September 2024 Southwest Florida Business Today

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE MARKET

A look at commercial real estate trends & topics in Southwest Florida

COLLIER COUNTY TOURISM

Focus on Manufacturing

Area companies are building a better future — one made right here in Southwest Florida.

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A specially focused monthly section exploring the SWFL commercial real estate marketplace.

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COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

What do the numbers say about the impact of tourism?

Submitted by Karen P. Moore, Publisher

Special to SWFBT

“So what is the impact on the Collier County resident who doesn’t work in tourism? When this person says ‘OK, what does tourism do for me?’ What I can say is ‘It saves you on your taxes. It saves over $1500 in taxes each year per resident-property taxes, sales taxes, etc.’”

--- Joseph St. Germain, President of Downs & St. Germain Research

The Collier County Visitors Bureau hosted its annual strategic marketing workshop, where Joseph St. Germain, president of Downs & St. Germain Research, shared the hard numbers regarding the impact of tourism on the county’s economy.

“Economic impact was almost $3.6 billion in fiscal year 2023. That’s billion with a ‘b.’ And that comes from $2.5 billion in direct spending,” he said. “That’s over 2.6 million visitors, almost 2.5 million room nights.

“But, OK, what do these big numbers really mean? It means jobs: almost 29,000 jobs are supported by the hospitality industry in Collier County. And it’s not just jobs in hospitality. It’s accountants, construction, researchers.

“Why this is important? It helps everyone in this community, not just folks in this room. When you get your property tax bill there isn’t that line item that says tourism saved me this much money. Therefore, this is one of those messages that has to be carried by the people here today, from those working in the Collier County tourism industry, out to the community.”

Fort Myers Chamber honors business leaders at annual awards event

The Greater Fort Myers Chamber recognized local businesses and leaders at this year’s annual Chamber Awards, held July 25 at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center in downtown Fort Myers.

The program celebrated the installation of the Chamber’s 2024-25 board of directors, recognized the 2023’24 committee chairs and featured an award ceremony, check presentation from the Women in Business committee and a gourmet dinner to honor the businesses and community leaders as finalists in a variety of awards categories before naming the overall winners.

“We are honored to recognize near-

IN THE NEWS

in relief funding

Fort Myers has been awarded $1,072,824 from Lee County Commissioners for Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery funding as part of ongoing Hurricane Ian recovery and resiliency projects. The Lee County Commission approved the execution of the written agreement with

AWARD See page 4

$20 million is available through Rural Infrastructure Fund

FloridaCommerce announced $20 million in funding is available for Florida rural communities through the Rural Infrastructure Fund.

The program facilitates the planning, preparation, and financing of infrastructure projects in rural communities to encourage job creation, capital investment and strengthening

ly two dozen finalists for their collective contributions that support our vision to make our community the best place to live, work and raise a family,” said Robert Goltz, CEO of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber. “The past few years have been extremely challenging for businesses, and we are thrilled to celebrate everything our community, finalists and winners have achieved.”

The Chamber Awards recognized a recipient in each of the following categories:

• Small Business of the Year: Face It Botox. Owned by Ryann Lavenia, Face It Botox features

CHAMBER See page 22

rural economies. Since 2019, more than $87 million for 121 projects has been awarded through the Rural Infrastructure Fund, supporting successful rural communities.

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ 2024-2025

Focus on Florida’s Future budget included $15 million for RIF statewide funding and $5 million dedicated to Panhandle counties continuing to recover following Hurricane Michael.

RURAL See page 4

BUSINESS

While a SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) is not forgivable, business owners can quickly and easily find out if they are eligible for a Hardship Accommodation by calling (800) 659-2955 or by signing into their account and going to the Hardship Accommodation link for more information.

Ryan Carter of Scotlynn (2nd from left) won Entrepreneur of the Year at the Greater Fort Myers Chamber Awards. Scotlynn was also honored as Large Business of the Year.

Tourists from around the globe flock to Collier County destinations. For more on Collier County tourism, read the “Tourism boost delivers area gains” column on Page 21.

TOURISM See page 21

Expo at Babcock Ranch to showcase area businesses

The Biz @ BR Business Expo, a free-to-attend gathering of local businesses and entrepreneurs, will be held on Sept. 28 at the Babcock Ranch Field House.

The event will run from 4 to 7 p.m. and promises an evening filled with plenty of opportunities to connect to businesses.

This year’s Business Expo will showcase Babcock Ranch’s local businesses. Attendees will have the chance to explore vendor booths featuring everything from cutting-edge products to essential services.

Event highlights:

• Food: Savor the flavors of Babcock Ranch with a variety of food truck options available throughout the event.

• Music: Enjoy a festive atmosphere with live music that adds rhythm to the evening.

• Networking Opportunities: Meet local business owners, entrepreneurs, and community members. For those looking to become vendors, this opportunity is exclusively available to Biz @ BR Members and businesses within Babcock Ranch. It’s a chance to showcase a business to a supportive local audience eager to engage with the community.

SRMA MEMBER

Building the future of lighting with Energy Harness

Integrity plus quality equals the perfect product. This philosophy drives Energy Harness as it builds the future of LED lighting through innovation and quality while delivering long lasting efficiency. By controlling every aspect of their production, from design to manufacturing, they ensure that their products meet the highest standards and offer unmatched reliability.

Versatility

Energy Harness’s diverse product line allows them to address virtually any commercial lighting need. From classrooms to office spaces and medical facilities to warehouses, they deliver every type of indoor and outdoor LED light.

Whether designing a custom lighting solution or conducting a comprehensive site lighting assessment, the team is equipped to diagnose and meet unique requirements. They excel in crafting custom cre -

ations, ensuring each client receives a solution tailored to their specific situation.

Quality

Energy Harness emphasizes quality in every product because lighting is a critical component of any environment. Their commitment to American-made craftsmanship is evident in the durability and reliability of their offerings. Moreover, their customer support reflects the same dedication to excellence, reinforcing their reputation as a trusted provider.

Efficiency

Efficiency is at the core of Energy Harness’s innovation. Their LED products have been proven to reduce lighting costs by up to 75%, offering significant savings to businesses and homeowners alike. With a lifespan exceeding 50,000 hours, these lights also minimize maintenance

Energy Harness is building the future of LED lighting through innovation and quality while delivering long lasting efficiency.

costs, making them a cost-effective and sustainable choice.

Energy Harness is not just manufacturing lights; they are illuminating a path toward a more sustainable, energy-efficient future. Their dedication to versatility, quality and efficiency is transforming the way we think about lighting, ensuring

SRMA MEMBER

that the future is brighter for everyone.

Established In 2010, Energy Harness Corporation specializes in manufacturing and distributing high-quality commercial LED lighting nationwide. Contact (239) 7903300 or sales@energyharness.com.

Instrument update highlights HF commitment to continuous improvement

Water quality is a critical global concern with far-reaching impacts on human health, as well as the health of our entire ecosystem. That is why early detection of pollutants and contaminants in our water supply is an essential part of water quality management.

Fort Myers-based HF scientific, a Watts brand, is a leading global producer of instrumentation, test kits and chemical reagents used for monitoring water quality in various applications.

An important key to the company’s success is its commitment to continuous improvement. At HF scientific and throughout the Watts brand, continuous improvement is reflected in the culture, strategy and process through a standardized global system of tools, plans and behaviors.

A great example is the evolution of the company’s CLX Online Chlorine Analyzer, which accurately measures free or total residual chlorine levels at municipalities and on ships throughout the world.

While the function of the product is the same, HF scientific replaced dated “legacy” components with new user selectable features and innovative design that distinguished the new CLX analyzer from the competition.

“At HF scientific, our goal with continuous improvement is to achieve optimal performance in all that we do – people, processes and products, and

BY CURTIS BURKS Guest Columnist

that includes ramping up all the products in our portfolio to modern standards,” said Jasson Toledo, sustaining engineering supervisor at HF scientific.

“We looked at the industry trends and best of other solutions available, including our own MCX (Monochloramine Instrument), then applied those to the new CLX. Previously, connections on the board required a lot of soldering and now everything is plug and play for our customers, resulting in faster data with the highest reliability.”

New features include an updated full-color user interface keypad, updated front panel, a USB port and hardware/software design. It uses an integrated, real-time MCU, enabling the CLX to deliver better performance and higher power capacity. A flowthrough design maintains cuvette cleanliness which reduces maintenance time and allows for viewing of optical operations. The strong, shatterproof case that opens to facilitate reagent replacement also allows easy access to all service functions. Water treatment plants such as Bonita Springs Utilities in Southwest Florida are already leveraging the new CLX with high accuracy and fewer support requirements.

Florida SouthWestern State College deploys ZeroEyes’ AI gun detection platform across its four campuses

ZeroEyes, the creators of the only AI-based gun detection video analytics platform that holds the Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act Designation, announced its AI gun detection and intelligent situational awareness solution has been deployed by Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) to mitigate gun-related violence.

ZeroEyes has been implemented across all four FSW campuses, protecting 16,000 students and nearly 1,000 faculty and staff First established in 1962, FSW’s main campus is located in Fort Myers, with satellite campuses in Punta Gorda and Naples and a center in LaBelle. FSW maintains its own Campus Police Department, which is committed to providing a safe, secure and orderly environment so that learning, working, and administrative operations can excel.

“FSW is leading the charge in innovative security technology to ensure the safety of our community, and ZeroEyes plays a crucial role,” said Jerry Connolly, FSWPD Chief of Police. “ZeroEyes can proactively identify and alert us to a gun-related threat before any shots are fired, expediting emergency response and potentially saving lives.”

“The ongoing threat of gun violence in the U.S. compels us to maximize safety measures, especially given the open nature of our campus,” said Dr. Gina Doeble, FSW Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “With thousands attending our special events, concerts, and athletic pro-

“The ongoing threat of gun violence in the U.S. compels us to maximize safety measures, especially given the open nature of our campus,”

—

Dr. Gina Doeble, FSW Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

grams, we must do everything possible to protect them. We are proud to integrate ZeroEyes as an additional layer of security.”

ZeroEyes’ AI gun detection and intelligent situational awareness software layers onto existing digital security cameras. If a gun is identified, images are instantly shared with our ZeroEyes Operations Center (ZOC), the industry’s only U.S.-based, fully in-house operation center, which is staffed around the clock by specially trained military and law enforcement veterans. If these experts determine that the threat is valid, they dispatch alerts and actionable intelligence — including visual description, gun type, and last known location — to local law enforcement and school staff as quickly as 3 to 5 seconds from detection.

“We commend Florida Southwestern State College for their proactive approach to security,” said Mike Lahiff, CEO and co-founder of ZeroEyes. “Their commitment to safety sets a standard for higher ed institutions nationwide.”

“To ensure optimal water quality for more than 75,000 residents of the City of Bonita Springs and Village of Estero, our water treatment plant operators follow FDEP and EPA standards, which require accurate, consistent monitoring,” said David Rodriguez with Bonita Springs Utilities, a not-forprofit water and wastewater cooperative in Bonita Springs.

“We treat and produce an average of 10,222,000 gallons of water every day. As trusted gatekeepers, we rely on advanced technologies that are reliable and easy to use. With its new updated design and easy-to-use interface, the CLX is our trusted source for reliability for measuring free or total chlorine in our water supply.”

Bonita Springs Utilities is one of many HF scientific customers now using the updated CLX and directly benefiting from the company’s commitment to continuous improvement.

“Not only are our customers finding great value in the updated features, but the product has allowed our team to greatly streamline the manufacturing process, too,” Toledo said. “In fact, we were able to reduce assembly time by over 50%! The journey of the CLX is truly a testament to our company’s commitment to our clients and the community.”

Curtis B. Burks is operations leader at HF Scientific. Contact (888) 203-7248.

AWARD PAGE 1

the city of Fort Myers at the County Commission meeting.

In 2023, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced Lee County received $1,107,881,000 in funding to support long-term recovery efforts following Hurricane Ian through the Office of Disaster Recovery (ODR) within the Office of Community Planning and Development.

“We recognize the urgent need for continued opportunities to build back after Hurricane Ian, especially in the areas of housing, economic recovery, critical infrastructure and public facilities,” said Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson. “The City remains committed to the region’s overall recovery planning process, redevelopment and sustainability efforts.”

Fort Myers submitted an application for funding in February 2024 to support recovery in the areas of the Stormwater Master Plan, Comprehensive Plan and the Threats, Hazards, Incidents and Risk Assessment. A total request of $1,222,824 was originally submitted to support city project priorities.

“The City is grateful for this award as we continue to rebuild post-Ian,” said Jessica McElwee, Grants and Special Projects Director for the city.

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Florida Supply Chain Summit set for Sept. 9-11

PortMiami will host the 5th Florida Supply Chain Summit, where top government officials, industry leaders and key professional organizations will showcase the latest developments in manufacturing, trade and logistics.

Set for Sept. 9 to 11, sessions will cover: news from Florida’s top five deepwater ports; business opportunities within the state’s cruise industry; and how Florida is continuing to emerge as a hub for business in space.

A panel discussion, “Florida’s Space Commerce,” will be moderated by Lt. General (Ret.) David Buck, president of BRPH Mission Solutions, a company that has been engineering and designing solutions on the state’s Space Coast since 1964.

“By facilitating and strengthening partnerships within the trade and logistics industry, the Florida Supply Chain Summit provides an invaluable platform for collaboration among key representatives from industry, government and academia,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.

“This summit is crucial for addressing industry challenges, embracing emerging trends, and fostering workforce development — all of which

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are vital for the continued growth and success of PortMiami and the broader supply chain sector in our state. PortMiami has played a key role in overcoming recent supply chain challenges, showcasing its resilience and innovation. The visit by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg highlighted the importance of our port in not only supporting our local economy but also in ensuring the stability and efficiency of our national supply chain.”

The program will be held on alternate days at PortMiami’s Cruise Terminal D and Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay. Other highlights include a luncheon keynote speech at the cruise terminal Tuesday, Sept. 10, by Rogue Valley Microdevices Founder and CEO Jessica Gomez, the first woman in the U.S. to lead a company supported by the CHIPS Act. The act, signed by President Joe Biden in 2022, aims to help rebuild the nation’s semiconductor industry.

Following Gomez’s presentation, Quant CEO Deb Friar will host a panel

MANUFACTURING

of top technology minds to discuss how artificial intelligence (AI) is streamlining – and transforming - Florida’s supply chain using machine learning, deep learning and other AI technologies.

Organizers are expecting hundreds of attendees to also hear presentations by Max Baxa, President and CEO of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals International, and to learn from a panel hosted by The Hackett Group Principal Chris Sawchuk on “Innovations and Insights in Florida’s Retail and Distribution Supply Chains.”

The summit is being organized by a steering committee that includes representatives from FloridaMakes, the U.S. Commerce Service, Florida Atlantic University, the University of South Florida and the ports in Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, the Everglades and Miami.

“The summit’s mission is to advance Florida as a global trade hub,” said Hydi Webb, director and CEO of PortMiami. “It aligns seamlessly with our own goal of operating the state’s top container port and the world’s leading cruise port in a sustainable manner.”

Building a solution to fulfill an unmet need

In 2006, my father, Terry Sr., and I were frustrated with the local ready-mix companies. After owning a local concrete contracting business for more than a decade, we were tired of seeing smaller contractors and builders being neglected by the larger ready-mix providers.

My father and I redirected our dissatisfaction into building a solution. The concept of Drake Ready Mix was born with one primary mission: to operate around the needs of the everyday ready-mix concrete customer.

Nearly 20 years later, what once was a 10-employee team has expanded to over 100 employees, with staff nearly doubling in the past four years alone. Our family-ownedand-operated company recently expanded operations with a new 10-acre, state-of-the-art production facility in Fort Myers, where we now produce over 350,000 cubic yards of concrete annually.

Manufacturing and delivering ready-mix concrete to residential, commercial and municipal projects of all sizes, Drake Ready Mix meets the needs of local, state and national contractors, builders and developers who build in Lee, Collier, Hendry and Charlotte counties. Projects range from residential projects, commercial multi-level structural elements, foundations and parking lots to loading docks, retaining walls and water treatment plants.

BY TERRY DRAKE Guest Columnist

With a fleet of more than 100 trucks, Drake Ready Mix specializes in batching and mixing higher quality concrete ready-mix and utilizing consecutive truck deployments for a seamless pour. This streamlined approach provides a quality finish while maximizing efficiency and reducing labor costs for customers.

With an emphasis on integrity, quality and reliability, we offer more than 100 custom concrete ready mixes using top-of-the-line DOT-certified materials and 2,500-10,000+ PSI mixes for longlasting durability.

As a local ready-mix company with greater than 150 years of combined industry experience, along with innovative and environmentally friendly processes, we at Drake Ready Mix provide our customers with high-quality concrete, superior customer service and value-oriented, reliable results.

Terry Drake, Jr. is the president and founding partner of Drake Ready Mix. Contact (239) 590-9199 or visit DrakeReadyMix.com.

or email: publisher@ swfloridabusinesstoday.com

RURAL PAGE 1

These include Calhoun, Gadsden, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty and Washington counties.

Eligible projects include improvements to public infrastructure for industrial or commercial sites, upgrades to or development of public tourism infrastructure, and improvements to inadequate infrastructure that has resulted in regulatory action prohibiting economic or community growth.

Applications will be accepted through Sept. 16.

Don’t forget to post your in-person and virtual events on our B2B events calendar at www.swfloridabusinesstoday. com/calendar

Immokalee Foundation shines spotlight on area leaders

As an organization tasked with preparing Southwest Florida’s future leaders, The Immokalee Foundation is proud of its history of providing students with real-world experiences, such as field trips, internships and access to highly skilled professionals.

This past summer, 60 Immokalee Foundation high school students participated in internships at 19 businesses throughout Southwest Florida.

Our robust mentor program matches our students with community members willing to share their time, talent and experience in support of a deserving young person’s professional development.

These goals are accomplished through The Immokalee Foundation’s award-winning Career Pathways program. This highly customized out-ofschool curriculum prepares students for well-paying, in-demand professional careers in one of four distinct pathways: Business Management & Entrepreneurship, Education & Human Services, Engineering & Construction Management and Healthcare.

The Immokalee Foundation’s Third Annual CEO Leadership Summit, one of our most high-profile and exciting annual events, will occur on Oct. 15 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Athrex One Conference Center.

BY NOEMI PEREZ Guest Columnist

This is realworld access at its finest. This event features local executives and CEOs willing to share their stories and career paths to inspire The Immokalee Foundation’s high school seniors from all four Career Pathways.

WINK News’ Corey Lazar will again serve as emcee for this unique educational experience.

This year’s panelists are at the top of their game.

• Greg Brisson is the president of BCB Homes and oversees the operations of the custom luxury home construction company.

• Immokalee native Dr. Kristen Dimas is the program director of the Family Medicine Residency Program at Healthcare Network.

• Dr. Leslie C. Ricciardelli is the 20th superintendent of the A-rated Collier County Public Schools district.

• Adria D. Starkey serves as the Collier

County President for FineMark National Bank and Trust.

• Entrepreneur John Tobe owns four First Watch franchises and has been working in real estate development in Naples since 2013.

Witnessing the students we support engage in meaningful conversations with some of Southwest Florida’s most prolific leaders is always a thrill—for Foundation staff and community members alike.

“Being able to give back and hopefully inspire others in the place where my roots run so deep is extremely meaningful to me,” said Ricciardelli. “I’m honored to be included with this group of local leaders, with whom I have so much respect.”

From the meet and greet to the Q&A, this powerful hands-on experience starts

MetroLagoons now hiring for Brightwater Lagoon

Brightwater Lagoon, a resort-style lagoon experience coming soon to the Brightwater community in North Fort Myers, is looking for hospitality-driven people to join its team.

Brightwater Lagoon will be the first of its kind in Southwest Florida, featuring six acres of clear blue water surrounded by sandy beaches and offering a resort-style swim-up bar, food trucks, an inflatable obstacle course, paddleboard and kayak rentals. Brightwater Lagoon will cater Florida family fun for everyone with amenities and activities for all ages.

More than 50 full- and part-time positions will be available at Brightwater Lagoon, including positions such as lifeguards, admissions staff, food and beverage supervisors, bartenders and barbacks, and grounds supervisors.

Brightwater Lagoon hosted a hiring event at its new location on Sunny Page Lane in North Fort Myers, on Aug. 9. Interested applicants should apply online at MetroLagoons.com/Careers.

Brightwater Lagoon opened to the public this year.

with a handshake and ends with young lives being changed.

The good news for you is that the Third Annual CEO Leadership Summit is open to the public. Registration will begin at 4:30 p.m., with the speaker panel taking the stage at 5 p.m. The panel presentation will be followed by a networking hour with beverages and hors d’oeuvres.

The Immokalee Foundation’s CEO Leadership Summit is presented by Scotlynn and supported by Stock Development and FloridaBlue.

We hope you will join us and be a part of this truly transformational experience.

Noemi Y. Perez is president and CEO of The Immokalee Foundation. Call (239) 430-9122 or visit immokaleefoundation. org/ceosummit.

Innovative Food Holdings sells igourmet.com for $700K

Innovative Food Holdings, a national seller of gourmet specialty foods to professional chefs, announced the signing of an agreement to sell its consumer e-commerce business igourmet. com for $700,000.

The Company expects the transaction to close within the next 30 days. The Company’s Pennsylvania facility is not included in the transaction. Acting as sell-side advisors on the transaction were Sampford Advisors and Erben M&A Advisors.

CEO Bill Bennett stated, “With today’s announcement, we mark continued progress against our strategic stabilization plan of selling off unproductive assets and redirecting resources and focus to our profitable foodservice business, as first discussed in our November 2023 earnings call. The cash for this sale will be used to support our anticipated M&A strategy, as well as investment into new growth initiatives in our food service business. We look forward to continuing to further develop our core, profitable Professional Chef business.”

Brisson Dimas Ricciardelli Starkey Tobe

Above: A rendering shows the entirety of Brightwater Lagoon.

Left: Children play on a floating inflatable obstacle course.

MANUFACTURING

Paper industry leading charge away from PFAS

We all know paper manufacturing requires wood from trees and water from lakes and streams, so maintaining the health of these resources is vital to the survival of the industry. Since the 1960s, perand polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been staples in the manufacturing of paper products.

In the decades since they started being used, PFAS have been linked to serious medical issues such as cancer, immune system suppression, increased cholesterol levels, pregnancy-induced hypertension, liver damage, reduced fertility and increased risk of thyroid disease.

In the past half-decade, the paper industry has been at the forefront of the effort to steer away from the use of PFAS. This is especially prominent in the food packaging sector.

PFAS have performed well when it comes to keeping grease and moisture from leaking out of paper wraps and containers holding food items such as hamburgers and french fries. However, in recent years, fast-food chains and grocery stores are realizing that the chemicals are not the beneficial materials they were meant to be when it comes to environmental safety.

BY RYAN VAN HORN Guest Columnist

PFAS are dangerous to the environment— and some are toxic. Studies showing that PFAS in paper wraps and boxes can seep into food have piled up in recent years. Because of those concerns, many food companies are switching from singleuse containers and wraps made with PFAS to packaging without these “forever chemicals” as ingredients.

Among the alternatives to PFAS, the paper industry has turned to such substitutes as bamboo or palm leaf, biowax- or clay-coated paper, seaweed (biodegradable and edible), Polylactic acid (PLA) coated paper and cellophane. Here at Custom Packaging & Products, our paper comes to us from suppliers that use an uncoated paper designed to deliver a high level of grease-resistance without the use of PFAS. Its outstanding stain holdout and converting performance set industry standards in high grease food service and food process-

ing applications such as burger wraps and French fry bags.

As the use of PFAS continues to be phased out of the paper industry, the quest to find safer, more sustainable alternatives continues to move forward. Some nonprofit organizations, such as ChemFORWARD, want to help food-ware makers take a critical look at the alternatives to PFAS. They are offering hazard comparisons or third-party certifications of the safety of the chemicals used in goods such as food packaging.

While the transition away from PFAS presents challenges, Custom Packaging & Products and the paper industry are committed to finding safe, effective alternatives and complying with evolving regulations to protect both human health and the environment.

Ryan Van Horn is the president and CEO of Fort Myers-based Custom Packaging & Products, the longest-standing manufacturer of short-run, lowminimum custom-printed food service papers and specialty printing company in the United States. Contact (239) 574-2160.

LARC hosts exceptional employers of Southwest Florida

Lee Association for Remarkable Citizens (LARC) hosted “Exceptional Employers of Southwest Florida” on July 23 at The Collaboratory.

The event highlighted the benefits of employing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, honored local employers that hire IDD and celebrated exceptional employees with tenure in their jobs. LARC, a training center for success, provides essential support services to individuals with IDD and their families.

“We are committed to highlighting the unique talents and contributions that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities bring to the workplace,” said Angela Katz, executive director of LARC. “This population is often overlooked, yet there are significant gaps in the workforce, particularly in the hospitality industry. These individuals are capable, dedicated and reliable employees who enrich any business they join.”

Numerous organizations in Southwest Florida, including LARC, provide support services for individuals with disabilities seeking employment. LARC helps identify and match indi-

viduals’ strengths to suitable jobs and provides job coaching to support employees and employers.

The event featured a panel with Suzie Starks, executive director of the YMCA of Southwest Florida; Abby Richter, Customer Engagement Manager at Ecological Laboratories; Elaine Rockenstyre, Vice President of Human resources at Shaw Develop-

ment; and Shana Jenkins, Franchise Owner at Steak ‘n Shake. They discussed the benefits, challenges and best practices in employing individuals with IDD.

Katz highlighted LARC’s state-ofthe-art Commercial Culinary Training Kitchen, where staff will deliver training designed for the hospitality industry to individuals with IDD.

“With the launch of our Commercial Culinary Training Kitchen, individuals with disabilities are poised to showcase their talents, dedication, and skills in the food service industry,” Katz said. “This initiative is a testament to the power of collaboration and compassion, offering a winwin solution for businesses and individuals alike.” The kitchen is slated to open in December 2024.

Diana Willis, co-owner of Jason’s Deli, attended the Exceptional Employers event. “We are proud to partner with LARC and have employed remarkably talented individuals from their program for several years. I am excited to expand our partnership into the culinary program as LARC creates more opportunities for training in the Hospitality Industry.”

Research indicates that individuals with disabilities bring diverse talents to the workplace and tend to have higher job retention rates than their non-disabled counterparts. “Hiring people with exceptional abilities can lead to reduced turnover, lower recruiting costs, increased productivity, and enhanced customer outreach,” Katz said.

Emcee Peter Busch with Exceptional Employees Charles, Randy, Jonathan, Sam, Satise, Brandon, Shane, Employment Specialist Denia De La Cruz, Ann Walsh from Open Doors Preschool and Chris Proia.

Lee Health officials explain benefits of status conversion

The Aug. 1 business luncheon of the SanCap Chamber kicked off with a joyous occasion outside Sundial Beach Resort on Sanibel Island as a crowd gathered for a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the resort’s official first day of business since Hurricane Ian.

Along with keynote speakers Dr. Larry Antonucci and Michael Nachef of Lee Health, chamber leaders and Sundial and sponsoring MHK Architecture representatives spoke at the ensuing luncheon to hail the significance of Sanibel’s largest accommodations complex to reopen to date.

“I can’t wait for everyone to have this day,” said Sundial general manager Becky Miller as she explained the resort’s current daycation operations model. “This is our Day 1.” She added that rooms will begin to open for occupancy in November, starting with west-side units.

Antonucci and Nachef took the podium to explain the “why and why now” reasoning behind Lee Health systems’ current process of returning to a community-centered nonprofit structure from the public special district structure of today, which has been in effect since 1960. At that time, the Florida Legislature sanctioned the transition from a private not-for-profit to a non-taxing special district committed to offering “safety net” health care to everyone, with or without Medicaid, Medicare, or commercial health insurance.

Now under the oversight of the Lee County Commission, Lee Health has

been working for the past six months evaluating the conversion back to a private, community-based system.

“The role of leadership… is identify icebergs before you hit them,” said Antonucci, chief operating officer of Lee Health Hospital Services.

“You don’t wait until you hit the iceberg and are taking on water before you make structural changes to meet the future challenges you anticipate you’re going to face.”

Some of the challenges include “Cost increases; service disrupters in the marketplace such as CVS, Amazon, and private equity companies; the rise in consumerism; keeping pace with technology; shifts in value-based care; and, of course, the physician and nurse shortages,” he said.

The conversion would also allow

Collaboratory awards 174 scholarships totaling $1,257,470 to area students

Collaboratory recently granted $1,257,470 and 174 scholarships to local high school seniors, undergraduate, graduate students and adult learners from Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties.

This year, Collaboratory awarded 31 of the scholarships as multi-year awards which will continue to help the students each year towards completion.

Lee Health to expand beyond Lee County borders to better serve the 20 percent of current patients coming from outside county boundaries.

“For why conversion makes sense now,… we believe in Lee Health and Lee County, and the strong leadership and economic growth in the region is what makes this possible,“ said Nachef, system director of government relations for Lee Health. “If the economy here were not strong this would not be a viable option.”

The speakers said Lee Health is a local economic driver and the top employer in the county with 30,000-plus related jobs.

“We are among one of the largest public health systems in the country,… and we are clearly the largest public health system that does not

levy a tax on its citizens,” said Antonucci.

They emphasized nothing would change as far as patient care or Lee Health’s safety-net mission and nontaxing status. Their group has spent the past 100 days working with the BOCC and educating the public about conversion. Currently, they work to post a final document, due by Aug. 27 for voting in October. In the meantime, citizens can visit leehealth.org/ lookingahead to learn more and ask questions about the conversion.

One question posed by chamber attendees at the business meeting had to do with continuing the Lee Health office presence on-island.

“Yes, we plan on growing with Sanibel. We’re in fact, exploring other options on Sanibel, too, so yes, we’re committed to the Sanibel community,” said Nachef, who also serves on the SanCap Chamber board of directors.

“Michael and Larry clearly demonstrated today their promises of transparency with salient, straight-forward discourse regarding a complicated issue,” said John Lai, president and chief executive officer of the SanCap Chamber. “Their commitment to the island and greater county community is apparent. We thank them for sharing Lee Health’s vision.”

The next business luncheon will take place Wednesday, Sep. 18, at the Community House on Sanibel Island, featuring The Everglades Foundation chief executive officer Eric Eikenberg.

“Students faced challenges with completing the 24-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) this year. The uncertainty of not knowing their aid eligibility due to the delays along with the collaborative efforts through FutureMakers Coalition the networks it has in place have contributed to this increase,” said Crystal Maldonado, Collaboratory scholarship coordinator.

FutureMakers Coalition is a collective impact initiative working along

SCHOLARSHIP See page 21

“This scholarship season we had 1,034 applications submitted, which is a 55.9 percent increase from the previous year,” said Dr. Harrison Knight, scholarship committee chair and Collaboratory Board of Directors member. “This demonstrates the high need in our community for continued scholarships towards postsecondary education.”

Michael Nachef (left) and Dr. Larry Antonucci addressed questions about Lee Health system’s conversion to a community-centered not-for-profit.

Understanding the ban on workplace DEI training rules

A significant legal decision in July impacted the landscape of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) training for employers in Florida. A federal judge permanently blocked a provision of the Individual Freedom Act that restricts employers from promoting certain race- and sex-based concepts during DEI training sessions.

This decision followed the state’s choice not to challenge an Eleventh Circuit ruling that upheld a preliminary injunction against this measure.

The Stop WOKE Act

The Individual Freedom Act, often referred to as the Stop WOKE Act, was enacted by the Florida Legislature in 2022. The law targeted workplace and educational discussions on race and gender, particularly aiming to prevent the promotion of eight specific ideas. These included concepts such as the moral superiority of any race or sex, inherent racism based on race and the notion that race or sex determines whether an individual is privileged or oppressed.

Legal challenge and injunction

Shortly after the IFA’s enactment, businesses like Honeyfund.com, Primo Tampa and a diversity consultant sued the state challenging the law’s constitutionality. In August 2022, U.S. District Judge Mark E. Walker granted a preliminary injunction, halting the enforcement of the IFA’s provisions on diversity training. Walker argued the law likely violated First

BY SCOTT ATWOOD Guest Columnist

Amendment protections, stating it banned a wide range of protected speech to address a small portion of offensive conduct already prohibited by existing laws.

Appeal and permanent injunction

The state of Florida contended the law regulated conduct rather than speech, asserting employers could still discuss the targeted concepts but could not mandate training sessions promoting them. However, businesses countered that the law created an ambiguous boundary around permissible speech, effectively banning speech the state disagreed with, thus violating the First Amendment.

The Eleventh Circuit Court sided with the businesses, upholding the preliminary injunction. The court found the challenged portion of the law unlawfully regulated speech. Following this decision, Florida chose not to pursue further legal action, leading Judge Walker to make the injunction permanent.

Implications for Florida Employers

For Florida employers, this ruling has several critical implications:

1. Employers can continue to conduct DEI training sessions that discuss and promote diverse per-

Lee County to send letter to flood insurance program policyholders

Lee County Manager Dave Harner mailed a letter to more than 67,000 households in unincorporated Lee County with policies from the National Flood Insurance Program to offer an update and reassurance about efforts to work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to retain policy discounts.

FEMA is mandated to mail a letter to residents about the status of the program, and the county believes the language may cause residents concern.

Specifically, the FEMA letter may speak to removing unincorporated Lee County from the Community Rating System, which gives Lee County residents up to a 25% discount on flood insurance. The letter also may say all policyholders will receive a $50 surcharge on policies if the county were placed on probation, and that if the community is suspended, then no one in the affected area will be eligible for federal flood insurance.

The county’s letter, which can be viewed at leegov.com/femacrs, tells residents none of this is slated to happen during the 2024 hurricane season. The county

has months to coordinate with FEMA to create a collaborative plan and avoid being placed on probation from the NFIP.

Harner said Lee County remains dedicated to providing transparency and context every step of the process.

“We are actively working with FEMA on a plan that negates the need for much of what will be mentioned in their letter,” Harner said.

“NFIP policyholders in Unincorporated Lee County are at the forefront of our priorities, and our Lee Board of County Commissioners is committed to retaining residents’ discounts and continuing participation in this important flood insurance program.”

Residents who have questions after receiving the FEMA letter can email LeeCountyFEMA@leegov.com.

The county was notified July 19 that FEMA will maintain unincorporated Lee County’s CRS rating of 5 and NFIP policyholder discounts while the county and FEMA continue to work on a plan to address identified continuing issues. That plan is due this fall.

spectives on race and gender without fear of violating the IFA. This decision reinforces the importance of First Amendment protections in the workplace.

2. Employers should review their DEI training programs to ensure they align with this ruling. While the IFA’s specific provisions are no longer enforceable, employers should still be mindful of broader employment laws and anti-discrimination statutes.

3. Given the evolving legal landscape, employers should consult with legal counsel to navigate compliance with state and federal regulations. This is particularly important for understanding the nuances of permissible speech and conduct in workplace training.

Bottom Line

The permanent ban on the IFA’s DEI training provisions marks a significant victory for employers advocating for comprehensive diversity and inclusion initiatives. This decision underscores the importance of protecting free speech in the workplace while promoting a respectful and inclusive environment for all employees. Florida employers should remain vigilant in updating their training programs and policies in light of this ruling, ensuring they foster a diverse and inclusive workplace compliant with all relevant laws.

Scott Atwood serves as the chair of Henderson Franklin’s Labor and Employment Law Group. Contact scott.atwood@henlaw.com or (239) 344-1287.

Chillwater storage tank project will boost Collier County facility’s efficiency

Florida’s Collier County Campus Energy Plant Expansion will soon realize a 2,000-ton capacity chillwater storage tank, which will be utilized for all buildings on its main campus.

The work started out as a freestanding building before being reimagined as a renovation of the central plant and will be designed for minimal downtime. This ef-

ficient model will drastically reduce overall water consumption, as well as serve the buildings of the campus and the adjacent jail simultaneously—without spending additional money on the desired water capacity.

The system is projected to save approximately $8 million in energy costs over several decades.

East of Chicago Pizza awarded 50K grant

The Office of Economic and Business Development on May 22 awarded East of Chicago Pizza the City’s first Breaking Barriers to Business grant of $50,000.

The B2B Grant Program plays a crucial role in promoting economic development, job creation, and infrastructure improvements in the City of Cape Coral’s CRA District. By offering financial as-

sistance for new nonresidential construction, building/facility expansions, or renovations in the CRA, the B2B Grant Program helps businesses overcome financial barriers. It encourages businesses to invest in the community, fosters a supportive business environment and strengthens the overall economic vitality of the city.

Home to over 2,914 manufacturers employing close to 15,000 workers, manufacturing in Southwest Florida is alive and well. From power boats to cutting-edge medical devices and world-class chocolates, these dynamic businesses create value and jobs within the region. The manufacturing sector continues to attract investments and grow at an accelerated rate. And it shows no sig

n of slowing down

TO LAS T

MANUFACTURING IN SWFL

14,969

The number of employees currently working in SWFL’s manufacturing industry as of 2023 Source: Econovue.com

6.9% Growth 2023 over 2022

7.6% Projected Growth by 2031

WHAT'S BEING MADE IN S OUTHWEST FLORIDA?

• Printing and Signage

• LED Lighting Lubricants

Aerospace products

•Chocolates Frozen Foods

Shipping and Containers

• Medical Devices

3D/Additive Printing

C AREERS & S ALARIES

•Building Supplieswindows/doors

Custom stainless steel equipment

After decade of growth, Florida is a manufacturing state

The word is out…Florida is a manufacturing state! Nine months ago, FloridaCommerce published the first-ever Manufacturing Report making this statement. Florida’s manufacturing GDP has grown nearly 70% over the last 9 years and is now the 10th largest state in the country for manufacturing employment.

In SW Florida, the importance of manufacturing to the regional economy is understood. The focus of our county’s EDCs/EDOs on attracting and retaining manufacturers is evidence. The exposure of the industry by publications such as the SWFL Business Today has many taking notice. There are over 1,200 manufacturers in our region, and I believe many more to come.

The SRMA’s mission statement is to improve the quality of life in SWFL through the advancement of manufacturing. Our participation in programs such as the FutureMakers’ Good Job Challenge and Lee County’s ARPA Technical Assistance Program, works towards that mission. The GJC has created new training programs to upskill our region’s workforce, resulting in higher-wage career opportunities for our residents. Again, these efforts are getting noticed.

Training is the key to future growth. I’m happy to see our school systems applying for grants to help bring Advanced Manufacturing education programs to our high schools and post-secondary schools.

Whether a focus on aerospace, semiconductors or medical manufacturing, this type of training is needed to attract high-tech companies to our area. The trained workforce must be in place for companies to relocate or expand. These companies and the high-wage careers they offer will improve the quality of life for many!

Lastly, technology adoption and cybersecurity are two areas manufacturers need to keep in the forefront. AI is helping manufacturers become more efficient and obtain faster reaction times in all departments, not just on the production floor. Automating the dirty, dull and dangerous tasks can benefit a manufacturer in many ways. Cybersecurity tends to be thought of as an unwanted expense and not everyone thinks it is necessary. We all hear of data breaches occurring with large corporations, but they are happening at businesses of all sizes. CMMC 2.0 is happening, and companies within the Department of Defense supply chain (at any level) who choose to ignore it, gamble losing purchase orders from their customers.

The SRMA is here to assist with any of these topics and more. Sometimes it is a referred connec-

“Training is the key to future growth. I’m happy to see our school systems applying for grants to help bring Advanced Manufacturing education programs to our high schools and post-secondary schools. Whether a focus on aerospace, semiconductors, or medical manufacturing, this type of training is needed to attract high-tech companies to our area. The trained workforce must be in place for companies to relocate or expand.’

tion, other times we bring in the resources manufacturers need to overcome growth and efficiency obstacles. Let us know how we can help. For membership, event, and resource information, please visit www.srma.net or email exec@srma.net. Join the SRMA today!

Rob Harris has been serving as the SRMA’s Executive Director since June 2021. The SRMA is a part of the FloridaMakes network. Contact him at rob@srma. net

ROB HARRIS

Embracing and growing local manufacturing opportunities

As manufacturing jobs continue to be re-shored to the United States from global markets, Florida is poised to become one of the top five manufacturing states by 2030. With that comes the promise of an even more resilient and diversified economy, higher average wages for our citizens and an increase in the volume and value of the goods exported to the world.

This is important because manufacturing jobs are at a premium. These jobs tend to increase productivity and are economically resilient against downturns. Manufacturing jobs also generally pay higher wages than those in other industries. The 2023 average annual wage for statewide workers in the manufacturing industry cluster was $74,647 and exceeded the average annual wage for all industries by 17%. Furthermore, in Florida, manufacturing benefits small and large employers alike, each playing a role in the success of the industry and all regions of the state, both urban and rural.

According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, since 2014 Florida has grown its manufacturing employment by 23.3%, far outpacing other top manufacturing states such as Georgia, Michigan, and Ohio. According to the Economic Policy Institute, for every 100 direct manufacturing jobs in durable goods, another 744 indirect jobs are sustained through supplier networks and jobs impacted by payroll expenditure through direct jobholders. This kind of impact is essential for the growing economy.

Developing new pipelines and pathways for younger generations, as well as those pivoting from other industries to identify and pursue manufacturing as a career, is essential to enable the continued growth of Lee County’s manufacturing sector. Increased support of workforce training through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to FGCU/Collaboratory, CareerSource of Southwest Florida, locally provided resources through educational institutions, and the State of Florida are essential for the continued growth of the region’s economy. These new pipelines also provide the opportunity to earn a living wage to younger members of the workforce.

The two technical colleges in Fort Myers and Cape Coral, along with other credential-based training programs, were made available through Lee County’s local vocational and educational institutions and will create more opportunities for individuals who do not plan on seeking a college degree. The future addition of a technical college in Lehigh Acres will bring education opportunities to the East Lee County community. The new

school will also ensure there are technical college opportunities in the areas of Lee County that house the highest concentration of workforce population. A new technical school with the Heights Foundation is planned to assist the underserved community of Harlem Heights with education and development opportunities, which will help bolster and better prepare the county’s workforce.

On a local level, it is also important to organize manufacturing assets. The collaboration of Lee County, the Southwest Florida Regional Manufacturers Association (SRMA), Florida Makes, GrowFL, Collaboratory, the Lee County School District, FGCU, FSW and the numerous vocational schools ensures that education and training opportunities are made available to all residents of Lee County. Access to these tools will give people the opportunity to increase their skills and abilities to equip them with the tools needed to earn a better wage and quality of life.

Dana Brunett possesses over 30 years’ experience in economic development in New York and Florida, managing economic development organizations and small business lending programs. He is currently Business Development Director for the Lee County Economic Development Office. Contact the Lee County EDO at (239) 533-6800.

DANA BRUNETT

LEE COUNTY

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GLADES COUNTY

Industrial growth will transform Glades County’s economy

Traditionally, manufacturing in Glades County has been centered on companies which have their roots in the predominantly agriculture-based economy. The state’s largest fertilizer company, Wedgworth’s Inc., expanded its operation to include a bagging factory at the Moore Haven plant, and is planning a future expansion. The county is working with other entities to secure funding for this important economic development project.

Looking towards the future, Glades County is actively recruiting manufacturing companies! Americas Gateway Logistics Center (AGLC) is a 600-acre mixed use industrial site just outside of Moore Haven, the county seat. AGLC has highway and rail access and is within two hours of Interstate-75, Interstate-95, Florida’s Turnpike and airports in Fort Myers, West Palm Beach and Miami. The Glades County Business Center is a 15-acre county-owned

site also ripe with opportunity. The county has commissioned a feasibility study and will soon be looking for developers and investment in the area.

As manufacturing continues to go high-tech, highspeed internet is essential for companies to operate. Glades Electric Cooperative, Inc. has partnered with Conexon to offer its entire service area affordable high speed broadband internet. Several communities in the county already connected, with the rest of county expected to have coverage by 2025.

iTECH Glades, operated by the Collier County School District, is ready to work closely with area

businesses to offer training that workers may be lacking. Glades County is home to a variety of small-scale manufacturing enterprises. These businesses range from woodworking shops to Maxant Metals, a metal fabrication plant. These small business owners work with iTECH to train their employees and prepare them for the future.

Through strategic economic development initiatives, Glades County aims to strengthen and grow its manufacturing base, ensuring a more diversified and resilient local economy for the future.

Rosemary Fllori received her B.A. in political science from the University of Florida and was hired as the Executive Director of the Glades County Economic Development Council in September 2021. Contact her at rfllori@gladescountyedc.com or call (863) 946-0300.

CHARLOTTE COUNTY

Innovation, distribution power help make Charlotte a key manufacturing

According to SelectFlorida in its 2024 Manufacturing Industry Sector Brief, “If Florida was a country, it would be rated the 14th largest in the Global Economy.” Additionally, Florida manufacturers represent the nation’s top 3 states for manufacturing, helping to fuel the State’s $1.67 trillion economy. Florida’s manufacturing industry counts for nearly 24,000 manufacturers who employ more than 468,697 workers across the State, grossing over $80 billion in regional product output.

Being among the nation’s top producers of STEM graduates, many of these manufacturing operations have emerged because of the presence of advanced research facilities at Florida’s universities and colleges, military installations and Florida’s space industry.

That said, Charlotte County is the new home to strong growth companies, an area where businesses are expanding in manufacturing their new technologies like Vestas Air Coil, Balentine Cabinets, Fountain Pools, Proglider Boats, Kozma Welding and Fabrication, Latitude Boats and Environmental Underground, to name a few. These businesses choose to be in the Charlotte County for one or more reasons such as its pro-business policies, strong workforce, great access to domestic and global markets and quality of life.

With every good manufacturer, you’ll also find distribution and warehousing to be an important element to their overall operation. The logistics/ transportation industry is also booming in Charlotte County, especially for powerhouse companies like Cheney Brothers Inc., Federal Express, and Dakota Hardwoods - Construction Materials, businesses which collectively expanded their business footprint at the Charlotte County Airport Park, adding hundreds of new well-paying jobs in Charlotte County. In recent years, Cheney Brothers, Inc. was the first privately owned “high-tech” food distribution company to recog-

locale

nize Charlotte County as a great location for a distribution hub. With nearly 1 million square feet of spec space either completed or going vertical Charlotte County’s Airport Park along the Interstate-75 corridor is ideally positioned for manufacturing and distributions companies where truck drivers pick-up and deliver their customer’s goods during the day and are home for dinner that same evening. The business model that Cheney Brothers Inc. established nearly 10 years ago continues to be a popular one especially during the current times of recruiting and workforce challenges across the nation.

As the county moves in consort with Florida’s initiative to grow its manufacturing cluster, the Charlotte County Economic Development Office together with the Charlotte County Industrial Development Authority offer customized economic incentive packages and industrial revenue bonds for the recruitment of high-wage employment with value-added businesses.

The Charlotte County Economic Development Office encourages companies interested in locating to the Southwest Florida “hotspot” (where there is plenty of land yet to be developed) and consider using Industrial Development Revenue Bonds (IDRBs) to help finance projects for manufacturing and industrial plants, aviation facilities, corporate headquarters and health care businesses.

For more information about the benefits Charlotte County Florida can offer a manufacturing business, contact Kay Tracy, Business Recruitment Manager at: (941) 764-4944 or email Kay. Tracy@CharlotteCountyFL.Gov.

KAY TRACY

ROSEMARY FLLORI

HENDRY COUNTY

Manufacturing in a rural, agricultural SWFL community

Traditionally known for its agricultural industry, it may surprise most to learn that there is an active and growing manufacturing community in Hendry County, producing a variety of products from food to space exploration.

Just south of Lake Okeechobee, Hendry County is located between Lee and Palm Beach counties. Its central location has made it ideal for many businesses looking for expansion locations, especially from the Miami-Dade area. Along the U.S. 27 corridor, Hendry’s location not only sees the movement of freight from the seaports, but it offers ease of access west via Highway 80.

Given the availability of land and the growing need for products produced domestically, businesses, particularly manufacturers have begun looking inland for land along the connecting corridors.

In the eastern portion of the County, the City of Clewiston in the eastern section of the county has several industrial parks in and around the city that cater to manufacturing. Given the large agricultural industry that is present in Hendry, food manufacturing has become a large and growing cluster in the area. In LaBelle, The Jack Paul Industrial Park offers of 600 acres of opportunity along

State Road 29.

Workforce development programs are becoming more accessible to residents in Hendry through local and regional initiatives, making skilled trades a growing sector of the educational attainment. The SWFL Equitable Jobs Pipeline managed by Florida Gulf Coast University and FutureMakers has resulted in numerous individuals returning to career training pathways in manufacturing and logistics. The funding they received from the U.S. Economic Development Administration supports programs and students in the manufacturing and logistics industries.

The Hendry County Workforce Development and Adult School’s welding program is led by an instructor with over 25 years’ experience in the field. This year, due to demand, the school has opened a second location in LaBelle. The LaBelle Adult School is offering three new trade programs, doubling their workforce offerings in the district. New programs include HVAC (day and night), Welding (day), and Plumbing (day). Each of these programs

allows adults to earn industry certification(s) that will aid in gainful employment post-graduation. Having a pipeline of new graduates in these fields can alleviate any worries regarding construction timelines or delays and allowing production to commence as soon as possible.

The school has also created a workforce advisory board. Included amongst the board’s members are local and regional industry leaders and students. The board is focused on aligning the educational offerings with the business community’s needs. This board also includes representatives from the Southwest Florida Manufacturers Association, SRMA, and organization dedicated to the manufacturing community.

As the manufacturing community continues to expand in SWFL, Hendry County will continue to foster an environment that will help the industry flourish.

Keitha Daniels is the Director for the Hendry County Economic Development Council. She has worked for the Board of County Commissioners over the past seven years with a focus in economic development. To contact her, email keitha@hendryedc. com.

KEITHA DANIELS

COLLIER COUNTY

Cultivation through collaboration: Growing manufacturing in Naples

In Southwest Florida, we recognize the importance of having a robust talent development system for the manufacturing industry to maintain economic growth and meet the sector’s changing needs. Key organizations, such as the Greater Naples Chamber, Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association (SRMA), FutureMakers Coalition and Collier County Public Schools, are leading this effort, each playing a role in shaping the future workforce collaboratively.

By 2030, the manufacturing industry is expected to grow 15.5% in Southwest Florida. The Greater Naples Chamber is crucial in connecting local businesses with educational institutions and providing platforms for industry leaders to share insights and needs for this growing industry. Its efforts ensure that the curriculum and training programs align with current industry demands, creating a skilled workforce ready to address modern manufacturing challenges.

Our region is home to approximately 585 manu-

facturing companies. The SRMA brings these organizations together to share best practices, resources and workforce development strategies.

Their collaboration with schools and training institutions ensures that the skills taught are relevant and reflect the latest technological advancements and industry standards.

With nearly 5,700 unique job postings, the FutureMakers Coalition focuses on creating pathways for students and workers to attain higher education and skills.

By addressing barriers to education and working with community partners, they help close the skills gap and promote the development of local talent pipelines.

In its secondary programs, Collier County Public

AI & MANUFACTURING

Schools offers comprehensive career and technical education programs that expose students to manufacturing technologies and processes early on. Engineering is offered at seven of the district’s eight traditional high schools and all 10 of its middle schools. These programs are designed to provide hands-on experience and industry certifications, preparing students for careers upon graduation.

Danielle O’Conner joined the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce in January 2022, initially as the Work-Based Learning Coordinator to connect students with local businesses for real-world experience in their field of interest. In June 2022, she was promoted to Director of Talent Initiatives where she now oversees all talent development programs and works closely with our businesses, educational institutions, local government and non-profits to ensure our workforce has the necessary skills to meet the needs of our businesses. To contact her, email danielle@napleschamber.org

AI and machine distribution – don’t fall for the hype

The adoption of AI in the equipment and heavy machinery industries remains in its infancy. But it’s coming – and although currently shrouded in hype, the future benefits to business performance are real, according to abcg consultants Hans Iredahl and Mike Going.

The media is obsessed with artificial intelligence (AI) and how it’s going to take over the world, be a force for good and/or destroy the planet – and everything in between. The reality is likely to be less dystopian, but far more useful in practical terms. But it can’t – and shouldn’t — do everything, so care is needed in its implementation.

The basic principles on deploying and implementing digital solutions are also true for AI. Starting with technology and then trying to find a matching problem is a recipe that in most cases is destined for failure. You need to know your business pain points and opportunities and, accordingly, identify areas to address. You should start small, implement with a trusted partner and make sure your teams and employees are on the journey with you. After the first phase of the project you evaluate, regroup and build further according to your priority setting. Old school, but effective.

Data quality is key

We have learned that in any data analysis/data warehouse initiative, the consistency, compatibility and accuracy of your data are the most important factors. The phrase ’garbage in – garbage out’ is as valid for AI as any other project. Incomplete or inaccurate data sets can cause AI algorithms to miss essential patterns and correlations, leading to incomplete or biased results. In any AI project, the early focus needs to be on evaluating your data readiness. If needed, utilize data quality tools for cleansing and establish data governance practices, thereby sustaining good data quality over time.

Manage integrations

AI is not a stand-alone technology. It needs to

be integrated and interoperable with existing platforms, solutions and business process workflows to feed its data needs. The more diverse and fragmented environment you have, the more focus is needed to establish a robust and repetitive integration setup. Your legacy solutions need to be able to communicate seamlessly with AI components with well-defined APIs (application programming interface). Alternatives to direct APIs from your legacy platform are middleware solutions or a cloud integration platform. As its name suggests, middleware is software that sits between legacy systems and the AI-powered application. The middleware translates the data and commands between the two systems, making it possible for them to communicate with each other.

Where to start using AI

Although the long-term benefits of using AI may be large, it’s wise to take an iterative approach –starting small and focusing on areas where you can see substantial business improvements. Focus on areas where you can cut lead times by reduced time to execute repetitive tasks, or where AI can give insights into huge data sets.

As examples, some abcg clients are considering using AI to optimize inventory levels in branches and main warehouses. Here AI could produce accurate stock projections by finding patterns and swings in company inventory and sales data. Creating optimal pricing strategies for parts ranges is another possibility. Here AI would analyze market trends, competitor pricing, historical sales data, and customer behavior – and crunch the numbers to help create a pric-

ing plan. Others consider the use of AI to improve the effectiveness of market campaigns and product launches. (e.g. helping to understand customer behavior, create customer-targeted launch messages and marketing material etc.). In service and aftermarket, AI technology connected to vast amounts of technical/service documentation can help customers and your back-office service center find answers to machine issues quicker and thereby reduce machine downtime.

To conclude, when it comes to embracing AI we reiterate our advice to initially go for projects that quickly enhance business processes. Becoming too ambitious at the start is a trap that many projects (AI and more traditional change projects) fall into – and suffer the consequences of. With a new technology like AI, the risk of failure becomes even higher if you are too ambitious to start with. Focus on automating repetitive, time-intensive, or error-prone tasks to allocate resources more effectively. Identifying these high-impact tasks can generate immediate gains and establish the foundation, momentum, and enthusiasm for further AI integration in a business.

Getting the best out of AI requires real intelligence – and those who start experimenting with a learning mindset will become the leaders of tomorrow. External assistance can help you and your teams identify the low-hanging fruit and uncover the benefits of AI, without falling for the hype.

Hans Iredahl and Mike Going are executive partners with the commercial vehicle advisory practice, abcg. The practice offers experience, deep industry knowledge and an external 360-degree perspective to clients, qualifying them to deliver accelerated, sustainable transformation that propels business performance from good to exceptional. Equally focused on delivering successful outcomes as well as conceiving strategy, abcg help to identity and remove points of friction and provide hands on support to implement the required change. Contact Managing Partner Alan Berger at aberger@abcgadvantage.com.

DANIELLE O’CONNER

CAREERSOURCE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

CareerSource continues to support SWFL manufacturers

If one is not involved in manufacturing, you don’t realize how much manufacturing and how many manufacturers there are in this region. There are a combination of start-ups, manufacturers moving to this area or just plain growing. It is a booming industry! If you are a manufacturer, let’s talk!

CareerSource Southwest Florida is a non-profit organization that services the Manufacturing industry and all its components in the five-county area of Southwest Florida. We are part of a statewide employment and training network. We connect manufacturers to qualified candidates and other resources like the Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association (SRMA). We have partners throughout the community to assist with everything Manufacturing including multi-county educational system that includes technical programs geared for the manufacturing industry, SBDC, SBA and other non-profit organizations.

Can’t find qualified candidates? Let’s talk! Some of our no-cost services include: helping with job descriptions, recruitment, applicant pre-screening. We can assist with Job Fairs & hiring events. Utilize CareerSource Southwest Florida’s five Centers for training or interviewing. We have access to the latest labor market information for manufacturers at our fingertips. Bringing or moving a new employee into the area,

CareerSource SW FL can assist the spouse/partner with career services to help with closing the offer and getting that new employee on board.

CareerSource SW FL also funds Training! Skilled candidates are hard to find; may I suggest hiring candidates that do not have all the skills for that position – CareerSource

Southwest Florida may be able to offset up to 75% of the wages for each new trainee for up to six months to a maximum of $7,000 per hire to offset the costs of training that individual. Let’s talk!

This on-the-job training program allows you to train the new hire the correct way with financial relief and you are getting a diamond in the rough to shape the new employee to your standards. Let’s talk!

We have other training programs – a young adult work experience program, by having an out-of-school candidate, ages of 16 to 24 years, on CareerSource Southwest Florida’s payroll for up to two months before you make a decision to hire. We have the same for the adult population for a candidate that is unsure if a career in manufacturing is right for them so let’s talk!

Upskilling your current workforce – let’s talk! We offer customized training to help a manufacturer upskill their current entry level workforce to make them more productive and allow them to advance in their careers. CareerSource Southwest Florida will reimburse the manufacturer up to 50% of those training costs.

Did you need help with connecting with other community resources and partners? CareerSource Southwest Florida can assist, including introductions to economic development offices, Small Business Development Center, banking/loan needs, human resources needs, insurance needs and supply chain needs to name a few of those resources.

Because each manufacturer is different and each one has different needs CareerSource Southwest Florida customizes our relationships to meet those individual needs. So let’s talk! Give us a call so we start a conversation on how CareerSource Southwest Florida can be of assistance to your manufacturing concern.

Bill Welch is the Business Services Director with CareerSource Southwest Florida with 20+ years of experience in staffing and consulting employment services in SW FL assisting business to grow and prosper. (239) 9318200 or wwelch@careersourcesouthwestflorida.com.

Pelican Wire is a custom wire manufacturer with over five decades of experience delivering reliable, quality and lab-tested wire solutions to mission critical applications.

It has been over 55 years since an astronaut last walked on the moon, but that fact may change in the coming years with the planned Artemis III crewed Moon landing mission of the NASA Artemis program.

Pelican Wire is currently working with several aerospace Industry-related companies, which have a stake in iaking this mission a success.

A mission such as this is many years in the making and Pelican Wire is supplying wire and cable being used for the Artemis III mission in both the cockpit of the lander module and on the astronauts themselves.

The cable Pelican Wire supplies for the cockpit is used for life support and critical communication systems, allowing NASA real-time communication from Earth to the mission crew.

Not only is Pelican Wire delivering cable solutions used on the lunar module, but we are also supplying wire the astronauts will depend on to

complete their mission. As you can imagine, the environment on the moon is quite harsh, with environmental exposure to drastically extreme temperatures. To ensure safety and mission success, nextgeneration space suits have been developed specifically for this mission.

Pelican Wire has long been known for our expertise working with fine-gauge Resistance Wire applications, which includes the e-textile industry. One of the reasons for earning an industryleading reputation is our extensive knowledge of a wide array of alloys and high-temperature insulations. These factors, along with our various quality accreditations in manufacturing and on-site calibration laboratory, have led to Pelican Wire being named to provide a solution for a custom wire which will be sewn into the astronauts suit. More specifically, their gloves

will be heated with some Southwest Florida sunshine, by way our incredible engineering and manufacturing teams.

We are proud to play a role in NASA’s Artemis program and always appreciate the unique opportunity to represent Southwest Florida as our home and as one of the area’s first manufacturing companies. From Southwest Florida to the moon. And beyond

Frank Balsamo is the Sales Director for Pelican Wire. With extensive experience in various manufacturing disciplines, as well as a degree in Engineering, He works with customers from prototype to production to meet or exceed their expectations. Contact (239) 597-8555 fbalsamo@pelicanwire.com.

BILL WELCH

NASA’s Artemis rocket will power the next crewed mission to the moon. Naples manufacturer Pelican Wire will supply the wiring and cable.

FRANK BALSAMO

MANUFACTURING

Southwest Florida – sun, sand and... manufacturing?

Southwest Florida is known for its beautiful beaches, swaying palm trees and picturesque sunsets. Manufacturing certainly isn’t the first thought that locals or visitors have when describing the region, but the perception that Lee County is all play and no work is changing.

From life-saving medical devices to aircraft parts, manufacturers from all sectors have dropped their roots in Lee County. Companies such as Advanced Hurricane Technology, Aerox, Arthrex, Custom Packaging & Products, Drake Ready Mix, HF Scientific, MY Shower Door, Nor-Tec, Storm Smart, Sutumed, Tyber Medical and more are all here in Lee County.

From 2017 to 2022, Lee County saw a 33% growth in manufacturing employment. The manufacturing industry contributes $1.18 billion in annual revenue to Lee County’s economy, according to the Lee County Economic Development Office. So why the rapid growth?

John Talmage, director of the Lee County Economic Development Office, says several key factors come into play. “Our region boasts a strategic geographic location for the effectiveness of logis-

BY MARK STEVENS Guest Columnist

tics and supply chain management. We are able to provide manufacturers with access to global markets through the help of Southwest Florida International Airport and a Foreign Trade Zone at Skyplex. This availability to the global market allows our manufacturing industry to expand its technology and operational efficiencies to create new, cutting-edge products.”

Talmage adds, “Our area also offers a favorable business environment characterized by a highly skilled workforce. With programs at Florida Gulf Coast University and Florida SouthWestern State College that specialize in trades and manufacturing, we have a properly trained workforce that is able to fill these high-demand job vacancies.”

Florida’s favorable tax policies and incentives, such as grants and job training programs, reduce operational costs and encourage business investment. Local governments’ streamlined regulatory

processes and proactive economic development efforts create an inviting environment for manufacturers.

Southwest Florida’s high quality of life, abundant sunshine, sandy beaches and ample recreational activities attract skilled professionals and their families from across the nation. Additionally, the region’s focus on innovation and technology, supported by industry associations and economic development organizations, fosters a supportive ecosystem for manufacturers.

Combining the region’s commitment to innovation with strong support from local organizations, such as the Horizon Foundation, further enhances its appeal to manufacturers and investors leading to the emergence of Southwest Florida as a major manufacturing hub.

Mark Stevens is chair of the Horizon Foundation and president of Stevens Construction, a Fort Myers-based company that provides construction management, general contracting and consulting services to clients and design professionals. Contact him at (321) 725-7272.

Kolter Urban selects contractor for The Island at West Bay Club

Kolter Urban, a Florida-based real estate development and investment firm, selected Manhattan Construction Company as the general contractor for The Island at West Bay Club, an 86unit luxury condominium within West Bay on Florida’s Paradise Coast.

Manhattan Construction Group will spearhead construction efforts of this final condominium to be offered for sale within the West Bay Club community. Recently, the development was awarded a construction permit by Estero.

Manhattan’s portfolio features no-

table projects on Florida’s West Coast, such as Raymond James Stadium renovations, Tampa International Airport expansion, the St. Petersburg Pier and multiple University of South Florida projects.

Designed by Garcia Stromberg Architects, The Island at West Bay Club is distinguished by its Florida Coastal, contemporary architecture amid a beautiful waterfront and nature preserve setting, inspiring an inviting indoor-outdoor lifestyle with a wraparound design, wide terraces and panoramic vistas.

The PNC Foundation awarded Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida a $25,000 grant to support its Opportunity Accelerator program.

“Funding from PNC supports the implementation of CaseWorthy, our tailored case management software for the Opportunity Accelerator program,” said Angela Hemstreet, director of employment services at Goodwill SWFL.

“This software will help us guide the people we serve through their goal-setting process and track their progress along the way.”

The design of the building allows each of the 96 residences to enjoy a corner placement, allowing for premium unobstructed views.

Private access-controlled elevators will open to spacious three- to fourbedroom, plus den, residences which range from 3,300 to over 3,600 square feet with soaring 10-foot ceilings and full height sliding glass doors and windows. An exclusive collection of two half-floor penthouse residences will soon be released and current details include floor plans over 6,000 square feet.

MANUFACTURING

Residents of The Island at West Bay Club have access to an array of exceptional amenities designed to create inviting social spaces and meaningful moments, including a rooftop oasis on the 24th floor, ideal for morning yoga and sunset celebrations.

Main-level features include a Resident Club Room, a resort-style pool with lap lanes, a state-of-the-art Fitness Center, private guest suites, a family-friendly Splash Lounge and a Sports Lounge with a high-tech sports simulator for golf enthusiasts.

Perry Hotel Naples to offer rooftop restaurant, beach views

The Perry Hotel Naples, a 160-room hotel located along the Cocohatchee River in North Naples is slated to open this fall. It will be the second location for The Perry, a boutique hotel brand that launched in Key West in 2017.

The $80-million project is a new-build, featuring seven floors, a modern industrial design, spacious guest rooms, most with balconies, a ground-floor pool and adjacent activity lawn, a poolside tapas eatery, a lobby coffee bar, a fitness center and an open-air deck featuring a rooftop pool, a poolside bar highlighting craft cocktails and rooftop Tigress Restaurant, a full-service venue serving chef-driven Asian-fusion cuisine and unmatched panoramic views.

With ample outdoor space and waterfront views, the hotel plans to cater to experience-driven travelers to the Naples area, offering world-class service and immersive amenities for both visitors and locals.

steel beams, metal chandeliers and leather seating.

Nature and wildlife are important parts of The Perry Hotel Naples identity. Much of the landscape was informed by the local native ecosystem, which consists of a riverine estuary, a mangrove forest and an upland forest of native pines, oaks and palms.

“The area has become increasingly desirable for travelers due to its proximity to nearby beaches, golf courses, world-class shopping and other areas for outdoor recreation,” said Matt Strunk, chief financial officer of FOD Capital. “The Perry Hotel Naples will be a wonderful destination hotel for travelers and locals alike.”

“The opening of The Perry Hotel Naples will significantly change the landscape for destination hotels available to travelers visiting Southwest Florida,” said Mike Raymond, CEO of FOD Capital, which developed the project.

Imagined by design firm Casaconde & Associates, the modern industrial aesthetic of the Perry Hotel Naples is apparent from the moment guests enter the two-story lobby. Rustic materials such as exposed brick, stone and light woods are offset by

A boardwalk meanders from the pool deck through the mangrove-infused nature conservation area to reach the riverfront pier, featuring an eightslip marina and a dock from which water sports, fishing trips and dolphin and sunset cruises can depart. It also offers direct channel access to the Gulf of Mexico and Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park Beaches.

The Perry Hotel Naples is located on Tamiami Trail North in Naples.

Sembler, Forge to redevelop Publix-anchored shopping center

The Sembler Company, in partnership with Forge Capital Partners, announced plans to redevelop Daniels Crossing, a 30-year-old Publixanchored shopping center at Daniels Parkway and Six Mile Cypress in Fort Myers. Expected to be complete by summer 2025, the project will bring an expanded Publix Supermarket and Publix Liquor Store to the community.

Forge Real Estate Partners IV, a joint venture between Sembler and Forge, acquired Daniels Crossing in 2021. Following the temporary closing of Publix in June, demolition of the 48,890-square-foot supermarket and adjacent 4,700 square feet of inline space, is underway. A new Publix will feature a 48,387-square-foot. grocery store with an adjacent 3,010-square-

foot Publix Liquors. Other tenants at the retail center include: Duck Donuts, Millennium Physician Group, Potts Sport Café, Quest Diagnostics, School of Rock, Subway, Sugaring NYC and UPS Store, along with additional service amenities, restaurants and retail shops. Approximately 1,000 square feet of small shop space is available.

Adjacent to Gulf Coast Medical Center, Daniels Crossing serves a more than 22,000 households with an average household income topping $95,000 within a three-mile radius. The center is located at a signalized intersection where over 100,0000 vehicles pass daily. Nearly 20 nearby office buildings and 2,000 hotel rooms support a strong daytime population.

Producing Property in North Fort Myers FOR SALE

Road work progresses on San Carlos Boulevard in Lee County

The Florida Department of Transportation, District One, is making improvements along San Carlos Boulevard (State Road 865) from north of Crescent Street to north of Hurricane Pass Bridge in Lee County. Improvements include modifying the Matanzas Pass Bridge to accommodate a shareduse path, converting the existing southbound bus/bicycle-only lane to a general use travel lane and converting the existing southbound right-turn-only lane approaching Main Street to a general use travel lane that will continue across the Matanzas Pass Bridge.

San Carlos Boulevard from Main Street to Hurricane Pass Bridge will be restriped to accommodate bicycle lanes in each direction of travel. Sig-

nalization upgrades will be made with a new traffic signal constructed at Main Street, and the alternating signal at Prescott Street/Buttonwood Drive will be adjusted to operate as a conventional signal.

The purpose of the project is to provide additional travel options on a congested corridor, especially during the peak tourist season.

During construction, motorists should expect intermittent nighttime/overnight lane closures Monday through Friday. Motorists are asked to exercise caution and reduce their speed while driving through the work zone. The construction schedule may change due to weather or other unexpected conditions.

The Perry Hotel Naples, a 160-room hotel located along the Cocohatchee River in North Naples is slated to open this fall.

Brook Farm Group to develop 265-unit multifamily project

Brook Farm Group and Rail Gauge Partners closed on a construction loan and acquisition of an 8.5-acre, off-market site in Fort Myers with plans to develop a 265-unit, Class-A multifamily community. The project broke ground in July 2024 adding a modern rental community with high-end amenities to an established retail center.

The project activates vacant land adjacent to the Palm Pointe Shoppes retail center at U.S. 41 and Trailwinds Drive, making the combined site a mixeduse community walkable to attractive neighborhood retail. The site was acquired from a partnership that previously entitled the land. This will compress the execution timeline, enabling the development team to break ground with first units delivered in early 2026 when Brook Farm Group anticipates new unit deliveries to be well below recent levels.

The development is centrally located with direct access to downtown Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach and commutability to Cape Coral and Estero. Fort Myers experienced 43% population growth since 2010 and is expected to expand further through 2027. The property is in Lee County, which recorded the highest job growth rate of all Florida MSA’s during the past year, adding nearly 12,000 jobs, according to data from FloridaCommerce.

“There is considerable long-term rental demand in the Sunbelt region, and we anticipate that by commencing development during a temporary period of volatility in the market, we will be able to deliver units into an attractive competitive environment during our lease-up in 2026,” said Eric Hade, Brook Farm’s chief investment officer.

The Sinclair will be developed as two four-story buildings with elevator service, a 3,800-square-foot clubhouse, a two-level fitness center, up to 2,200 square feet of coworking space, a resort style pool, a dog park and outdoor fireplaces. The community will include studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units, ranging from 650 to 1,369 square feet.

The Sinclair will offer access to Lee Health, the largest employer in Southwest Florida. Renters will have immediate, access to adjacent retail amenities in the Palm Pointe Shopping Center including Starbucks, Dunkin’, Zaxby’s, FedEx and others, as well as signalized access to U.S. 41. Larger retailers such as Target, Sam’s Club, Trader Joes and Publix are within a few miles of the site.

Fort Myers is home to more than 21 million square feet of office space and over 357,000 employees. An estimated 13,500 new jobs are projected from 2024 to 2026.

Island Wellness Pharmacy in Sanibel aims to bring high-quality pharmacy and wellness services to the Sanibel Island community, enhancing accessibility, convenience and customer service for residents.

Island Wellness Pharmacy coming to Sanibel

Cypress Pharmacy in Fort Myers announced plans to open a new sister location, Island Wellness Pharmacy, set to open in the fall on Sanibel Island.

Located in the Jerry’s Shopping Center, Island Wellness Pharmacy aims to bring high-quality pharmacy and wellness services to the Sanibel Island community, enhancing accessibility, convenience and customer service for residents.

Island Wellness Pharmacy will offer a range of on-site services including prescription refills, immunizations, health consultations, medication synchronization and therapy management. It will provide a full line of professional-grade vitamins and supplements, premium CBD products, health and wellness services and offer local delivery on the island. Patients and customers will also have access to custom medication services offered at Cypress Pharmacy, such as custom flavoring, packaging and compounding of medications for adults, children and pets.

In partnership with Jerry’s Foods, Island Wellness Pharmacy will roll out a new prescription pickup kiosk located inside the supermarket. The secure kiosk will serve as a convenient option for residents to pick up prescriptions outside of the pharmacy’s normal operating hours and during the convenience of their grocery shopping, granting the community more access to necessary medications.

“Building strong relationships within the Sani-

bel community has been incredibly important to us,” said owner Justin Ceravolo of Cypress Pharmacy and Island Wellness Pharmacy. “We are excited to expand our services with Island Wellness Pharmacy, bringing quality patient care closer to home for our Sanibel neighbors. This new location represents our commitment to supporting the community’s health and wellbeing.”

Owner and pharmacist Justin Ceravolo has been a part of the Cypress Pharmacy family since 2012. Starting as a staff pharmacist, Ceravolo worked his way up through the ranks as pharmacy manager before acquiring the business in 2024. With a deep understanding of the community’s needs, his commitment to personalized service, education and well-being for all patients and customers has been pivotal in the decision to expand to Sanibel with Island Wellness Pharmacy.

Locally owned and operated, Cypress Pharmacy has provided pharmaceutical and health care services in Fort Myers for more than 40 years. Services offered include immunizations, medication synchronization and therapy management, customized compounding for patients and pets, personalized patient consultations, flu and strep throat testing, lab testing and Medicare Part D plan reviews. Set to open this year, Island Wellness Pharmacy is in the Jerry’s Shopping Center, on Periwinkle Way in Sanibel.

Workforce housing options on the horizon in Fort Myers

Southwest Florida’s workforce housing crisis is reaching a critical point, affecting essential workers across all sectors - from hotel and restaurant employees to health care workers, police officers, firefighters, paramedics and teachers.

The impact of this workforce housing crisis can be seen across the region. Amid persistent teacher shortages, classrooms are more crowded. With more commuters driving 50 to 100 miles each way to reach jobs in Bonita Springs, Fort Myers, Naples and Marco Island, our roads and highways remain clogged – regardless of the season.

As the American dream of home ownership grows increasingly out of reach for working families in the region, all eyes are on affordable and workforce rental housing to bridge the gap.

A proposed 149-unit apartment complex on Summerlin Road in Fort Myers, known as Summerlin Landings, aims to be part of the solution.

Summerlin Landings is a joint housing development between The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers’ nonprofit arm and Pinnacle, a private developer with over two decades of experience building communities locally and across the state.

The partnership’s previous successes include East Pointe Place and The Landings at East Point in Fort Myers. Pinnacle has similarly collaborated on publicprivate developments in Fort Pierce, Gainesville, Hollywood, Miami, Miramar, Tallahassee, Tarpon Springs and more.

Summerlin Landings would be developed on a vacant parcel co-owned by both organizations on Summerlin Road, with one- to three-bedroom units and amenities including a fitness center, dog park and clubhouse.

Eighty percent of the project’s apartments would be built as affordable units at a location convenient to tourism industry workers on Sanibel, Captiva and Fort Myers Beach, as those communities continue to recover from Hurricane Ian.

The need for such workforce housing is profound,

PROGRAM PAGE 17

Opportunity Accelerator addresses skills gaps in the area by providing essential training to individuals who lack access to higher education and paid training opportunities.

Goodwill Community Resource Center coordinators guide job seekers and career advancers through three phases: assess and plan, equip and connect, and launch and evaluate.

Hemstreet expressed gratitude for PNC Foundation, emphasizing the impact of this funding as “foun-

BY MARCIA DAVIS Guest Columnist

with demand far outstripping supply: at present, the Housing Authority has a 10,000-person waiting list. According to a recent study by the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, more than a third of renters across the country are cost-burdened in terms of housing affordability.

Among the project’s supporters: Lee Health, which with nearly 15,000 employees is both the county and the region’s largest employer.

“The need for additional workforce housing in our community is profound,” said Chris Simoneau, Lee Health’s chief development, marketing and communications officer. “At Lee Health, we strongly support efforts to narrow that gap, both for our employees as well as those frontline workers across the region whom so many of us depend upon.”

With its proven track record, our development partner Pinnacle is uniquely suited for this collaboration. Pinnacle is also committed to hiring locally when it comes to construction of its communities. That was the case in 2008 when, amid the Great Recession, more than 200 local hires were made to complete the Landings at East Ponte and Easte Pointe Place, aided by local job fairs and collaboration with community organizations.

As part of a community heavily impacted by Hurricane Ian, we have applied for federal Community Development Block Grants set aside for disaster recovery and expect to soon know if that application has been approved.

Marcia Davis is the executive director of the Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers, which serves as a catalyst for increasing access to safe, stable and sustainable housing in the greater Fort Myers region. Visit HACFM.org or call (239) 344-3220.

dational in supporting the growth of workforce skills in our community.”

“Through this grant, PNC has recognized Goodwill’s efforts to empower individuals through education, career training and work, which contributes to generational change,” Hemstreet said.

“At PNC, the work we do to strengthen and serve our community is at the heart of our business,” said Chad Loar, PNC regional president for West and Central Florida. “We’re proud to support Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida as they help reduce the barriers to employment and create a path to economic opportunity.”

Priority Marketing wins six honors at FPRA’s Golden Image Awards

The Florida Public Relations Association honored Priority Marketing with six awards at the organization’s annual Golden Image Awards ceremony, held Aug. 6 in Tampa, to recognize the firm’s outstanding public relations campaigns.

In addition to the Golden Image Awards, Priority Marketing also earned a Silver Pinnacle Award as Florida’s medium-sized Agency of the Year.

Launched in 1957, FPRA’s Golden Image Awards celebrate campaigns that reflect a high standard of excellence and serve as the best examples of innovation, planning and design.

“The Golden Image Awards honor the state’s most successful campaigns, and I’m extremely proud of the creativity, ingenuity and commitment to excellence that our team demonstrates year after year,” said President and Chief Creative Officer Teri Hansen.

Priority Marketing earned three Golden Image Awards, two Awards of Distinction and one Judges’ Creativity Award that recognize outstanding work completed on behalf of five clients. Priority Marketing’s 2024 awards include:

• Golden Image Award and Judges’ Creativity Award – Southwest Florida Community Prayer Breakfast: The 2024 Community Prayer Breakfast attracted nearly 3,000 attendees to hear a message of faith from keynote speakers Tim and Demi-Leigh Tebow while exceeding event registration and sponsorship goals.

• Golden Image Award – India Association of Fort Myers: India Fest 2024, a public relations and social media campaign to raise awareness and attendance at a community event that generates revenue for cultural programs and scholarships.

• Golden Image Award – Lee County Legal Aid Society: Roadmap to Resiliency, a public service campaign to facilitate legal citizenship pathways for abused, neglected and abandoned immigrant minors under 18.

• Award of Distinction – Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida: Easy as 1, 2, 3, a campaign to build greater awareness and understanding of the coalition’s services and Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program to drive student enrollment.

• Award of Distinction – Fort Myers Mighty Mussels: Butts in the Seats, an integrated marketing campaign to increase attendance at baseball games to increase revenue from tickets, parking, concessions and merchandise sales.

FPRA launched the Pinnacle Awards in 2024 to recognize the top agencies, individuals, nonprofits, corporate teams and government agencies in Florida that produce outstanding, ongoing strategic work in public relations and communications.

TOURISM PAGE 1 GUEST COMMENTARY

Tourism boost delivers area gains

The Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB team held our Annual Strategic Marketing Workshop on July 25 at the beautiful Hilton, Naples, whose generous support is always greatly appreciated and gracious service is always memorable.

With over 100 partners in attendance, the day began with a breakfast and networking session followed by presentations by Jay Tusa, Sandra Rios, Lisa Chamberlain, John Melleky and Claudia Wood from the CVB staff, Carol Obermeier, director of air services for Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) and Tom Merrick, chief creative officer for Paradise Advertising.

The agenda transitioned to a panel discussion where representatives from Paradise Advertising, Lou Hammond Group (Public Relations), Downs & St. Germain Research and the CVB staff answered questions from the attendees and shared industry updates and trends from their respective fields.

As a follow-up to the Workshop, we are happy to share the FY2025 Annual Marketing Workshop deck with you, along with the FY2023 Tourism Impact Report for Collier County. We are certain you will find both reports informative and helpful as you begin to plan your marketing strategies for the upcoming year.

One of the discussion topics at the Workshop was how partners could be more fully informed about how Tourist Development Tax dollars are spent. The CVB team presents an overview to the Tourist Development Council every third Tuesday of the month. The meetings take place at the Govern-

ment Center in the Commissioner’s Chambers located on the 3rd floor. The meetings are open to the public and begin promptly at 9 a.m. and end at approximately noon. Upcoming and previous agendas are posted on the County’s website at Collier County Board of County Commissioners.

As industry representatives, ambassadors, practitioners and professionals, it is important to be an active voice and a supporter of our industry in Collier County. As one of the largest employers in the region, our industry drives economic growth, prosperity and stability. We keep people employed in sectors directly and indirectly involved in the hospitality and tourism industries. Our tourist development tax (TDT) funds keep our beaches restored and renourished and our parks and recreational facilities wellmaintained. The TDT funds support sports facilities such as Paradise Coast Sports Complex and community-wide special event programming such as “Drones in Paradise Independence Day Celebration” and Snowfest. Our funds help keep our County museums thriving and bring arts and cultural programs to life, whether in Naples, Ave Maria, Immokalee, Marco Island or Everglades City.

Our destination is as diverse as it is beautiful – it is truly a location where the high life meets the wildlife. We look forward to bringing our FY2025 to life given the great input from each and every one of you.

Contact the Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades CVB at (800) 6883600.

SCHOLARSHIP PAGE

7

the cradle-to-career pathway to create a skilled and sustainable workforce pipeline. The coalition aims to transform Southwest Florida’s workforce by increasing the proportion of working-age adults with college degrees, workforce certificates, industry certifications and other high-quality credentials to 55% by 2025.

Over 200 volunteers participated in the application review process.

“We have some amazing students in our local

St. Germain explained, “As we look at basically where you’re at today--over 2.6 million visitors, year-to- date: that’s up nearly 8% year-over-year. And it’s actually up 9% in visitor days. What does that mean? Not only that you have more visitors but that they’re staying longer. You know what happens when they stay longer? They spend more money.

“As you see that increase in overnight visitors, putting more heads in beds, it is not only contributing to this community as a whole, in restaurants and shopping, but they are also contributing to that bed tax, so they’re also contributing more to this economy that way.”

He brimmed over with good news.

“One thing I want to highlight, and it was great to see this, in 2023 we saw the biggest increase in international visitation. That’s one of the last great disruptions from COVID-19.

“So, what we know about 2024 so far is that while the room rate is a little bit lower in 2024, the average daily rate is very, very close to 2022. Frankly that’s remarkable because what we forget sometimes is that in 2022, we weren’t traveling abroad, cruises weren’t really a thing. It was a more compressed environment. So to meet those metrics in a more open environment is remarkable-and it’s not happening across the state and across the country. Kudos to everyone in this room.”

He next discussed domestic travel. “That is still the priority for the American traveler. That’s one of the remarkable changes since COVID. It went from being a thing about discretionary income to becoming a part of the budget. Ninety-four percent of travelers plan on taking a trip in the next six months and that’s remarkably high.”

On the downside, he noted, “We’re

community and reviewers enjoy reading their stories and gaining insight about the big dreams they hope to accomplish,” Knight said.

Collaboratory is committed to making scholarship application accessible to all students regardless of circumstances and abilities.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect throughout the scholarship application process and was very excited when I received a scholarship to help me pay for a portion of my tuition, books, and school expenses,” said Joseph McElwee graduate of Gateway High School and recipient of the Patricia Means Scholarship and Lewis B. Barber Scholarship. McElwee

also going through some tough times economically. We’re talking across the board. So while they may not have as much money, four in 10 surveyed say they worry most or all the time that the family’s income is not enough. To give you a sense of the last time we were at that level, that was the Great Recession. According to St. Germain, people will still travel, but will generally spend less money and plan a shorter length of stay. “Granted,” he added, “this destination is a little less impacted, because the luxury segment would be less affected by this--but it’s something to keep in mind.”

He then shared travel trends that could impact Collier County:

• International travel is expected to get back to pre-pandemic levels soon.

• Business travel is expected this year to exceed pre-pandemic levels in spending, not the number of people traveling. Additionally, 30% of all business trips are expected to have a leisure component.

• Much of the increase in travel this year is occurring in the luxury sector.

• Especially the younger demographics want travel with a vibe, some energy. The reason for selecting a specific destination is shifting from where to go on that trip to why I want to go on that trip.

• Culinary travel is becoming “a thing” because the best way to learn about a place is to try the food. Moreover, this trend not only crosses generations but connects generations.

• Event travel is coming back; music and sports travel have accelerated. The reason we get together is to connect but the purpose is becoming, to attend an event.

Collier County travel is finally close to full recovery, getting back to or exceeding pre-pandemic levels across many sectors. “Keep up the good work!” St. Germain said to his audience.

plans to study Ministerial Leadership at Southeastern University.

Another scholarship recipient, Wanayja Davis, when asked what advice she would give other students about applying for scholarships said, “Don’t give up on applying for scholarships and try your hardest.”

Davis is a graduate of Dunbar High School and plans to study nursing at Bethune-Cookman University. She was awarded the Patricia Means Scholarship, which is a four-year scholarship that will help her with paying for college and improving her educational opportunities.

personalized aesthetic skin care services for both men and women, friendly and knowledgeable staff, and a clean and professional environment. Lavenia and her team are committed to supporting local causes, including Blessings in a Backpack, Colon Cancer Run, Dress for Success, Meals of Hope, Partners for Breast Cancer Care, Valerie’s House and others. Other category finalists were Global Strategies and Tech in a Flash.

• Large Business of the Year Award: Scotlynn. Led by Ryan Carter, Scotlynn is a multinational transportation and agricultural group specializing in logistics services, refrigerated transportation and fresh produce. Demonstrating a strong sense of corporate social responsibility, Scotlynn’s team members logged over 3,500 volunteer hours last year, participating in community outreach programs, educational initiatives and environmental conservation efforts. The team also raised more than $25,000 through Casual for a Cause, which was shared with various charities. Other category finalists were Drake Ready Mix and Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt.

• The Community Impact Award: Stefanie Ink-Edwards of Community Cooperative. After being appointed as CEO of Community Cooperative in 2021, Edwards has led the nonprofit through the challenges of the pandemic and the devastation of Hurricane Ian with resilience and compassion. Her ability to unite her team during these trying times ensured continuous service to thousands in need. Under Edwards’ leadership, Community Cooperative served 56,021 individuals with essential food and social services in 2023. Other category finalists were Dr. Nadine “Deanie” Singh (Premier Mobile Health Services) and Roz Barminski (Hope Clubhouse of SWFL).

• Entrepreneur of the Year: Ryan Carter of Scotlynn. As the co-owner of Scotlynn, Carter has led the company to extraordinary growth and has created hundreds of local employment opportunities. He is extremely involved in the community,

Face It Botox was named as Small Business of the Year Award Winner at the Greater Fort Myers Chamber Awards this year. The skin care business’ owner, Ryann Lavenia (Center) accepted the honor at an event held at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center.

which includes sitting on the board for Community Cooperative, Horizon Foundation and Lee Health Foundation. Additionally, Carter has a passion for education and nurturing future leaders, evident through his contributions to Florida Gulf Coast University’s Lutgert College of Business Advisory Council and Supply Chain Management Board. Other category finalists were Matthew Rebstock (Tech in a Flash) and Janelle Miley (Global Strategies).

• The Nonprofit Excellence Award was awarded to Gulf Coast Humane Society. Led by Darcy Andrade, Gulf Coast Humane Society is a no-kill animal welfare organization established as the first animal welfare organization in Southwest Florida in 1947. The shelter relies solely on donations, grants and fundraising events to further its mission of caring for the neglected and abandoned pets of Southwest Florida. In 2023, 2,284 animals were welcomed into the shelter, with 2,182 being adoptions taking place. Gulf Coast Humane Society identified

that many families could not afford the rising cost of healthcare for their pets and responded by opening an affordable Veterinary Wellness Clinic and a SpayNeuter Clinic. In 2023, nearly 14,000 animals were treated at the Veterinary Wellness Clinic and 10,000 had surgeries in the SpayNeuter Clinic. Other category finalists were Boys & Girls Club of Lee County and Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida.

• Young Professional of the Year Award: Kelly Thawley of Florida Southwestern State College. Thawley is the assistant director of workforce recruitment and scholarships and is an experienced educator, career specialist and program manager with a history of excellence in the education management industry. Her expertise spans nonprofit organizations, coaching, classroom management, college and career readiness, FAFSA and career exploration/advising. She is a board member for Our Mother’s Home and is the founder of LEAD Like a Girl. She also previously served as co-chair of the Chamber’s Women in Business Committee and as the chair for its Level HER Up event. Other category finalists were Meagan Baskin (Florida Gulf Coast University) and Melissa Mitchell (Priority Marketing).

• APEX Award: Dr. Sandra Pavelka of Florida Gulf Coast University. Pavelka serves as professor and founding director of the Institute for Youth and Justice Studies at Florida Gulf Coast University. She is the 2023 recipient of the distinguished Lois Haight Award of Excellence and Innovation by the Congressional Crime Survivors and Justice Caucus, Congress and is an internationally recognized restorative justice expert and consultant. She is extremely involved in the community, including sitting as a Pace Center for Girls, Lee advisory board member; Girls Coordinating Council, Lee County board member; chair of the Juvenile Justice Advisory Board, Twentieth Judicial Circuit; senior advisor for restorative justice for The Peace Alliance along with other organizational involvements. Other category finalists were Jeannine Joy (United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades) and Debra Mathinos (The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center).

Women in Business committee presents $31,300 to FSW State College foundation

The Greater Fort Myers Chamber’s Women in Business committee and the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce Foundation presented $31,300 to the Florida SouthWestern State College Foundation at this year’s annual Chamber Awards.

The Women in Business committee fosters professional and personal growth through networking and educational programs. The funds raised will provide scholarships for students studying at Florida SouthWestern State College with plans to enter the health care profession.

The committee raised the money during its second annual Level HER Up Conference on May 1, which featured speakers and workshops for

women to improve their health, be empowered and feel renewed.

“We are thrilled to present the FSW Foundation with these funds, which will provide life changing scholarships to aspiring students at Florida SouthWestern State College,” said Kelly Thawley, chair of the Chamber’s Level HER Up Conference and assistant director of workforce recruitment & scholarships at FSW. “Florida SouthWestern State College offers the most affordable tuition rates in Southwest Florida, and these resources will significantly contribute to the education and preparation of our future healthcare workers by providing for their tuition, textbooks, medical supplies, uniforms and lab fees.”

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Proof that family-owned manufacturers can thrive in SWFL

In August, the business magazine Inc. released its annual rankings of the country’s fastest-growing, privately held companies. The list is littered with large corporations representing health services, travel and hospitality, energy, software, construction and other industries.

I was ecstatic to see several dozen Southwest Florida businesses on the list, too. Our region is pro-business and well-positioned for future growth in many industries, including manufacturing.

I was especially excited to see a pair of businesses owned by the Daubmann family, MY Shower Door and D3 Glass, repeat as honorees. Inc. 5000 spotlights some of the nation’s biggest and bestknown brands, including the likes of Microsoft, Patagonia, Under Armour, Chobani and Facebook/ Meta. It’s difficult for family-owned businesses to compete for a spot, so to have two companies make the list in back-to-back years is an incredible

BY BILL DAUBMANN Guest Columnist

feat because you need to sustain high levels of growth year after year.

This marks the ninth time in 11 years that MY Shower Door has made the list, and the second consecutive honor for D3 Glass.

Founded in 2003, MY Shower Door designs, manufactures, installs and warranties its own brand of frameless shower doors and enclosures. The company operates nine showrooms across Florida, and recently opened its 10th location in Charlotte, North Carolina. Meanwhile, the Daubmann family founded D3 Glass in 2012 as a business specializing in the fabrication, tempering and lamination of glass to allow the business to vertically grow.

Both companies are headquartered in Fort Myers and serve all of Florida and beyond.

Locally, D3 Glass is the 10th fastest-growing company based in Southwest Florida, according to Inc., while MY Shower Door was the 11th fastestgrowing business in the region.

Whether you’re a homeowner, homebuilder or commercial contractor, MY Shower Door provides stunning shower solutions and exceptional customer service. Customers have trusted us for two decades, and our success proves that a family-owned business can compete against online retailers and national companies.

When you do right by your team and your customers, they do right by you.

Bill Daubmann is president of MY Shower Door and D3 Glass. For more information, please visit MYShowerDoor.com and D3Glass.com.

FutureMakers at Collaboratory award $15,000 to Glades foundation

FutureMakers Coalition awarded Glades Education Foundation $15,000 for Glades County Schools College & Career Readiness.

The funds will be used to help high school seniors complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid; increase the passing rate of rising seniors that have not passed at least one state mandated test through ACT/SAT boot camps; increase college tours of iTech Glades, Florida Southwestern State College, FGCU, South Florida State College and Palm Beach State College; and assist third graders in

achieving level 3 or above on PM3 district results.

“The Glades Education Foundation was founded in August 2013 with the idea that a group of education-minded volunteers could fill in the financial and material gaps in the Glades County School District,” said Rosemary Fllori, executive director of the Glades County EDC.

“As a result of fundraising and grant writing, it has been able to provide library books, classroom grants, AVID programming, STEM enrichment and much more to all the schools

in Glades County.”

FutureMakers Coalition aims to transform Southwest Florida’s workforce by increasing the proportion of skilled working age adults with college degrees, workforce certificates, industry certifications and other highquality credentials to 55%.

It is the premier regional initiative in Southwest Florida, leading a network of more than 260 individuals and 180 cross-sector partner organizations. FutureMakers Coalition is regarded as one of Florida and the nation’s most advanced collective im-

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pact networks. Collaboratory provides backbone support for FutureMakers Coalition.

“FutureMakers partners, like the Glades Education Foundation, are essential in local efforts to expand opportunity and support best practices by meeting the unique needs of our rural communities,” said Tessa LeSage, chief impact officer at the Collaboratory. “We look forward to continuing collaborations like these to achieve our shared goals to create a robust and resilient workforce and change lives in Southwest Florida.”

Like Thomas Edison, we believe there is always “a better way.”

To us, that means being attentive, invested and involved in the efforts of our community’s business owners and residents as we provide them with lending services that empower them to reach their goals.

As a bank with a 5-Star Superior Rating from Bauer Financial, we are standing strong with money to lend. With a history of long-term stability and resilience, we are absolutely committed to remaining well-positioned to honor our promises and protect our banking customers. We Make Banking About You!

Richard Shera Vice President, Residential & Consumer Loan Officer

Kim Nyberg Vice President, Professional & Executive Banking

Michael Greenhoe Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer

Greg Blurton Vice President, Sr. Commercial Loan Officer