News

Corporate Transparency Act Enforcement suspended nationwide

01/02/2025

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas granted a nationwide temporary injunction on Dec. 3 suspending enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and its Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting rule. The injunction effectively suspends the requirement under the CTA for reporting companies to disclose their beneficial ownership information to the Financial…

W 1/8 NEXT SWFBT DEADLINE

01/02/2025

Okay, I know it’s only the first week of January, but we all know it’s time to remind business owners that the 2024 tax deadlines are right around the corner! Thanks to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, some of us still need (and have time) to file our 2023 taxes! The FEBRUARY issue of Southwest Florida…

Florida Disaster Recovery Centers release New Year’s schedule

12/30/2024

All Florida Disaster Recovery Centers, except for Pinellas and Sarasota counties, will close at noon on Tuesday, Dec. 31. The centers at the Enoch Davis Center in Pinellas County and at the Venice Community Center in Sarasota County will be closed all day on Tuesday, Dec. 31. All centers in Florida will be closed on…

Two weeks left for Floridians to apply for FEMA assistance after Hurricanes Milton and Helene

12/24/2024

Floridians who sustained loss from Hurricanes Milton and/or Helene have two weeks remaining to apply for federal assistance. The deadline is Jan. 7, 2025. If you applied for FEMA assistance after Hurricane Helene and have additional damage from Hurricane Milton, you will need to apply separately for Milton and provide the dates of your most recent damage. Homeowners and…

IRS help available to victims of Hurricanes Helene and Milton; May 1 deadline now applies to individuals and businesses

12/19/2024

In the wake of the devastating hurricanes that have ravaged Florida and the Southeast in recent weeks, the Internal Revenue Service reassured victims that it stands ready to provide the tax-related assistance they need to recover from these storms. IRS.gov has a variety of information to help disaster victims navigate common situations in the aftermath…

Disaster Recovery Center open in Lee County

12/19/2024

FEMA has opened a Disaster Recovery Center in Lee County to provide one-on-one help to Floridians affected by Hurricanes Milton and Helene. Survivors of Hurricane Debby can also be served by the center. Survivors do not need to visit a center to apply for assistance. Survivors are encouraged to apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by downloading the FEMA…

Inn at Pelican Bay Named Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Winner for 2024

12/19/2024

The Inn at Pelican Bay has been named the No. 1 hotel in Naples and No. 1 in Florida by Tripadvisor’s® Travelers’ Choice® Awards Best of the Best for 2024. The boutique hotel also ranked No. 25 in the United States, placing it among the top 1% of hotels worldwide. The Travelers’ Choice Best of…

Lee County Tourist Development Council welcomes new chair

12/11/2024

The Lee Board of County Commissioners appointed Commission Chairman Kevin Ruane as chair of the Tourist Development Council. The chairmanship becomes effective immediately.  Ruane’s first meeting as TDC chair will be Thursday, Dec. 12. The TDC meeting will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 118 of the Admin East Building, 2201 Second St., Fort Myers.…

Town of Fort Myers Beach purchases property for town hall complex

12/10/2024

The Town of Fort Myers Beach purchased the 7-Eleven property located at 6221 Estero Blvd. The town would like to thank the state for their continued support throughout our recovery from Hurricane Ian, which made this purchase possible. It would also like to recognize the hard work of our town council, as well as their…

TWEEDS holds grand opening on 5th Avenue in Naples

12/10/2024

Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann and Naples Area Chamber of Commerce CEO joined Donald Carlson, founder of TWEEDS Suit Shop and 50 guests to celebrate the opening of its new location at 955 5th Avenue South in the Naples Design District with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, Dec. 3. Guests were welcomed with gourmet charcuterie boards…