Tamiami Angel Funds invests in high-tech 3D printing firm

Angel investors from Southwest Florida raised capital for M Aerospace RTC so the company can grow its high-tech 3D printer business for the aerospace, health care and auto industries.

Members of Tamiami Angel Fund IV invested $420,000 in M Aerospace RTC, helping the company expand its manufacturing space and grow sales. “M Aerospace has developed the world’s first affordable large-format 3D printer, giving the firm a significant edge over the competition,” said Timothy Cartwright, partner of Fifth Avenue Family Office and chairman of Tamiami Angel Funds.

Austin, Texas-based M Aerospace manufactures large 3D printers eight feet tall by eight feet wide to make high-precision metal and plastic parts. The company also provides contract manufacturing for clients who are considering buying the $150,000 printer. A 3D printer allows manufacturers to be more efficient because unique parts can be easily designed and created using sophisticated software.

M Aerospace’s 3D printers cost 50% less than the competition, said in and spend time working independently on projects. They spend a lot of time on job sites getting hands-on experience but also work with mentors in our estimating and project management departments. These young professionals are welcomed unreservedly and almost immediately become part of the fabric of BCB Homes.”

Juan Carlos Munguia, CEO and cofounder. “We’re seeing huge demand for our printer business and this funding will help us nearly double our production capacity,” he notes.

An aeronautical engineer, Munguia developed 3D printing programs for aerospace companies prior to forming M Aerospace in 2018 with two co-founders in Mexico. The company moved its headquarters to Texas last year to be closer to investors and clients while maintaining its manufacturing facility in Mexico.

In addition to funds to expand the business, Munguia said he’s keen to tap into the knowledge and experience of the members of Tamiami Angel Funds, many of whom have extensive backgrounds in manufacturing. “With their expertise they’ll help us take our company to the next level,” Munguia said.

Naples-based Tamiami Angel Funds are member-managed funds that allow high-net-worth individuals and families to invest in promising early stage and expansion-stage companies located in the U.S., with a preference to those in the state of Florida.

Upon completion of the year-long Career Pathway Program, BCB Homes often offers participants the opportunity to obtain a full-time position based on their experience, preference and professional fit with the company.

The Career Pathway Program was started in 2021 by Bill McCollum, chief estimator at BCB Homes. “The idea was to find a way to improve the labor force within our market knowing that there was a demand for individuals in the construction industry,” McCollum said. “We had to figure out a way to attract young adults coming out of high school and college that may not have a true career direction and how we could better assist them and provide opportunities within the industry.

“Once the program was set in motion. The goal was to provide exposure to all aspects within the company including estate management, field experience as a superintendent, estimating/preconstruction, and project management. We provide the exposure, and they decide on the path.”

Junior Achievement awarded Community Foundation grant

Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida recently received a $5,000 grant from The Community Foundation (formerly the Cape Coral Community Foundation) to provide workforce readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy programming in Cape Coral schools.

“Generous donors make it possible for us to help provide students with the skills and knowledge to succeed in their careers and in life,” said Angela Fisher, president and CEO of Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida. “JA offers students the opportunity to network with local business leaders who guide lessons, mentor, inspire young people, and share insight and experiences while serving as role models. Programs like JA Inspire wouldn’t be possible without the support of grants like this one from The Community Foundation and its generous donors.”

Middle and high school students in Cape Coral will be better prepared for their transition into adulthood and the working world with a higher rate of success as the result of JA programs supported by the Community Foundation grant. JA work readiness programs include JA Inspire, JA Career Connect, JA Career Exploration Fairs, JA It’s My Future, JA Career Success, JA Job Shadows, JA Career Speaker Series, and JA Economics for Success. Alumni of these programs have a track record of earning a college degree, having confidence in managing money, and achieving career success. Many have started their own business.

According to President and CEO Michael Chatman, education and connection are the keys to fulfilling The Community Foundation’s directive to become the Global Center for Generosity.

“Giving isn’t just about writing checks. It’s about relationships and advocating for people and organizations that are doing good in the world, as well as those who want to help them. That’s why Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida is a perfect fit for a Community Foundation grant,” Chatman said.

It is all about the money

Can you sell a property today you bought 15 years ago, knowing then you would make five to 10 times your investment?

The problem is, you may not have any more buying power today than you did with the money you spent 15 years ago. Your sale price may be high, but did you win?

will? Stay at or near the bottom of the financial food chain unless you can increase your talents to get to a much higher pay level.

GMA Architects & Planners completed work for Shops on Pine Island, a multi-tenant commercial center in Cape Coral.

GMA completes Shops on Pine Island in Cape Coral

GMA Architects & Planners completed work for Shops on Pine Island, a multi-tenant commercial center in Cape Coral.

The Shops on Pine Island project consists of two grey-shell buildings totaling 23,790 square feet at the northwest corner of Del Prado Boulevard and Pine Island Road. This sector of Pine Island Road has experienced a recent boom in development at the hightraffic intersection, which serves as the traditional north-to-south connector through the city.

GMA Architects & Planners’ design features clean, modern lines and undulating facades that present a refreshing contrast to the surrounding traditional strip mall and national chain architecture. Building A is an 11,790-squarefoot space envisioned to house five retail or restaurant spaces varying in size from 1,400 to 3,750 square feet and includes an exterior covered patio. Its 12,000-square-foot sister, Building B, anticipates another four retail spaces ranging from 1,600 to 4,500 square feet. The entrances to both buildings include inviting shaded colonnades. Tenants of the center include Firehouse Subs, First Watch and Mission BBQ, among others.

GMA Architects & Planners’ partners on the project included Thompson Thrift as developer and Heatherwood Construction as contractor.

The amount of money from yesterday is not an absolute number. Government policies over the last 100 years have continued to devalue our currency.

I’ve witnessed the extent of how buying power has changed during my lifetime. What you bought for $100 in 1952 would have a price tag of $1,000 today. McDonald’s is a great example. In 1961, I could buy a much better hamburger plus a large chocolate shake for 35 cents (15 cents for the burger and 20 cents for the real hand dipped ice cream shake)!

In 1952, minimum wage was 75 cents an hour and the median price of a home was $7,354. Today in Florida, minimum wage is $11 an hour, and the median price of a house is $385,800. It’s all relative. Or is it? Florida has raised minimum wage from $8.65 to $11, a 27% increase, in the last two years. But is minimum wage in step with the escalating cost of living? Have you been to the grocery store lately? And what about real estate that has nearly doubled in price in three years. I can’t think of anything that hasn’t increased by at least 30% during that time. The house we purchased for $495,000 in 2017 is valued at $1,100,000 today.

The question is, regardless of incremental increases on both sides of the scales over the years, has anyone making minimum wage ever been able to balance their scales with the evergrowing cost of living? The answer is never. But why?

The government has a vested interest in perpetually inflating the currency— paying yesterday’s bills with tomorrow’s money. Sadly, leaders are well aware inflation hits the lowest income earners the hardest, which apparently is of no concern to them as long as they get what they want.

What can a renter do when rents are increasing faster than wages ever

BY RANDY KRISE Guest Columnist

Inflation isn’t going anywhere and combating the cost of living is ongoing, so what’s the answer for the savvy investor?

I bought my first property for $23,000. I didn’t have that kind of money in my pocket, but I wanted it badly enough to get creative. I could see the potential for that piece of land even then. It was a risk I am happy I took. I held it for 26 years and sold it for $890,000. Was that really that much of a win? Depends on how you look at it. That $23,000 was a lot of money back then, especially for a young man just starting out in the investment world. But even with the long hold, it proves one thing; real estate is a great hedge against inflation.

If you are smart, develop a good eye and think outside of the box, you can buy the right property and be ahead of the curve at the end of the day. Is it a risk? Always. Everything in life worth having is. But you will always have that asset to grow when the right time comes along.

When’s the right time? Your best teachers are watching and waiting, talking to the right people who have done it (I’m always available), and experience. You can’t become an investor without investing, any more than you can become a swimmer without jumping into the water. Knowledge is an asset that no one can take from you. Only solid investments will help you keep up with inflation and maintain or increase your standard of living. At a minimum, own your home. Real estate is a vehicle that will put you on the road to equity in life.

Randy Krise, CCIM is the broker/owner of Krise Commercial Group in Fort Myers Florida. He can be reached at (239) 633-8672 or Randy@krisecg. com.