News

Habitat for Humanity unveils new headquarters, five affordable housing initiatives

02/27/2025

Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties recently held its “Blueprints of the Future” event on Feb. 4, hosted by Clive Daniel Home in Fort Myers. The event gathered community leaders and supporters to learn about Habitat’s upcoming plans and initiatives for the community. During the event, Habitat leadership shared the organization’s vision and…

Tortuga Beverage partners with SWFL brewery for national distribution

02/27/2025

Tortuga Beverage Company, a Naples-based botanical beverage manufacturer, has partnered with Riptide Brewing Company in Bonita Springs for the brewing and canning of its botanical beverages. An expert in strain-specific kratom beverages, Tortuga Beverage Company produces botanical beverages every week for distribution both locally and across the country. The partnership with Riptide Brewing Company allows…

SWFL Inc. opens nominations for the INCredible Awards 2025

02/24/2025

SWFL Inc. announced nominations are open for the INCredible Awards 2025, a celebration honoring outstanding individuals, businesses, and nonprofits in Southwest Florida. The awards ceremony will take place on Tuesday, May 13 from 11:30 am to 1 pm at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point. The INCredible Awards recognize the influential leaders and organizations that contribute…

New sensory room unveiled at Lee Health Sports Complex

02/24/2025

The Minnesota Twins, in partnership with Lee County, Lee Health’s Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida and Family Initiative, Inc., today unveiled the Grapefruit League’s first ever, in-ballpark sensory room at Lee Health Sports Complex. The new, state-of-the-art Twins Sensory Room provides a welcoming, compatible and supportive environment for neurodivergent guests of all ages at…

Small businesses eligible for grant through State Trade and Expansion Program

02/24/2025

Submitted by Lee County EDO Looking to export? Small businesses may be eligible for a grant through the Small Business Administration’s State Trade and Expansion Program. Through the STEP grant, businesses may be able to receive reimbursement costs incurred for trade show fees and related travel expenses, including product sample shipments, translation services, company promotions/marketing…

State-of-the-economy report praises 2024 economic development in Lee County

02/20/2025

A who’s who of business and community leaders from across Southwest Florida gathered Feb. 6 at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre for a state-of-the-economy presentation that revealed encouraging signs about the local economy. The Annual Meeting of the Horizon Council, Horizon Foundation and Lee County Economic Development Office attracted nearly 400 guests as industry experts revealed…

Lee County provides an update on the Fort Myers Beach Pier

02/20/2025

The Lee Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday received an update on the progress of building the new, larger and more resilient Fort Myers Beach Pier that accelerates the planned completion of the project. The estimated completion date of the pier is now in August 2027, ahead of the previous planned completion in summer 2028.…

Lee commissioners prepares for receipt of funds to address unmet needs from Hurricanes Helene and Milton

02/18/2025

Lee County has been allocated more than $100.6 million in Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This funding will provide critical resources to address unmet recovery needs from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, supporting essential recovery efforts with a focus on housing repair…

Lee continues commitment to improving county’s transportation network

02/18/2025

The Lee Board of County Commissioners continued its commitment to improving the county’s transportation network on Tuesday with votes to approve multiple projects. Among the key votes, the Board: Six Mile Cypress and Daniels Parkway Voted to award a low-bid, $2 million contract to Ajax Paving Industries of Florida, LLC, to improve and expand the…

Minority Business Enterprise certification workshop to be held Feb. 20

02/07/2025

The SWFL Enterprise Center, NK Enterprise Consulting, and the National Association of Real Estate Brokers are partnering to empower small businesses in Southwest Florida by providing them with the tools and resources to become Certified Business Enterprises through the Office of Supplier Diversity in Florida. This initiative was developed to support small businesses in Southwest…