News

SWFL business group to address innovation, expansion at Feb. 5 event

01/07/2026

The Horizon Council, Horizon Foundation and the Lee County Economic Development Office will explore another year of business growth and opportunities at the 2026 Annual Meeting on Feb. 5. The 2026 Annual Meeting will feature a State of the Economy presentation, ‘Innovation Evolved: Fueling Business Expansion and Community Prosperity,’ recapping the tremendous growth in Lee…

Greater Naples Chamber Board of Directors approves 2026 public policy platform

01/05/2026

The Greater Naples Chamber ‘s Board of Directors has approved the organization’s public policy priorities. Updated annually, these priorities will guide the Chamber’s work at the local, state and federal levels throughout the coming year The 2026 agenda reflects input from Chamber members and was reviewed by the Chamber’s executive committee before going to the…

SBA relief still available to small businesses and private nonprofits affected by drought

01/02/2026

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Florida of the Feb. 2 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the drought occurring on May 6, 2025. The disaster declaration covers the counties of Charlotte, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River,…

Fort Myers Beach achieves major FEMA milestone, earns prestigious CRS Class 5 rating

12/29/2025

In a major milestone for the Town’s recovery and long-term resilience, the Town of Fort Myers Beach has earned a Class 5 rating in the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System (CRS), a designation that delivers real financial relief to residents and national recognition for the Town’s flood mitigation and governance efforts. The rating was formally confirmed in…

Naples Airport Authority approves Phase II of North Road Terminal renovation

12/23/2025

The Naples Airport Authority’s Board of Commissioners voted 4-0 to award contracts to Curran Young Construction, Garland and Schenkel Schultz for Phase II of renovation work at the North Road Terminal. Phase I was recently completed and included exterior work to the North Road Terminal, including hardening the building envelope for better protection against future…

Chief financial officer Blaise Ingoglia announces the availability of disaster funding

12/11/2025

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Blaise Ingoglia hosted a roundtable discussion alongside Trump Administration officials from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Economic Development Administration to highlight economic development funding for communities impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The roundtable discussion included Florida Secretary of Commerce Alex Kelly, CareerSource Florida President and CEO Adrienne…

Commissioners approve contracts for construction, improvements to sites on Fort Myers Beach

12/02/2025

The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to approve two construction contracts for Lynn Hall Memorial Park and Crescent Beach Family Park improvements for damages sustained by Hurricane Ian in 2022. Lynn Hall Memorial Park: The $6 million contract awarded to Wright Construction Group, Inc. includes: Replacing some ADA-accessible boardwalks, three 625-square-foot picnic shelters…

B&I Contractors announces Brian Kelly as Chief Executive Officer

12/02/2025

B&I Contractors announced Brian Kelly, currently serving as chief financial officer, has been appointed chief executive officer, effective Jan. 1, 2026. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of Brian Kelly as B&I’s new CEO,” said Jason Grabowski, current Chief Executive Officer of B&I Contractors. “His long tenure at B&I in a leadership role has…

State releases Helene and Milton recovery updates

11/29/2025

Updates While Florida and local partners lead Helene and Milton recovery, FEMA has provided more than $11 billion in grants to survivors, reimbursements to communities, and flood insurance payments. More than $1.8 billion in recovery funds have been obligated to the state to reimburse Florida communities for debris removal, critical infrastructure repairs and emergency efforts. $589.8 million has been obligated…

STARability Foundation celebrates groundbreaking on new campus

11/21/2025

STARability Foundation, an organization dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), celebrated the commencement on its new future campus located at 2655 Northbrooke Drive in Naples. The milestone was commemorated with a groundbreaking ceremony held on Nov. 19, including the special unveiling of the Golisano Program Center, a building dedicated to Tom…