Chamber Trends March 2017

Trends Chamber

The Official Publication of The Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral

ANNUAL CHAMBER GOLF TOURNAMENT CORAL OAKS GOLF COURSE MARCH 31ST SURFSIDE SUNSET MARKET EVERY TUESDAY AT THE SHOPS OF SURFSIDE YEAR ROUND 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM CAPE CORAL FARMERS’ MARKET AT CLUB SQUARE EVERY SATURDAY DOWNTOWN 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

To Promote and Serve Business and Community

March 2017

MARCH 2017 MARCH 2 | 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM FOOD FOR THOUGHT LUNCHEON CAPE CORAL TECHNICAL COLLEGE 360 SANTA BARBARA BLVD N, CAPE CORAL, FL MARCH 7 | 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE HOSTED BY CAPE CORAL OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOCATION POINT 57 3522 DEL PRADO BLVD, CAPE CORAL, FL MARCH 8 | 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM GENERAL MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON CAPE CORAL YACHT CLUB 5819 DRIFTWOOD PKWY, CAPE CORAL, FL MARCH 24 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM NETWORKING AT NOON FIRST COMMAND FINANCIAL SERVICES & INTEGRITY FIRST FINANCIAL GROUP 1222 SE 47TH ST, CAPE CORAL, FL MARCH 31 | 8:30 AM ANNUAL CHAMBER GOLF TOURNAMENT CORAL OAKS GOLF COURSE 1800 NW 28TH AVE, CAPE CORAL, FL SURFSIDE SUNSET MARKET THE SHOPS AT SURFSIDE TUESDAYS YEAR ROUND FROM 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM CAPE CORAL FARMERS MARKET CLUB SQUARE EVERY SATURDAY FROM 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM TO REGISTER FOR ANY OF THE ABOVE EVENTS ONLINE VISIT WWW.CAPECORALCHAMBER.COM/EVENTS

Publisher & Editor Stephanie Roberson Technology Director stephanie@capecoralchamber.com

Contributing Editors Donna S. Germain President/CEO donna@capecoralchamber.com Claudia St. Onge Business Manager cso@capecoralchamber.com Annette Siner Special Events Director annette@capecoralchamber.com Shawna Pike Membership Sales Director shawna@capecoralchamber.com Melanie Lempke Membership Services Director melanie@capecoralchamber.com Major Asselin Membership Sales major@capecoralchamber.com Lori Marlowe Welcome Center Specialist lori@capecoralchamber.com Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral P.O. Box 100747, Cape Coral, FL 33910 2051 Cape Coral Parkway, Cape Coral, FL 33904 Phone (239) 549-6900 Fax (239) 549-9609

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR ONE CHAMBER, ONE VOICE

much more!

Trish Lassiter, 2017 Chair

These are exciting times for our community. Forbes has ranked Cape Coral/Fort Myers as number one for America’s fastest growing cities of 2017!

According to Forbes, the population grew almost four percent in 2016 and predicted it will expand even more in the coming year.

Many new residential and commercial construction projects in Cape Coral are in progress and there are some exciting prospects on the horizon. One of the best ways to keep up with all of this development, to stay viable and flourish, is to get involved with the Chamber.

We will always be the voice of the business community in Cape Coral. We will continue our efforts in community and economic development initiatives and in cultivating our working relationships with the City, the CCCIA, economic and tourism boards and Lee County. We will continue to monitor, influence and lobby pro-business legislation at the local, state and federal levels of government.

We will continue to be the advocates for managed growth and quality of life. The Chamber’s government affairs, leadership development and education programs continue to receive wonderful reviews and they have made a positive impact in our community. We, as business owners, community leaders, politicians and residents share the same focus and vision: to make our city one of the most desired cities in the region to live, work and play.

The value of your Chamber membership comes in many forms for exposure and business opportunities: General membership luncheons, Business After Hours and business Card Exchange, Your involvement in the Cape Coral Chamber is critical to our Networking at Noon, Food for Thought Seminar, Golf Tournament, community’s future success, as we seek to speak for the business Taste of the Cape, Leadership Programs, CEO Roundtables, and community with a unified voice. Thank you for your partnership. I look forward to a flourishing year together!

Diamond Member Lee Health P.O. Box 2218 Fort Myers, FL 33902

Executive Member CenturyLink 2710 Del Prado Blvd S, Cape Coral Gulf Coast Village Retirement Community 1333 Santa Barbara Blvd. Cape Coral

Lee County Electric Cooperative 4980 Bayline Dr North Fort Myers, FL 33917

The News-Press - Fort Myers Office 2442 Dr. MLK Blvd. Ft. Myers

B2 Technology Solutions 1406 SE 46th Lane Cape Coral, FL 33904

Fifth Third Bank 2402 Surfside Blvd., Cape Coral, FL 33991 2724 Del Prado Blvd, Cape Coral, FL 33904 114 Hancock Bridge Pkwy, Cape Coral, FL 33991 1801 NE Pine Island Rd, Cape Coral, FL 33909 1600 Cape Coral Pkwy. E, Cape Coral, FL 33904

2017 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Trish Lassiter, Lee County Electric Coop.

Chair-Elect Joseph Francioni, The Smart Companies Treasurer Ed Bolter, Lamar Advertising Past Chair Brett Bisbe, B2 Technology Solutions, Inc Financial Advisor Tony Constantino, Constantino, Nelson and Werlin Barb Adams Keith Banasiak, Waste Pro of Florida Beverly Black, Black Business Solutions, LLC Dana Brunett, City of Cape Coral Matthew Connar, Boost Creative Angela Davis, Merrill Lynch Diane Everhart, Blue Chip Financial Julie Ferguson, Cape Coral Caring Center Cynthia Gallagher, The Breeze Newspapers Tom Hansen, Boat House of Cape Coral Tim Hauck, Fuller Metz Cremation and Funeral Services Bill Jacob, CenturyLink Bill Johnson, Jr, Cape Coral Construction Industry Assoc Jay Johnson, Bubba’s Roadhouse and Saloon Laura Koehn, CapeCoral.com Mike Quaintance, Keiser University Ed Ramos, Ramos Builders, Inc Michelle Whitlock, Siesta Pebble Pool Interiors Zachary Zeis, Storm Smart

CHAIRMAN EMERITUS Annette Carrasquillo, LAI Design Associates, LLC Wayne Kirkwood, Kirkwood Electric, Inc. Thomas Giles, Avalon Engineering Michelle Lewis, B-2 Solutions Heather Mazurkiewicz, BJM Consulting, Inc. Joseph Mazurkiewicz, BJM Consulting, Inc. Donna Meola, South Cape Hospitality Entertainment Assoc Don Schnell, Regions Bank Thomas Shipp Jr, Attorney Christopher Spiro, Spiro & Associates Elmer Tabor, Wonderland Realty/Cape Coral Town Center

TRUSTEES Major Asselin, JJ Taylor Bonnie Brett, Cape Coral Charter School Brandon Deaver, B-2 Technoloy Solutions Lissa Craig Ford, The News-Press Rana Erbrick, City of Cape Coral Keith Lewis, All Power Electric & AC Mike Noone, Goldberg, Racilla, D’Alessandro & Noone, LLC David Owen, BB & T - Oswald, Trippe & Co. Steve Sanabria, The Westin Cape Coral Sarah Sheffield, Massage Envy Molly Wright, Suncoast Beverage

CHAMBER STAFF Donna S. Germain, President Claudia St. Onge, Business Manager & Farmers’ Market Director Stephanie Roberson, Technology Director Annette Siner, Special Events Director Shawna Pike, Membership Sales Director Melanie Lempke, Membership Services Director Lori Marlow, Welcome Center Specialist

CHAMBER TRENDS and International), Facebook, Area Development Ad with Link, 5. Business YOUR CHAMBER Facilities Ad, 6. CCIM Ad and Video Loop and Southwest Florida International GROWS Donna S. Germain Airport (RSW) Video Board Ads. President/CEO

Economic Development in our city continues to grow each month and in turn creates more opportunities for you to grow your business through your Chamber membership.

Since December 2016, our membership sales team has brought in 44 new chamber members and that number continues to grow. A good portion of those new members are new businesses to our area.

According to the latest report from our city’s Economic Development Office, there were more than 50 active prospects in the pipeline. Thirteen active projects with incentives being considered. Those projects include manufacturing, corporate headquarters as well as mixed use projects.

From a retention standpoint, regular visits to local businesses are completed to ensure their success and to see if they are in need of any assistance from the City. The EDO assisted 121 businesses during the latest reporting period with issues including: site selection assistance, demographic information, assistance with permitting, impact fees, job placement, job training and assistance with financing resources.

If you know a new or existing business owner that would benefit from membership to the Chamber, please share your experience as a member or contact Shawna Pike, Membership Director or Major Asselin, Membership Sales at (239) 549-6900.

For more information on the Cape Coral Office of Economic Development, visit During the month of December, the city http://www.capecoral.net/edo/ issued a total of 101 Certificates of Use/ Business Tax Receipts. Those included 38 home-based businesses, 9 individual businesses, 47 place-based businesses and 7 non-specified businesses.

The EDO also has a number of marketing campaigns underway to promote Cape Coral including: Punta Gorda Airport Wallboard, Video and brochures, Conway Data – Lead Generation System (Domestic

JANUARY NEW MEMBERS & RENEWALS NEW MEMBERS The “O” Bar Betty Davis Advance Concepts Consulting Earl Chrysler Caldwell & Kerr Advertising Tom Kerr

Richard Moore.Experience Real Estate Richard Moore

Desai Dental Studio Member Since: 11/23/2015

SuEllen’s Floral Company Thomas Hobel

DQ Grill & Chill Member Since: 01/23/2013

The New Beginnings of SWFL, Inc Nadege Pierre

Dr. Mel Youngs, DC., PA. Member Since: 02/21/2012

WELCOME TO THE CHAMBER!

Edward Jones Investments Sam Mazzotti Member Since: 02/01/1995

Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association Lois Croft

RENEWALS

Gulf Coast Indoor Billboards LLC Phil Orenstein

911Buddy Member Since: 01/26/2016

Gulf Med Pharmacy Guerdith Fertil

Abuse Counseling and Treatment, Inc Member Since: 12/05/2007

House 2 Home Goods Bill Demkow

Achieva Credit Union Cape Coral Parkway West Member Since: 01/31/2013

Imagine Wellness Spa Carleen McIlveen Island Coast Mortgage JB Broughton Island Decor & More Judy Bicking Islandside Animal Hospital Nicole Nichols Lewis P. Tabarrini Children’s Music Outreach Foundation Angel Sanchez McQueen Improvement Solutions Elizabeth McQueen P2 Personal Training Patty Cummings Point 57 Matt Arnold

Floridian Insurance Agency Member Since: 08/18/2008 Hunt’s Lawn & Landscape Member Since: 12/31/2015 Kinetic Thoughts LLC Member Since: 01/28/2010 Lee Health Member Since: 09/01/1991

Achieva Credit Union Del Prado Boulevard Member Since: 01/31/2013

Merrick Seafood Member Since: 02/11/2012

Adirondack Chocolatier Member Since: 10/31/2014

Miloff Aubuchon Property Management Members Since: 02/18/2009

Airmark Air Conditioning, Inc Member Since: 02/12/2012

Miloff Aubuchon Realty Group Member Since: 02/18/2009

Beltone Hearing Care Center Member Since: 10/30/2014

North Nicholas High School Member Since: 02/02/2011

Boats and Fun Member Since: 01/22/2011

Patriot Pets & Supplies of Florida, LLC Member Since: 01/28/2015

Cape Cabaret Member Since: 01/29/2016

Priority Payments South Florida Member Since: 11/10/2014

Cape Coral Social Club Member Since: 02/23/2009

Rasmussen College Member Since: 02/07/2013

Regions Bank Cape Coral Parkway East Member Since: 10/04/2013 Schooner Bay Realty, Inc Member Since: 01/12/2011 Siesta Pebble Pool Interiors Member Since: 11/21/2011 St. Andrew Catholic Church & School Member Since: 11/01/2001

The Aubuchon Team of Companies Member Since: 11/01/1995 The Windsor of Cape Coral Member Since: 02/25/2010 Windfall, Inc. Member Since: 04/12/2013 Wright Construction Group Member Since: 02/25/2012

THANK YOU FOR YOUR RENEWALS!

HOST A NETWORKING EVENT IN 2017 Business Card Exchange Networking at Noon

Business After Hours

For the early birds, the Business Card Exchange is designed for those who cannot get away midday or for those looking for the extra early morning networking from 7:30am. You will find members passionate about networking the first Tuesday of each month at the Business Card Exchange Networking Event.

Join your fellow Chamber members for the Business After Hours Networking Event from 5:30pm - 7:30pm. Enjoy the opportunity to network with 100+ members. We always have networking activities, great giveaways and sponsorship opportunities to expose your business.

AVAILABLE HOST DATES October 3 November 7 December 5

Join your fellow Chamber members the forth Friday of each month from 12:00pm - 1:00pm for Networking at Noon. Enjoy the opportunity to network with other chamber members and potential customers during the lunch hour.

AVAILABLE HOST DATES May 26 June 23 July 28 August 25 September 22

AVAILABLE HOST DATES March 16 July 20 August 17 September 21 October 19

To host a networking event in 2017 or for questions regarding each of these opportunties, contact Shawna Pike, Membership Sales Director at (239) 549-6900 x103 or shawna@capecoralchamber.com

Looking to Hire?

Network Administration Maintenance Agreements Off-site Data Storage Dell, Acer, Apple (239) 573-1000 www.entechcomputers.com

Let us give you a helping hand Use the chambers online Job Bank If you need more information about the chamber Job Bank, please contact Stephanie Roberson at (239) 699-8442 or stephanie@capecoralchamber.com http://web.capecoralchamber.com/jobbank

RIBBON CUTTINGS World Famous Cigar Bar, Paul Staab 1311 Cape Coral Parkway E (239) 471-0294

Island Decor & More 814 SW Pine Island Rd Unit 211 (239) 573-6343

Keep Lee County Beautiful, Inc, Trish Fancher 1560 Matthew Drive www.klcb.org | (239) 334-3488

Holiday Builders, Kim Howard 290 Nicholas Parkway NW www.homebuilders.com

Tarpon Air Conditioning 424 SE 47th Terrace, Unit B www.tarponairconditioning.com | (239) 673-8888

Whether You Just Joined or Just Renewed Your Membership, Schedule Your Ribbon Cutting Today by Calling our Membership Director, Shawna Pike at (239) 549-6900 x103

UNIVERSITY TRENDS LIVING WITH ETHICS IN THE stakeholders perceive a lack of ethical behavior in a business, it often signals a decline in business success because stakeholders WORLD OF BUSINESS Mike “Q” Quaintance, MBA, CCE Keiser University, Fort Myers Campus Business and Hospitality Department Chair

Recently, there was a news story where a recreational vehicle (RV) was being serviced by an auto repair shop.

The auto repair shop needed to stow the vehicle in a vacant lot adjacent to its place of business, and the employee who moved the vehicle to the vacant lot neglected to lock the RV door. A homeless person moved into the RV through the open door, passed away, and was not discovered for several days. There were about $6,000 of damage to the vehicle due to the decomposition of the corpse. The shop owner’s insurance refused to compensate the RV owner, saying the repair shop’s insurance did not cover an incident like this. The shop owner did not offer to compensate the RV owner for the damages, even though the repair shop was negligent for not locking the RV door.

If you were the auto repair shop owner, what would you do?

If you were the RV customer, what would you expect? What do the numerous and highly visible ethical lapses by large businesses over the last twenty years suggest to society in regard to business ethics?

Ethics have to do with one’s behavior, specifically one’s ethical and moral behavior in respect to society. Society measures ethicality by comparing specific actions with generally accepted social standards. Ethics is a top-down behavior in an organization, suggesting that leadership sets the bar. Ethics within the organization are often aligned; if not, employees through a separation process find their ethical alignment elsewhere. When

lose trust in the business.

Business ethics are contagious in an organization, and they can assist employees in distinguishing right from wrong at work.

Employee ethics reflect overall on the business as employees interact daily with stakeholders such as customers and vendors.

What academics believe is that society perceives there is an absence of business ethics, leading to a tremendous focus on ethics in all subjects across the academic front.

Our ethics are established early in life and reinforced by our life’s experience, which are internalized standards that are often based on personal religious and/or philosophical understandings of ethics and morality. Some academics suggest that storytelling can help change or better align employees’ ethical and moral compasses because stories illustrate desired behaviors and examine the unintended consequences of unethical behaviors.

Some of us who are more seasoned human-beings might remember early television programs like Aesop’s Fables, David and Goliath, or Lassie, which infused our youth with ethical and moral principles. Some of us may have read religious stories like “God Made Light,”“A Wolf at the Gate,” or “Donkeys and Kings: And Other Tails of the Bible.” Regardless of your early life experiences, the concept of storytelling can be an effective way to help improve the levels of moral and ethical thinking and behaviors at any age. The moral of the story is as business leaders it might behoove us to review Dr. Seuss in order to learn the art and science of telling the story.

As always, the author is available to receive your questions and feedback at mquaintance@keiseruniversity.edu.

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Fee Includes: 18 holes of golf, carts, breakfast, polo shirt, drinks on the course, chance for prizes at specialty holes & lunch

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______________________________ Name on card All Check maid payable to : Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral Please mail form to: Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral 2051 Cape Coral Pkwy E. Cape Coral, FL 33904

__________ Zip Code

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Payment Type: Check

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Player Three Name: _____________________________ Shirt Size: (circle one) S M L XL 2XL not on here? email us.

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Single Player $150 Foursome $500; Team Name: ___________________

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Schedule of Events

HEALTHY TRENDS

HOW NOT TO DIE

The clinical evidence shows that heart disease starts very early. In America, lifestyle has a significant impact on the development of many illnesses, including all the cardiovascular diseases mentioned.

The term cardio metabolic disease is now being used to include the If you haven’t yet read Dr. metabolic changes which occur as a result of high fats in the blood, Michael Greger’s book How not high blood sugar (which often is also found in a person with high to Die, please do so as soon as cholesterol) and being overweight. you can. His book is filled with thousands of clinical references One chapter that is missing from Dr. Greger’s book is “How not to and recommendations on how die from obesity.” Hundreds, if not thousands, of clinical research to stay healthy and how to live studies have proven the significant health consequences of obesity. a long, enjoyable life. When it In America, the obesity rate is over 30% for adults and the number comes to health, the goal is to stay healthy as one grows older so continues to rise also for adolescents and younger children. It is as to maintain a high level of physical and intellectual function. very unfortunate to see that young kids are now being diagnosed Sometimes I hear people say that health is the absence of disease; with Type 2 Diabetes, which has always been a disease of adults. yet, this definition is limited. If you do not have a disease and you This is the result of obesity, the standard America diet and the sedentary lifestyles that so many kids and adults live today. are not fully functional, then you are not optimally healthy.

Salvatore Lacagnina, D.O. Vice President of Health & Wellness, Lee Memorial Health System

Dr. Greger’s book is written in chapters dedicated to one body system at a time. He writes about how not to die from heart disease, lung problems, immune dysfunction, etc. He focuses on the cause of an illness and helps the reader to understand the risk factors and then how to decrease these risk factors in an attempt to avoid getting the disease in the first place.

Since heart disease is the number one killer in America today, let’s start by looking at what the clinical evidence shows about the development of what is better termed cardiovascular disease, and even more specifically, cardio metabolic disease. CVD/ cardiovascular diseases include heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, vascular insufficiency in the legs, and even erectile dysfunction and dementia. When blood flow to any organ is not optimal, illness occurs. Blood flow problems develop as a result of elevated LDL (bad cholesterol) which, when oxidized enters the inner walls of the arteries which then causes inflammation and sets up a series of chemical reactions resulting in arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). This results in high blood pressure and reduced blood flow. Plaque develops in the arteries; and, if the plaque occludes the artery, or if a piece of the plaque breaks loose, blood flow downstream is significantly diminished and the individual has either a heart attack or a stroke.

The second most common cause of death in the U.S. is cancer.

There is a chapter entitled “How not to die from breast cancer,” another on prostate cancer and another on blood borne cancers.

Each chapter details the risk factors and then explains how a change in lifestyle positively affects these cancers by lowering the associated risks. One interesting point in the chapter on breast cancer is the association with Melatonin (the so called sleep hormone) production. A study published in the International Archives of Occupational & Environmental Health in 2015 reports on the increased incidence of breast cancer in women who live a lifestyle whereby their Melatonin production is decreased such as night workers or those who do not sleep well. Melatonin is thought to play a role in suppression of cancer cells. Researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston found that blind women have just half the odds of breast cancer as sighted women; since they essentially live in darkness, their Melatonin production is higher. This chapter also reviews the details of why inadequate fiber in the diet may increase the risk of breast cancer (European Journal of Nutrition, 2013). A report in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute from 2013 stated that every 20 grams of fiber intake was associated with a 15% lower risk of breast cancer. From these studies, it is helpful to know that improving sleep and increasing fiber in the diet may lower a women’s risk of breast cancer.

HEALTHY TRENDS CONTINUED

The chapter on prostate cancer details the different rate of prostate cancer around the world. African Americans have a 30 times greater rate of prostate cancer as compared to Japanese men and a 120 times greater rate over Chinese men. A study in the Journal Prostate 1997 explains that this might be due to the higher intake of animal protein and fat in the African men. One apparent protective factor in the diet of the Asian men is thought to be soy.

This information is detailed as a meta-analysis in the Journal BJU International 2014. A meta-analysis is a review of many different research studies.

One interesting question posed in Dr. Greger’s book is: why do centenarians (people who live beyond 100 years of age) seem to escape cancer? The answer seems to be related to the level of a growth hormone substance called IgF-1. The section in chapter 13 explains that the function of IgF-1 is to stimulate the development and growth of cells. As we age, the levels of IgF-1 normally decline since we do not need to produce as many cells. Certain individuals with higher than normal IgF-1 appear to have a higher risk of cancer, including prostate cancer. One factor associated with

higher levels of IgF-1 is animal protein. Chapter 13 explains how limiting meat, eggs and dairy lowers the level of IgF-1 and thereby decreases the risk of cancer (see reference in Evidence Based Complement Alternative Medicine 2011).

What is so enlightening to me about Dr. Greger’s book is the clinical references and how he supports his statements with research studies done by a wide variety of authors across academic, private and public research sectors. When it comes to making recommendations on how we can stay healthy and how not to die from the myriad of ways people die in the world today, all we have to rely on is valid, scientific, clinical evidence. Health recommendations should not be about one’s opinion on what to do or what not to do. It must be based on reproducible, scientific facts.

As stated, in Dr. Greger’s book, there are thousands of references supporting the statements in each chapter. As a physician, I have nothing to gain by recommending everyone read his book, other than the sheer joy knowing that people will be able to become and stay well if they follow even half of the recommendation in his book titled “How not to Die”.

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REAL ESTATE TRENDS

IS IT QUIET WHERE YOU ARE TOO? Berge Aslanian (CDPE) Realtor, Island Harbor Realty

of materials, labor, permits and fees has increased regularly, new homes are costing well upwards of $140 per square foot including the lot. Prices are up and rising while the number of homes and condos sold are actually very low.

We are in the midst of our high season and most realtors (including this one) think that there must be a problem with their phone service.

That little instrument just isn’t ringing like it should and like it has in the past at this time of year. What could it be? We will examine what has caused ringers to stop ringing as much as they should.

When looking at the numbers we need to figure out what they mean. From a realtor’s perspective, the numbers do not bode well.

An estimated 5,700+ realtors are selling in Cape Coral. For the 30 days ending 2/24/17 there were 387 homes and condos sold. That means there was one sale for each 14.7 realtors. The prior two months were just as bad for realtors. It is not easy to make a living under those circumstances unless you have other resources or other streams of income; I’ll bet that at least 5000 of those realtors Looking at the Cape Coral numbers for the past three months do not have either one. could help explain things a bit. Here are the numbers for Cape Coral residential real estate for the three month period ending Now, looking from the consumer side one can easily see that with 2/24/2017: rising prices, buying sooner is much better than buying later. As a seller, waiting to sell should generate a higher sales price if you can find someone to buy. The downside is that waiting to make more money on your sale will cost you more when you go to buy another home in which to live.

The number of single family homes for sale shows a slight The bottom line is that this year has been squirrely. Folks who increase with median prices holding firm. The number of homes typically come from up North to visit and buy are just not pulling sold slightly increased and the median prices continue to climb. the trigger as frequently as they have in the past. Could it be that they are waiting to see how some of the new promised tax benefits Condo inventory for sale slightly decreased with median prices and reductions will impact them? Have they gotten tired of false staying steady. The number of condos sold increased by 48% over promises over the past eight years and now want to see before the prior month and the median price of condos sold increased they believe it and act on it? In all fairness, our new administration 15% over the prior month. has only been in office about a month; expecting huge results so soon is very unreasonable. Experts suggest it will take six to nine As mentioned last month, most buyers keep searching for those months after changes are enacted before we start seeing the lower priced condos and single family houses. If cheaper houses benefit of those changes. are not available, it appears that buyers are then purchasing condos within their meager budgets. But, the prices of condos We are expecting corporate tax reductions and capital gains tax have dramatically increased too, although they are not as high as reductions soon. Those decreases will lubricate the economy by houses and therefore appear more affordable. providing money that will be added to our economy via corporate and consumer spending. None of this happens overnight, it takes Earlier this week the Florida Association of Realtors mentioned time for these positive changes to trickle through initially and then in one of their newsletter articles that the median price of single trigger greater and greater spending. That spending stimulates family homes sold in Florida has risen to $220,000. Wow, we passed economic growth. The past eight years our GDP averaged less than that number awhile ago and we still are climbing. Because the cost

REAL ESTATE TRENDS CONTINUED investors in this market are the builders. They have great sensitivity to how our real estate is trending because their livelihood depends on it. Just look around and see all of the new construction going up. Builders can’t afford to gamble the huge amounts of money it takes to build all of those new homes. They are building because Most people I know have watched their net worth decrease over there is a strong demand for their products. Their crystal ball the past eight years. In order for them to feel confident enough anticipates the coming changes going on all around us now. to make significant buying and selling decisions, they need to see Want to benefit by all of this trending knowledge? Talk with economic stability and even growth. your trusted advisers to verify what smart investors are already Add to all this the fact mortgage rates have increased and will doing. To buy and sell real estate for investment or residence will probably continue to increase as the Fed bumps the interest rates be much easier with an experienced real estate professional. Make by quarter percentage points. Banking regulations are under their phone ring! Always remember, successful real estate IS a scrutiny and will experience some changes too. Since we are team sport. Happy Property Buying and Selling! still close to low historical mortgage rates, buying now if you are Berge Aslanian (CDPE) is a Realtor in Cape Coral with Island comfortable is a solid move toward economic success, especially in Harbor Realty. For questions about residential real estate, please light of steadily rising prices and mortgage rates. call (239) 989-3463 or email realtorberge@att.net or visit www.

“The times they are a changing” and smart investors seeing that RECapeCoral.com. then act accordingly. Oh, one more thing. Some of the smartest 1.5% per quarter; so far in one month with our new president, we are showing 2.8% and increasing. Historically the US economy is healthy when experiencing GDP of 3% or more. We are approaching it but we are not yet there.

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NETWORKING HIGHLIGHTS BUSINESS AFTER HOURS Thank you to our February Business After Hours Host B2 Solutions Technology for hosting another great networking opportunity for our Chamber Members.

Join us on the third Thursday of each month at the Business After Hours networking event.

******************* GENERAL MEMBERSHIP LUNCH The second Wednesday of each month is our General Membership Luncheon Meeting. February 8th luncheon was held at Duffy’s of Cape Coral with guest speaker Dr Doni Landefeld with Metamorphosis Coaching LLC. Dr Landefeld discussed The Rapture of Optimism: Tricks to be More Effective and Enhance Your Well-Being.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS GOVERNMENT AFFECTS YOU Julie E. Ferguson Chairperson 2017 Chairperson Government Affairs Committee

It is important to keep in touch with what our local elected officials are doing for our City. Building relationships with our local officials can be a resource that pay dividends and grows business.

That is good for all in our community.

Please plan to attend the April General Membership Luncheon of the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral. The Government Affairs Please mark your calendar now for April 12th, 2017 and join us Committee will be hosting “Speed Networking with a Political for “Speed Networking with a Political Twist”. Bring your concerns, Twist”. Each attendee will get an opportunity to visit with our challenges and questions for our local elected officials. They are elected officials in a small group setting. elected to represent us and they need to know what you think!

Government, especially local, affects our businesses and getting Together the voice of our strong Chamber membership can make an opportunity to “Speed Network” with our local officials can help a difference! us deal with issues that might be keeping our businesses from good growth.

Your Government Affairs Committee Working Hard For Our Members

Government Affects You!

CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION

MEET YOUR CHAMBER STAFF LORI MARLOWE

Welcome Center Specialist lori@capecoralchamber.com | (239) 549-6900 x102 Lori Marlowe comes from the South side of Chicago and residents to shop locally, increases the chance new businesses moved to Cape Coral Florida in 2004. She has a background will open in the area and promotes growth”. She also promotes in Investigations, Financial, Real Estate, and Title Companies. Neighborhood Crime Watch and is a a member of SpotCrime in She is also a small business owner who loves to cook and is a Cape Coral. dog lover. She lives with her husband Scott and two (2) jack russell terriers; Beggar T. Anne and Bogart Jr. Marlowe started working for the Chamber of Commerce in October 2016 as the Welcome Center Specialist. She is in Marlowe loves promoting community and economic growth charge of maintaining members information in the welcome in her neighborhood and encourages people to engage in center as well as assists with annual membership renewals. helping in the community for things that they desire and believe in; she likes to find positive aspects of the community Please reach out to Lori and welcome her to the Chamber! to share with other people. “A positive image encourages

MAJOR ASSELIN Membership Sales major@capecoralchamber.com | (239) 549-6900 x110 Major Asselin is originally from Burlington Vermont and organizations. recently joined the Chamber of Commerce team in February.

Asselin is active in the role of Membership Sales to promote Asselins goal with the Chamber is to use the skills and chamber growth by continuing to grow our orgainzation by knowledge he’s learned in previous positions to increase membership, market visibility, and add value to current bringing in new members. membership wherever he can.

Formally with J.J. Taylor Companies Inc. as Marketing Director, Digital Media and Design Manager, and Special Events Director Please reach out to Major any time if you have any membership he holds several different certifications in the beverage and questions, sales inquiries, or are interested in advertising in hospitality industry, a degree in Graphic Design and Digital the Welcome Center/Chamber Lobby.

Marketing, and involve myself with several different charity

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