News
Boys & Girls Club of Collier County is incorporating a new Virtual Reality tool, Transfr VR, to engage members in exploring careers. The innovative VR platform offers immersive learning experiences for teens in grades 6 through 12. The career exploration simulations give students a first-hand look at the daily tasks in various careers, helping them determine if…
The Florida Department of Education, under the leadership of Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr., awarded $12 million through the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program (Workforce CAP) to expand workforce education programs. This latest $12 million investment strengthens eight programs statewide, equipping students with the skills needed to excel in Florida’s agriculture, healthcare and technology. With…
Sunshine Ace Hardware has opened its newest retail store in Southwest Florida, bringing the first hardware store to residents and businesses in the community of Babcock Ranch. Located inside The Shoppes at Yellow Pines at Babcock Ranch’s southern entrance off S.R. 31, the new store is the third Sunshine Ace Hardware in Charlotte County. The…
Sanibel Captiva Community Bank has temporarily suspended services at its McGregor Branch, located at 15975 McGregor Blvd., starting Monday, May 19, as the bank enters the final phase of construction on its new permanent branch being built on the property. The mobile unit was installed in 2023 after the bank’s original McGregor Branch sustained significant…
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to small businesses and private nonprofit organizations in Florida to offset economic losses caused by caused by drought beginning April 15. The disaster declaration covers the primary counties of Broward and Collier, and the adjacent counties of Hendry, Lee, Miami-Dade, Monroe…
Tap 42 Craft Kitchen & Bar is now open in Fort Myers at Bell Tower. Located at 13499 S. Cleveland Ave. Suite 221, the roughly 10,000-square-foot space offers indoor and outdoor seating, along with a second-floor bar, called The Rooftop. The Fort Myers restaurant is the largest of the 12 locations in Florida, and it’s…
Individuals thinking about starting their own business, but need some mentoring, are invited to apply to the Goodwill Southwest Florida MicroEnterprise Institute. Next class is June 2, 2025 to July 10, 2025 in Cape Coral. Class meets Mondays & Thursdays from 6 – 8:30 p.m. at the West Cape Coral Goodwill Community Resource Center, located…
Forager Real Estate Partners, a private equity real estate developer specializing in commercial and industrial assets, announced the launch of The Bonita Foundry, a brand-new class ‘A’ flex commercial and recreational development, in Bonita Springs. The Bonita Foundry will span across 10 acres located at 25411 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs, and also comprise The…
SBA extended a critical 60-day grace period for Hurricane Helene and Milton survivors to apply for disaster recovery assistance. Small businesses are the backbone of our local economies, and many are still rebuilding. The numbers tell the story – as of April 2025, SBA has approved over $695 million in recovery funds for Florida businesses and homeowners affected…
At a May 5 town council meeting, councilors approved a contract with Will McKannay to become the new town manager of Fort Myers Beach. Will has more than 30 years of management and leadership experience in the U.S. Army, retiring as a Colonel. He served as a Garrison Commander (city manager) of Fort Riley, Kansas,…