News
Governor DeSantis announced the activation of the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, making $10 million available for businesses impacted by Hurricane Debby. Florida small business owners in need of assistance, including sole proprietors, are encouraged to visit www.FloridaJobs.org/EBLÂ Â to apply for the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. The program provides short-term, zero-interest…
Today, FloridaCommerce and the State Emergency Response Team activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey in response to Hurricane Debby. Business owners can self-report physical and economic damage caused by Hurricane Debby. Survey responses will allow the state to expedite Hurricane Debby recovery efforts by gathering data and assessing the needs of impacted businesses. Businesses can…
Lee County Parks & Recreation is assessing sites for damage and impacts from Tropical Storm Debby, which made landfall as Hurricane Debby in Florida’s Big Bend earlier today. Bunche Beach Preserve, Lynn Hall Memorial Park and access No. 4 of Bonita Beach Park are currently closed. Please note that some parking areas along Bonita Beach…
Innovative Food Holdings, a national seller of gourmet specialty foods to professional chefs, announced it has been selected to present at the 9th annual MicroCap Leadership Summit on Thursday, Aug. 1. The MicroCap Leadership Summit is a two-day event hosted by MicroCapClub at the Coeur d’Alene Resort in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The Innovative Food Holdings…
The Greater Fort Myers Chamber, along with the Southwest Florida community, recognized local businesses and leaders at this year’s annual Chamber Awards, held July 25 at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center in downtown Fort Myers. The program celebrated the installation of the Chamber’s 2024-25 board of directors, recognized the 2023-24 committee chairs and featured an…
There are new BOI Federal Reporting Requirements. Who must report? Companies required to report are called reporting companies. Reporting companies may have to obtain information from their beneficial owners and report that information to FinCEN. Who does not have to report? Twenty-three types of entities are exempt from the beneficial ownership information reporting requirements. These…
Despite a 59 percent increase in overall inventory during June (compared to June 2023), overall closed sales during the month decreased 17.3 percent to 710 closed sales from 859 closed sales in June 2023. Data reflected in the June 2024 Market Report by the Naples Area Board of Realtors® (NABOR®), which tracks home listings and sales…
FloridaCommerce announced that the Southwest Florida total nonagricultural employment increased by 10,600 jobs over the year in June 2024. The Fort Myers area’s total nonagricultural employment grew by 5,500 jobs (+1.8%) over the year in June 2024 and the Naples area’s total nonagricultural employment grew by 5,100 jobs (+3.0%) over the year. The Naples area…
Florida SouthWestern State College’s Center of Healthcare Training and Simulation Excellence recently introduced Gwen, a groundbreaking 3D model of a 7-year-old girl with Down Syndrome developed by LifeCast Body Simulation, into its School of Health Professions simulation training. Gwen joins the array of training tools at FSW’s Lee Campus, enhancing the educational experience for FSW…
The City of Cape Coral received positive news from FEMA, confirming the city’s current Community Rating System (CRS) classification of 5 will be maintained. FEMA documented their decision in a letter received today, which states: “Our team has completed its review of the city’s compliance with the minimum floodplain management standards and everything that has been done to…