News

Southwest Florida Business Today features entrepreneurs

09/03/2024

Southwest Florida Business Today (SWFBT) is dedicating its October edition to the entrepreneur. Share your latest entrepreneurial successes and struggles, lessons lived and learned, 300-word limit. These can include your Ian survival and success stories since recovery is ongoing. There is no charge for these guest column submissions. They run on a space-available basis. Please…

Lee Commissioners award more than $229 million in Disaster Recovery grants

09/03/2024

The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to award more than $229 million in grants for about 20 public facility and infrastructure projects funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery allocation to Lee County. The projects will be undertaken by Lee County, each municipality, the…

SanCap Chamber to discuss water-quality’s economic impact

09/03/2024

As the SanCap Chamber continues its Preserving Paradise leadership program, connecting the dots between local ecology and economy, it has invited The Everglades Foundation Chief Executive Officer Eric Eikenberg to speak at its Wednesday, Sep. 18, business luncheon starting at 11:30 a.m. at The Community House on Sanibel Island. The Everglades Foundation is one of…

Hurricane Housing Recovery Program expands grants to residents

08/26/2024

Residents may now apply for homeowners’ and/or flood Insurance, mortgage assistance, and rent assistance, up to $25,000 in grant funding. Collier County is expanding efforts to assist residents recovering from the storm impacts and flooding related to Hurricane Ian (September 28, 2022), Invest 90L (June 11, 2024), and Tropical Storm/Hurricane Debby (August 4, 2024). Grants…

Drake Ready Mix announced as GrowFL “Company to Watch” finalist

08/26/2024

Drake Ready Mix, a family-owned and operated concrete ready mix company, has been announced as a finalist on GrowFL’s “Companies to Watch” list, which honors high-growth, second-stage companies headquartered in Florida that demonstrate exceptional innovation and potential for future success. Founded in 2006 by a father-and-son team, Drake Ready Mix operates out of a 10-acre,…

Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance completes first building in affordable apartment complex

08/26/2024

Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance marked the completion of its much-anticipated first building in a new affordable apartment community that offers safe, decent housing to Immokalee families. The nonprofit’s Move-in Celebration on Aug. 23 attracted more than 150 supporters and community leaders, as well as the first set of families that will be moving into their…

Cypress Pharmacy introduces new name and logo as Cypress Wellness Pharmacy

08/26/2024

After more than 40 years of dedicated service to the Fort Myers community, Cypress Pharmacy announces its new name as Cypress Wellness Pharmacy. This change, which includes a new logo, underscores the business’s ongoing commitment to personalized service, education and overall wellness. Locally owned and operated, Cypress Wellness Pharmacy continues to offer a wide range…

Town of Fort Myers Beach purchases new Town Hall building

08/23/2024

The Town of Fort Myers Beach closed on the purchase of 6231 Estero Blvd to be used as the new Town Hall! What would have been a $15-20 million 5-year construction project has turned into the Town acquiring an existing building in only 22 months for $7 million. Thank you to everyone who assisted in…

FutureMakers Coalition chosen for national effort to rethink and revitalize economies in rural communities

08/23/2024

FutureMakers Coalition at Collaboratory has been selected by CivicLab to participate in a three-year incubator to rethink and revitalize their communities by strengthening rural higher education and employment systems. FutureMakers Coalition joins other communities participating in this cohort from states across the country, including Arkansas, California, Indiana, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio and South Carolina. Supported…

Sanibel Captiva Community Bank purchases Fort Myers Beach property to open the only on-island bank

08/22/2024

Sanibel Captiva Community Bank announced the purchase of gulf-side land located on Estero Boulevard on Fort Myers Beach for the development of its newest branch. This purchase marks a significant milestone in the bank’s growth plan and strategically positions the bank to meet the growing need for banking services on Fort Myers Beach. Sanibel Captiva…