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We’re All Business
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA’S BUSINESS VOICE • 239-573-9732 Vol. 9 No. 11 / SEPTEMBER 2016 www.swfloridabusinesstoday.com
IN THE NEWS
Distributed in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Estero, Bonita Springs and Naples
TAKE ONE
— Steve Bray, Dry Zone FOLLOW SOUTHWEST FLORIDA BUSINESS TODAY ON:
SWFL PROFESSIONALS GAIN INSIGHT INTO HIGH-TECH MEDICAL TESTING
SBA launches website to streamline app process
SBA has launched certify. sba.gov, a new website to further streamline and improve the application processes for small businesses and entrepreneurs seeking to do business with the federal government. SBA South Florida District Director Francisco “Pancho” Marrero said the state has almost 5,000 women-owned small business firms registered for federal government contracting. “There are 4,889 firms registered, and of those 3,472 are designated as WOSB (women-owned small businesses) or ED-WOSB in the SBA’s contracting program,” he said. SBA’s contracting application and certification process for women-owned small businesses is now completely accessible online. SBA See page 5
Babcock Ranch issued its first housing permits
Photos by Jim Jett Fort Myers-based NeoGenomics, Inc. is a certified clinical laboratory that specializes in cancer genetics diagnostic testing--the fastest growing segment of the laboratory industry.
NeoGenomics showcases its high-tech lab
The Community Development Department issued the first four permits for new homes in the Babcock Ranch development on Aug. 11. The four permits are for model homes ranging in size from 1,955 to 2,660 square feet of living area. It is anticipated that construction will begin almost immediately on these homes. Babcock Ranch plans to develop approximately 17,900 dwelling units, 1.4 million square feet of retail space, 3.5 million square feet of office space, 700,000 square feet of industrial space as well as other ancillary uses. The project site contains 13,630 acres.
On August 10, local business professionals toured the NeoGenomics Laboratories, a cancer diagnostic reference lab providing high-quality cancer testing and partnership programs for pathologists and oncologists for more than a decade. The tour was sponsored by BioFlorida’s Southwest Chapter. BioFlorida represents nearly 6000 entities in the biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical technology and bioagriculture. Speakers included Robert J. Shovlin, Chief Growth Officer, NeoGenomics Laboratories; Dieter Kondek, CEO & President, insulinNG LLC; Nancy K. Bryan, President & CEO, BioFlorida.
Noela Chocolate garners William O. Webb Award
Craft brewery gets community involved
The Florida Small Business Development Center at Florida Gulf Coast University has awarded Ande and Shane Grant, owners of Noela Chocolate and Confections, the 2016 William O. Webb Award. Proceeds from the fund each year provide support to a small business owner in Southwest Florida who is working with the Small Business Development Center. The recipient receives a $1,000 to help them grow their business. The Grants handcraft their chocolates in small batches from their factory in Cape Coral using natural spices, juices and organic nuts as well as carefully selected fairtrade certified chocolate suppliers. The name Noela is a combined joining of their two sons names, Noah and Elijah.
Ani Farrell and Doug Vanoort
View more pictures from the event on Page 8. Dieter Kondek and Robert Shovlin
The first craft brewery in downtown Fort Myers kicked off its crowdfunding campaign Aug. 9 with the opportunity for four funders to receive free beer for life. Millennial Brewing Co.’s capital fundraising movement is to boost the launch of the community-driven, master craft brewery that will open its doors in October in a 6,300-square-foot former warehouse at 1811 Royal Palm Ave. Interested supporters can visit https:// igg.me/at/millennial and choose from 22 levels of rewards, including a $2,500 contribution that features four complimentary kegs of a Millennial Brewing craft beer every year for life. Two lifetime memberships are also available with a $4,000 buyin that offers 48 pints of beer every year and weekly 64-ounce growler fills forever, among other perks. Funding levels start at $10. BREWERY See page 9
Logan Roberts, left, and Kyle Cebull will open Millennial Brewing Co. in downtown Fort Myers in October. They are renovating a warehouse that will house their entire operation.