Naples Children & Education Foundation, the founding organization of the hugely successful Naples Winter Wine Festival, announced the appointment of Karla Rosas as Festival Support & Online Auction Coordinator. In this position, Rosas will tap her experience in various commercial and retail luxury industries in ensuring the success of NCEF’s various events, including its…

Deadline to apply for economic injury loans approaching

06/23/2025

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Florida of the July 11 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses due to Hurricane Milton occurring on Oct. 5 through Nov. 2, 2024. The disaster declaration covers the counties of Alachua, Baker,…

Nominations for hospitality award open through July 11

06/23/2025

Have you experienced unbelievable customer service in the Fort Myers area? We know you’ve met some of our customer service professionals who have made your experience as a visitor or local resident more rewarding because of the outstanding assistance they have provided. Or you work with colleagues or have staff members who have gone “above…

Cameratta Companies begins development of Kingston community in Estero

06/23/2025

Cameratta Companies has started construction on the new Kingston community that will span in total over 6,702 acres. The first portion of the land to be developed is approximately 2,700 acres of property. Kingston is known to be a conservation restoration project that will transform a distressed and overgrown farmland into a community blending environmental…

SWFBT Publisher Moore featured as regional expert

06/22/2025

SWFBT Publisher Karen P. Moore was recently tapped to be featured on the Florida-wide weekly radio news show, The Florida Roundup, along with other real estate and print media professionals from around the state, addressing the question, “Does the recent drop in condominium and home sales in Florida indicate the coming of a market crash…

Lee Commissioners approve HUD grants to rehabilitate rental units

06/18/2025

The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday 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. In…

Collaboratory CEO selected for Leadership Florida

06/18/2025

Dawn Belamarich, CEO and President of Collaboratory, has been selected for Leadership Florida’s Cornerstone Class 43 for the 2025-2026 session. Belamarich joins more than 50 leaders from across Florida for a nine-month educational program focusing on issues critical to the state. Established in 1982 by the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Florida identifies individuals who demonstrate…

Industry Appreciation Awards nominations due by June 30

06/18/2025

The application process to nominate an outstanding business or professional leader for the 2025 Industry Appreciation Awards will be closing on Monday, June 30. The Industry Appreciation Awards, now in its 33rd year, honors Lee County’s top businesses and business leaders that drive the local economy, employ the workforce and shape their industries. Sponsored by…