News

DFCU Financial completes acquisition of MidWestOne Bank’s Florida Operations

06/11/2024

DFCU Financial and MidWestOne Bank have finalized their previously announced acquisition of MidWestOne Bank’s Florida operations in the Naples-Marco Island MSA and the Cape Coral-Fort Myers MSA. “We are excited to announce that the acquisition of MidWestOne Bank’s Florida branches is now complete. This integration brings both MidWestOne’s Florida customers and employees into DFCU Financial. We…

Blind Pass Condos, CHR office sanctioned with SanCap Chamber ribbon-cuttings

06/11/2024

SanCap Chamber welcomed continued post-hurricane progress this week with two Sanibel Island ribbon-cutting celebrations at Blind Pass Condominiums, 5117 Sea Bell Rd., on June 3; and a new office for Community & Housing Resources, 2340 Periwinkle Way, on June 5. The 107-unit, seven-acre Blind Pass Condominiums includes more than 80 units in its rental programs.…

Town of Fort Myers Beach provides an update on the FEMA National Flood Insurance Program

06/06/2024

The Town of Fort Myers Beach submitted all required documentation identified by FEMA on Tuesday, May 21. Town staff are awaiting review of the documentation by FEMA. It is anticipated that the review period will take 30 days from the deadline given to all municipalities to submit, which is June 10. The Town of Fort…

2024 Industry Appreciation Awards to be held Oct. 25 at Caloosa Sound

06/06/2024

Nominations are open for the 2024 Industry Appreciation Awards, which will recognize Lee County’s top businesses and business leaders on Friday, Oct. 25, at Caloosa Sound Convention Center in Fort Myers. This year, awards will be given in eight categories: – Large Business of the Year – Small Business of the Year – Large Manufacturer…

Governor DeSantis awards $7.5 million to support Lee infrastructure improvements

06/06/2024

Governor Ron DeSantis awarded $7.5 million to Lee County through the Job Growth Grant Fund to support the Lee County shrimping industry, which was devastated by Hurricane Ian. The award will be used to rebuild and enhance the shrimp fleet dockage facility at the publicly owned San Carlos Maritime Park. Through this award, the dual-purpose…

AT&T upgrades wireless network and boosts speeds in Southwest Florida

06/04/2024

AT&T* has expanded its 5G network in Southwest Florida, giving residents, businesses, and visitors a big boost in their wireless connectivity. AT&T added three new cell sites to enhance the area’s coverage and capacity. The new cell sites will boost coverage and capacity in the areas of: • Naples – Improves coverage to nearby residential…

Initiative available to strengthen minority-owned small businesses in Fort Myers

06/04/2024

The USI CDFI and Truist Foundation have created an equitable loan fund and application system to attract, support and fund historically excluded small businesses in Fort Myers, Baltimore and Norfolk. The CDFI will equip these businesses with the credit, knowledge and tools to start, grow and sustain. Truist Foundation provided a $1.5 million grant to…

Lee County provides update on FEMA National Flood Insurance Program issue

06/04/2024

Lee County staff provided an update at the Lee Board of County Commissioners regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday related to the county’s diligent work to provide all requested and required documentation in response to FEMA’s efforts to retrograde the county’s Community Rating System (CRS) classification. Residents can watch the update portion of the meeting by visiting…

SWFL Inc. announces 2024 INCredible Awards winners

06/03/2024

SWFL Inc. recently hosted its annual INCredible Awards celebration and announced its 2024 award winners. Finalists were selected from several dozen applications and nominations throughout Lee, Collier, and Charlotte County. “Southwest Florida is full of optimism, energy, and resilience – and it is all thanks to businesses like yours that put in the hard work…

Legal and/or Security Concerns: What Entrepreneurs Need to Know

06/03/2024

To address these topics, Southwest Florida Business Today (SWFBT) is dedicating its July issue to this theme. In this edition we are featuring attorneys, employer services, human resources, and business security, highlighting the most current legal, operational, and security updates that business owners need to know to properly and most cost-efficiently operate their businesses. As…