News

Governor Ron DeSantis Announces First Awards Through Broadband Opportunity Program

02/02/2023

MILTON, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the first set of awards through the Broadband Opportunity Grant Program to expand access to broadband internet for Florida’s underserved communities. More than $144 million was awarded for 58 projects in 41 Florida counties for broadband internet expansion that will impact nearly 160,000 unserved residential, educational, business, and community locations.…

Upcoming League of Women Voters of Sanibel Council Forum

02/01/2023

The League of Women Voters of Sanibel will hold a public candidate forum on Thursday, February 23 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Big Arts located at 900 Road. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. The candidates for Sanibel Municipal election include Richard Johnson, Holly Dineen Smith, Jude Sincoskie, and Trop Cobb Thompson. Two city council…

Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency closes on Revolving Housing Loan

01/31/2023

FORT MYERS, Fla.  — The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has closed on another successful Revolving Housing Loan available in the Cleveland Avenue and Dr. MLK, Jr. Blvd. redevelopment areas. Working with Catalyst Community Capital, the CRA has closed on a loan for the construction of affordable housing in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.…

Hasbro’s Alan Hassenfeld to address Resnick-Wynn Family Business Conference on March 3 at FGCU

01/30/2023

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The second annual Resnick-Wynn Family Business Conference, held in partnership with Florida Gulf Coast University, will feature former Hasbro Chairman and CEO Alan Hassenfeld as keynote speaker. The March 3 conference, which begins at 12:30 p.m. and is titled “Family Business: Driving Success through Succession,” is open to multigenerational family business…

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Announces Availability of $142 Million to Fuel Small Business Growth 

01/25/2023

Tallahassee, FL – Today, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) announced that $142 million in new capital is available for small businesses and startups through Florida’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). SSBCI, administered by DEO in partnership with Enterprise Florida, Inc., has five programs to serve small businesses that may not otherwise have…

FEMA Advances Accessibility: FEMA-SBA Partnership Provides More than $38 Million in Expanded Assistance to Low-Income Survivors

01/24/2023

WASHINGTON — In the past year, low-income disaster survivors have received more than $38.7 million in expanded assistance because of FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration’s policy changes to lower the minimum household income thresholds for some types of FEMA assistance. FEMA and SBA have programs that help survivors after a disaster, and many…

Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance to host March 1 ‘Wall Raising’ for new affordable housing community

01/23/2023

IMMOKALEE, Fl – On March 1, Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance will host a “Wall Raising Event” to celebrate construction on the first of eight new apartment buildings for low-income families in Immokalee. The community is invited to attend the complimentary signature event at the new site during which guests will sign the walls to emphasize support…

Finalists announced for Industry Appreciation Awards 2022

01/20/2023

FORT MYERS, FL – The Horizon Council, Horizon Foundation and Lee County Economic Development Office have announced finalists for the Industry Appreciation Awards 2022.  Following a rigorous evaluation process, 17 companies have been selected as finalists across six awards categories. Winners will be announced at the Industry Appreciation Awards ceremony on Feb. 10.  The Industry…

Arthrex Receives FDA Clearance for TightRope® Implant as First, Only Device Cleared for Pediatric ACL Surgery

01/20/2023

NAPLES, Fla. — Arthrex, a global leader in minimally invasive surgical technology, announced today its ACL TightRope implant has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for pediatric indications. The TightRope implant is used in the surgical treatment of orthopedic injuries and is the first and only fixation device for anterior cruciate…

Mitigation Experts Now Offering Free Rebuilding Advice in St. Johns and Lee Counties

01/19/2023

LAKE MARY, Fla. – As part of a continuing effort to help Floridians rebuild from Hurricane Nicole and Hurricane Ian, FEMA is offering free advice on how to rebuild stronger and safer against storms. WHERE:        Hurricane Nicole Survivors                        HOME DEPOT          …