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Vol. 15, No. 6 / APRIL 2022 www.swfl oridabusinesstoday.com Distributed in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Estero, Bonita Springs and Naples TAKE ONE
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Legal & Security
Experts help you navigate the most recent changes in the law that could impact your business.
Special session on insurance likely
Submitted by Jacob Ogles, Editor Special to SWFBT
The Florida Legislature wrapped up the 2022 Legislative Session, but lawmakers could end up in Tallahassee again soon. The most pressing reason may be a failure to pass property insurance reform, despite rising premiums and companies reporting $1.5 billion in losses in the last year.
“Without the governor engaging a special session, the overall market will see pretty dramatic rate increases, and we are going to continue to see consumers get hit,” said Sen. Jeff rey Brandes, R-St. Petersburg.
The Florida Senate this year passed a round of reforms that would have allowed insurance companies to write policies covering the depreciated or cash value of roofs rather than full replacement costs. It would also limit when consumers can purchase policies through the state-run Citizens Property Insurance, which has rates artifi cially kept low, as opposed to the private insurance market.
However, the House did not pass the bill. House Speaker Chris Sprowls told press during Session the state needed to see the impact of reforms passed in 2021 before tacking more changes to state law.
“If what has been told to me in the eight years I’ve been here from the insurance lobby is true, which is that it takes 18 months to see an impact in rates — which is what I’ve been told over and over and over again — then I don’t think we are yet seeing the impact we are having in rates by the bill we passed last year,” Sprowls said.
SESSION See page 5
Commercial Real Estate
A 6-page section that is a quarterly SWFL Commercial Real Estate market overview.
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TAKE ONE FOLLOW SOUTHWEST FLORIDA BUSINESS TODAY® ON: INSIDE THIS ISSUE LEE COUNTY HOSTED 2019 INTERNATIONAL TRADE SUMMIT
South American businesses visit Fort Myers Photos by Christine Brady Port Manatee Executive Director Carlos Buqueras talks about the importance of international trade to the Southwest Florida market during the Port’s first-ever stop at the Lee County Economic Development offices. Special to SWFBT Lee County was one of four host communities in Florida to welcome companies from seven countries as part of the second annual International Trade Summit. Organized by The International Trade Hub at Port Manatee, the 2019 Global Business opportunity series visited Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Bradenton/Sarasota and Tampa for one day each from Aug. 26 to 29. The Lee County Economic Development Office, Southwest Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association co-hosted the event, which was sponsored Seminole Gulf Railway. International companies from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Spain, Peru and other locales featured wine, snack food, coffee, fruits, apparel, artisanal goods, merchandise companies and state-of-the-art cooking systems during the summit. The International Trade Hub at Port Manatee, founded in 2014, serves as a vital link between markets in Florida and throughout the world. The hub provides expert advice and TRADE See page 6 An expo-style summit showcases Lee County industry to business leaders visiting from seven nations as part of the second annual International Trade Summit.
Buy any 19/20 Membership & get a $20 FORD’S GIFT CARD & ‘BLADES TOTE BAG Valid on any NEW full, voucher or select membership purchase. 10/19 7:00 10/26 7:00
Full & Flexible Ticket Packages • Merchandise Discount Discounted Parking Options • Private Parties & Exclusive Gifts Presale on Hertz Arena Concerts & Shows Eric Gall, managing partner and broker of record for Edison Avenue, a leading business brokerage and lower middle market mergers and acquisitions firm, is announcing significant changes to operations. The firm has decided to rebrand itself as “Edison Business Advisors” to better communicate added service offerings, including certified business appraisals, certified equipment appraisals and certified exit strategies.Brokerage and mergers and acquisitions efforts will continue to be led by Gall. He has over 20 years of business NIGHT OPENING NIGHT
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transaction experience totaling approximately $170 million. Gall won the 2018, 2016 and 2014 Business Brokers of Florida No. 1 Top Dollar Producer Award for Southwest Florida, beating out over 90 other business brokers. He is also an International Business Brokers Association Chairman’s Circle and Deal Maker Award winner. Eric holds a Certified Business Intermediary and Certified Mergers & Acquisitions Professional designations from the IBBA and an MBA with a concentration in finance from the University of Michigan. Assisting Gall in business transactions are Michael Pfeffer, Steven Niehaus, Edward Valaitis and Phillip Reda.Pfeffer joins Edison Business Advisors with over 20 years of business transaction experience, including 12 years as a business brokerage franchise owner in Southwest Florida. Pfeffer is a Board Certified Intermediary, Certified Edison Business Advisors poised for growth EDISON See page 6 SALUTE TO ENTREPRENEURS Gall
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Hoffmann Family buys Hertz Arena, Everblades
25 suites, two additional ice rinks, a private club and a pub, Breakaway Sports Pub. The arena is also home to the Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles club hockey team of the American Collegiate Hockey Association.
“We are optimistic that all of the 330 employees will remain with the Hoffmann Family of Companies,” said Craig Brush, Florida Everblades President and General Manager, who signed a five-year contract and has a commitment from all his senior staff to remain in place.
“We are thrilled to be acquired by such a prestigious company. Our partnership with the Hertz Corporation and now this new ownership ensures that Hertz Arena will maintain our strong community presence and continue to be the number one choice for entertainment in Southwest Florida.”
The team and the arena were previously owned by Peter Karmanos, founder of Compuware Corporation and prior majority owner of the Carolina Hurricanes in the National Hockey League.
“Simply put, without the support of
EVERBLADES See page 6
Holly Bell addresses citrus growers about the 25,000-plus uses for industrial hemp, which can now be grown legally in Florida
Cannabis chief promises rich stash for hemp growers
Bell spoke in August at theCitrus Expo and Vegetable and Specialty Crop Expo, where growers from around the region gathered to hear her discuss this new and just recently legal product to diversify their inventory.
Just a few years ago, there were no legal reasons to grow cannabis in Florida. Now, medical marijuana dispensaries pop up in more shopping centers each week. Soon, farmers will grow non-narcotic hemp crops.
With the 2018 federal farm bill allowing hemp to grow, a budding industry will soon emerge in Florida. The Legislature this year authorized a pilot program for growing hemp in the Sunshine State, and state officials are nearly done weeding through a stack of public suggestions.
HEMP See page 5
GrowFL announces statewide honorees
GrowFL announced this year’s 50 Florida Companies to Watch honorees, including three from Southwest Florida. Companies to Watch is a statewide competition that identifies companies expected to see significant growth over the next several years.
The GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch awards program—now in its ninth year—honors 50 select second-stage companies from throughout Florida for developing valuable products and services, creating quality jobs, enriching communities, and broadening new industries throughout Florida. Chosen from 500 growing second-stage nominations from throughout, Florida, the 50 companies named as the 2019 Florida Companies to Watch honorees generated nearly $1 billion in revenue and added over 900 jobs between 2015 and 2018. Together, the honorees project a 35 percent increase in revenue and 37 percent increase in job growth in 2019 compared to 2018.
“These stand-out companies are all led by entrepreneurs, and have demonstrated their capacity and intent to grow,” said Dr. Tom O’Neal, GrowFL executive director. “They also all have critical intellectual property or a niche position that gives them a competitive edge in their markets,” he said.
Local honorees include: Cottrell Title & Escrow, Collier County; Mettauer Environmental, Lee County; and VeraData, Lee County .
“This list recognizes second-stage Florida companies with passionate leaders who are making a difference in growing and diversifying our economy,” said Jennifer Barrows, GrowFL Chairman of the GrowFL Advisory Board and Business Development Executive with WithumSmith+Brown, PC. Second-stage companies are those
GROWFL See page 10
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SOUTHWEST FLORIDA’S B2B MARKETPLACE • 239-573-9732 Distributed in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Estero, Bonita Springs and Naples Vol. 12 No. 10 / AUGUST 2019 www.swfloridabusinesstoday.com TAKE ONE ®
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FOLLOW SOUTHWEST FLORIDA BUSINESS TODAY® ON:IMMOKALEE FOUNDATION HOSTS SHARK TANK COMPETITION
Commercial Real Estate A specially focused monthly section exploring the SWFL com-mercial real estate marketplace. IN THE NEWS Collier names Pelican Wire as ‘Business of the Month’
During the July 9 Collier County Commission meeting, Pelican Wire was named the Collier County ‘Business of the Month’ and was recognized by the Board for being a manufacturing leader in Collier County for over 40 years.Pelican Wire President Ted Bill, who received the award, said “We are truly honored to be named the Collier County ‘Business of the Month’ for July. Since moving AWARD See page 4
Gov. DeSantis announces job growth grants Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and Enterprise Florida are accepting economic development project proposals for the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund. $40 million is available to fund job training and public infrastructure projects that support growth and employment in Florida.“We know the importance infrastructure projects and workforce training has on economic develop-ment,” said DeSantis. “The Florida Job Growth Grant Fund will help Florida communities ensure they GRANTS See page 12 SEASON, SELECT & VOUCHER MEMBERSHIPS Buy Any 19/20 Membership Pack & Get A $20 FORD’S GIFT CARD & ‘BLADES TOTE BAG Payment Plans Available • Discounted Parking Options • Private Parties & Exclusive Gifts Merchandise Discount • Presale on Hertz Arena Concerts & Family Shows Valid on any NEW full, voucher or select membership purchase.
more inclusive city.Student Hailey Countryman asked the Mayor if he had a team of advisors on diversity whom he could rely on for guidance. Since the answer to that question was no, at that moment Henderson felt inspired to create just such a team. Ndiang’ui wanted to make sure the Mayor was prepared for the road ahead and asked him, “Are you really able to handle the truth?” The project moved forward. Beth Countryman, Hailey’s mother, became involved with the project, whichled to a $25,000 donation from
Special to SWFBT Submitted By: Noemi Y. Perez Southwest Florida students in The Immokalee Foundation’s business-themed summer camp recently shared their entrepreneurial ideas and garnered awards during a Shark Tank event modeled after the popular TV show. The four-week Business Management Pathway camp was a partnership between the foundation and Florida Gulf Coast University’s Institute for Entrepreneurship. Students developed business plans that solved problems common among them: finding clothes on a budget; handling studentcentric finances; getting better sleep; planning a quincea-ñera; and finding restaurants suitable for people with restricted diets. Student teams gave presentations about their target audiences, startup costs, projected profits, marketing plans and other aspects of entrepreneurial enterprises at iTECH in Immokalee. Judges for the presentations were: Brian Rist, The Smart Companies executive chairman; Sofia Blanno, The Smart Companies intern; and Matthew Turner, Hertz direc-tor of corporate social responsibility. First place awards of $500 each went to the Swap & Shop team of Neika Exulus, Jessica Sales, Alondra Estrada, Daisy Montanez and Ailynee Ramirez. Aimed at students interested in dressing fashionably on a budget, the proher employer, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, to FGCU’s College of Education. In a recent interview she said, “We can’t really say we are trying to be representative of our city’s residents and community if we don’t have diversity on the council itself.” She explained the committee drew its 18 members from the commu-nity, representing diversity in race, ethnicity, gender and sexual iden-tity. “We can’t be a committee made up of old white men and think we are going to be in charge of diversity.” Fort Myers Mayor launches Diversity Committee DIVERSITY See page 11
Young entrepreneurs share ideas, earn awards Dr. Sandra Kauanui (left) and Noemi Y. Perez (right) with - TIF Shark Tank winners Swap & Shop team- Neika Exulus, Ailynee Ramirez, Jessica Sales, Daisy Montanez, Alondra Estrada Dr. Sandra Kauanui, FGCU Director of Entrepreneurship, spoke during the event. gram allows shoppers to arrange to buy, sell or swap items through an app, then physically exchange those items at a central location in Immokalee. MentorUs, an app that encourages students to make smart financial decisions, earned second place of $250 each for team members Alex Soriano, Je’an Espinoza, Myrland-ie Etienne, Azael Simon-Quirino and Simson Devesaint. SHARK See page 5
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CELEBRATING THE GRAND OPENING OF STEMLAB
Photo by IMAG History & Science Center Bubbling concoctions, smoldering caldrons and exploding fl owers are just some of the fun kids enjoyed at the STEMLab science shows.
Science exploration available at Miromar Outlets
STEMLab celebrated its grand opening on Feb. 17. Inspired by the IMAG History & Science Center of Fort Myers, STEMLab is a vibrant and imaginative space, located at Miromar Outlets, designed for the whole family to enrich their experiences and understanding of science, technology, engineering and math.
In attendance at the ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebration were: Jeff rey Staner, vice president of Miromar Outlets; Matt Johnson, IMAG executive director; IMAG History & Science Center Board of Directors and staff ; and the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce. In
STEM See page 2
IN THE NEWS IMPORTANT BUSINESS NOTES
SWFL labor force up more than 24,000 over the year
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Southwest Florida’s labor force has increased by more than 24,568 over the year.
The Fort Myers area labor force in January 2022 grew by 15,850 over the year, a 4.5% increase, and the Naples area labor force increased by 8,718 over the year, a 4.9% increase.
The Fort Myers area private sector employment grew by 12,700 jobs over the year, an increase of 5.4%. The industry gaining the most jobs over the year was leisure and hospitality, increasing by 3,600 jobs.
The unemployment rate in the
JOB See page 13 Paycheck Protection Program
Loan Taxation
To receive loan forgiveness so you will not be taxed on the loan, you must complete the simple application and receive approval. Contact your PPP lender ASAP for more info. Economic Injury Disaster Loan
The Small Business Administration is still accepting applications for COVID-19 EIDL loan increases only (not new applications), only if you qualify. Call the SBA at (833) 853-5638. SWFBT Mail Deliveries
SWFBT newspaper mail deliveries recently experienced some disruption. Email publisher@swfl oridabusinesstoday.com if this has been your experience and you would like to continue receiving the newspaper in the mail.
