Gulfshore Business August 2021

P.72

P.76

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REGIONAL OFFICE MARKET

MEDICAL MILESTONE

LOCAL ENTREPRENEUR

Outlook improving for commercial real estate

Proton therapy center planned in SW Florida

ScotLynn founder values hard work, good team

SOUTHWEST F LO R I DA’ S BEST VIEW OF BUSINESS

BIDDING ON FUTURE

Lee, Collier economic development incentives _____ __ P.

30

DIFFERENT AV E N U E S

Bonita Beach Road poised for future growth _____ __ P.

BEST OF BUSINESS 2021 ANNUAL LOCAL WINNERS, FINALISTS RECOGNIZED P_ 54

42

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K

Contents.

F E AT U R E S

P. 30

P.42

P. 54

BIDDING ON

DIFFERENT

BEST OF

THE FUTURE

AVENUES

BUSINESS

Lee, Collier counties refocus economic development efforts amid changes

Development along Bonita Beach Road spurs continued growth

Ninth annual recognition of the best in Southwest Florida

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Thank you for voting us a finalist in Gulfshore Business’s Best of Business for: • Best Trust and Estate Law Firm • Best Real Estate, Land Use and Zoning Law Firm • Best Labor and Employment Law Firm • Best Corporate and Business Law Firm Back row: Katherine English, Charles Mann, Christina Harris Schwinn, Christopher Shields, Neale Montgomery, Frank Pavese Jr., Steven Hartsell. Front row: Charles Pope, Mary Vlasak Snell, Chené Thompson, Charles Capps.

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Contents.

D E PA R T M E N T S

TakeNote Spaces P. 12 Makers P. 14 Creatives P. 20 Bookmark P. 22 Trendline P. 24 Economic Commentary P. 26

P. 12

B2B P 70

EDUCATION Offering students a way to get ahead in the workplace P 72

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE Things are looking up in the local office market— especially in the longstruggling Naples area P 76

HEALTH CARE Advocate Radiation Oncology establishes SWFL’s first proton therapy center P 78

HUMAN RESOURCES The American Rescue Plan Act: What You Need

P.14

to Know P 82

ENTREPRENEURSHIP Scotlynn’s Ryan Carter values hard work and a good team

P.20

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gulfshorebusiness.com

AFTER HOURS

P 88

HORSEPOWER The luxurious 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB P 90

FITNESS Kayaking for health and pleasure P 96

NEW & NOTEWORTHY BMW-inspired shades provide clear vision for drivers P 97

WEEKEND GETAWAY The inland caverns of Devil’s Den offer a wilderness excursion P 104

UNWIND Retreats for body and soul

p_90 FITNESS Options abound for kayaking in SWFL

Y

&

W

N

O R T

H

NEW

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O T E

G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2021 5

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CIRCUL AT ION Dir ec tor of Audience Development K er r i Nolan

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HBK professionals are experts in a wide range of financial services, working together with our clients to improve the performance and productivity of their businesses to determine where they want to go and how they will get there.

Together with you, every step of the way.

Volume 26/Number 8, August, Gulfshore Business (ISSN 1935-8199), is published 12 times a year by Gulfshore Life Media, 26101 Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs, FL 34134.

Accounting | Assurance | Tax | Valuation | Wealth Advisory | Corporate Finance | Consulting

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Letters Send letters to

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Gulfshore Business, Gulfshore Business,

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pressive surge of projects underway and still to come.

Bonita Springs isn’t the only part of the

from the editor.

area undergoing expansion, either—Lee

AUGUST 2021

and Collier counties each have experienced major gains in recent years with announcements of large investments by companies expanding in the area. Such companies include NeoGenomics and its plans to build a $60 million international headquarters, resulting in another 295 employees; Scotlynn USA Division Inc.,

Spotlight on SWFL Success

spending $20 million on expansion and a corporate headquarters, hiring 140 employees; Arthrex spending more than $60 million to expand its North Naples headquarters, adding more than 750 workers;

VICTORIOUS BUSINESSES AND VISIONS OF FUTURE GROWTH This issue celebrates Gulfshore Business’ ninth annual Best of Business recipients, as readers

and packaging supply company Uline with its plans to build a $70 million disHEIDI RAMBO CENTRELLA EDITOR IN CHIEF

tribution center near Interstate 75 that will bring more than 200 jobs. While all of these investments in our backyards will

cast votes for their favorite representatives of 35

generate substantial revenue for city and

categories across six industries. The winners and

county coffers, there remain questions

finalists, representing a total of 105 businesses rec-

surrounding the incentives local govern-

ognized, are listed beginning on page 54. The Best

ments are offering for such grand moves,

of Business issue is one we look forward to each

and how best to organize and present

year with much anticipation, as it gives thousands

them—or whether they’re a good idea at

of participants a chance to share deserved recogni-

all. Brett Blackledge digs into the details

tion for local businesses. We congratulate all of the

behind incentivizing businesses to relo-

recipients for their hard work, talent and dedica-

cate or expand here on page 30.

tion to serving Southwest Florida.

We’re all witnessing continued growth

This month, we also take a look into the expan-

and development in Southwest Flori-

sive development seen along Bonita Beach Road in

da, and some are no doubt more excited

the “Different Avenues” feature on page 42. The road that once started at Old 41 and only extended west to the beach has seen much development moving east—where city officials and developers hope to create a “majestic parkway,” a destination and multimodal connector for the city’s main east-

p.54 SIMPLY THE BEST We congratulate the ninth annual Best of Business recipients.

about it than others. Regardless, the region is changing, the sands are shifting and the towns as many once knew them are evolving. We don’t know exactly what the business landscape will look like 10 years from now, or even next year … but

west route that stretches more than 10 miles. Tim

we look forward to continuing to honor

Aten explores the massive growth this corridor has

the local businesses that will be thriving

seen over relatively recent years and notes the im-

in our community.

8 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

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Why… T H A N K F U L T O You!

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Community IS OUR COMMITMENT

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Action Annual Charity Golf Tournament Our Annual Charity Golf Tournament raises over $100,000 each year for locallybased organizations focused on children’s education, health and wellbeing. Since its inception in 2009, our Tournament has raised over $900,000 to benefit local children in need.

Dedication As community bankers, we are steadfast in our commitment to support local businesses and organizations that assist and enrich the areas we serve. Our team worked diligently around the clock to secure over $265 million in funding for over 2750 small businesses and organizations through the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program, which impacted over 32,000 jobs in our communities.

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p_14 Superfoods grown by Florida MicroGreens

TakeNote SPACES | MAKERS | CREATIVES | BOOKMARK TRENDLINE | ECONOMIC COMMENTARY

Artists Unite SHELL POINT RETIREMENT COMMUNITY’S NEW MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR ARTS CENTER Brian Tietz

p_12

By Melanie Pagan

TakeNote

AUGUST 2021

S PA C E S

By Melanie Pagan

Artists Unite INSIDE SHELL POINT RETIREMENT COMMUNITY’S NEW MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR ARTS CENTER The new creative hub at Shell Point Retirement

around the building,” Lee says. “It creates nice visual images of

Community gives residents plenty of space to let

balance and composition the more you engage around the site.”

their inner artists play. “The purpose of the new

The contemporary-style building sets the tone for an industri-

Tribby Arts Center is to nurture the creative spirit

al interior designed by Wegman Design Group, with white and

and engage the mind,” says Martin Schappell, Shell

black accents warmed by oak. Amber Caton, senior designer at

Point president and CEO. “We saw the increasing

Wegman Design Group, explains, “We really wanted to create

value these programs brought to resident life and

this clean and modern environment to act as a backdrop for all

wanted to provide a center that would allow all of

of the artists working in this space, but we also wanted to have

the groups to come together in one dedicated space

features that would really inspire them.”

that would encourage and enhance their creative experiences.”

Designers opted for a custom terrazzo pattern to match two kinetic sculptures from Washington artist Andrew Carson in the

The $25 million property opened in February as

atrium, and an awning with clean black lines to play up the slight

a dedicated space for creative activities Shell Point

French feel of the first floor Tribby Café. With input from the

residents have enjoyed over the years. It boasts

residents, the facility is just as functional as it is fancy. “We real-

nine visual, performing and literary arts studios,

ly wanted to make sure they felt heard, and we provided a space

plus rotating art galleries, a shop and a café. The

that worked really well for them,” Caton says.

two-story, 44,000-square-foot facility flaunts an

Creating the large-scale venue called for a lot of communi-

asymmetrical design by Chris Lee, principal ar-

cation; Lee called it a collaborative integrated team design ap-

chitect and president of Southwest Florida-based

proach that really carried through both inside and out, as exem-

Christopher J. Lee Architects Inc. “The asymme-

plified in the 400-seat theater called Connie Brown Hall. Lee

try presents different perspectives as you move

worked with two sets of specialists—theater design consultants TSG Design Solutions and architectural acoustical design consultants Siebein Associates Inc.—for the right sound setup in the multipurpose room.

Weiss, fine and performing arts manager. The public is invited to check the theater out for themselves when Shell Point hosts its annual concert series in November.

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Courtesy Tribby Arts Center

“[It] has fantastic acoustics, great sightlines and the capability to offer major musical and theatrical productions,” says Michael

Tribby Arts Center at Shell Point Retirement Community 15101 Shell Point Blvd., Fort Myers Shell Point is the largest single-site continuing care retirement community in Florida, and the second largest in the country, with 2,500 residents and more than 1,100 employees, according to the company.

Project Partners Architect: Christopher J. Lee Architects Inc., Fort Myers General Contractor: Gates Construction, Bonita Springs Structural Engineers: Liebl & Barrow, Fort Myers Mechanical/ Electrical Engineers: Energy Concepts of Southwest Florida, Fort Myers Interior Designers: Wegman Design Group, Naples Theater Design Consultants: TSG Design Solutions, West Palm Beach Architectural Acoustical Design Consultants: Siebein Associates Inc., Gainesville Landscape Architects: Stantec, Naples Site/Civil Engineer: Hole Montes, Fort Myers



A GRAND PRODUCTION The public will have access to the theater, art galleries, shops and café, but the artist studios will remain private sanctuaries for Shell Point residents to create.

G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2021 1 3

TakeNote

AUGUST 2021

MAKERS

B y J u s t i n P a p ro c k i

Micro Might LOCAL FLAVOR GROWING AT FLORIDA MICROGREENS

You likely don’t think much about

Florida MicroGreens is unique for

microgreens in your meal. Maybe

the area: It’s an urban vertical hy-

they’ve been a garnish on your plate,

droponic farm based in Cape Coral.

or perhaps you’ve had a salad filled

That means all the growing happens

with shoots of arugula or Swiss

indoors, with trays of microgreens

chard. It’s just one part of a meal—

grown on shelves then distributed to

but for Florida MicroGreens and

restaurants and caterers throughout

owners Rob Epple and Rachel She-

Southwest Florida.

menski, it’s become a big part of a

tion company, Epple had spent years

Robb Epple

thriving business.

Also the owner of a video produc-

1 4 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

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SUPER PLANTS Rachel Shemenski, left, plants wasabi seeds on hemp mats. Florida MicroGreens’ ‘Super Food’ plants, above, is a mix of broccoli, kale, radish and buckwheat lettuce; tray of brown speckled peas, top right.

G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2021 1 5

TakeNote MAKERS

SHADES OF FLAVOR Red mammoth cabbage and speckled peas add a splash of nutritious color.

playing around with hydroponics, or growing plants in nutrient-rich water rather than soil. The farm-to-table movement was catching on, and people were looking for locally sourced food.

Typically, restaurants get microgreens shipped in from California, and they only last a couple days after opening their plastic clamshell. But growing locally means they can be delivered quicker and stay fresh for days longer, he said.

By 2016, Epple and Shemenski saw the business opportunity, and soon were delivering to dozens of restaurants in Southwest Florida.

Like anyone in the food and beverage business, Florida MicroGreens had to take a step back during the pandemic Robb Epple

as restaurants shuttered and cut costs.

They’ve shifted into teaching; hosting 1 6 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

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TakeNote MAKERS

“ WE WAN TED TO D O S OME T HING MORE T HAN JUST G ROW— W E WAN TED TO EDUCAT E PEOPLE IN S OME T HING THAT ’S EN VI RON MEN TA LLY F R I END LY.” — Rob Epple

GREEN GOODNESS Rob Epple and Rachel Shemenski grow microgreens at their hydroponic farm based in Cape Coral.

classes at their hydroponic farm and even organizing a kids’ summer camp that emphasizes the science behind growing plants. They also have plans to expand outside of the area, with a 5,000-square-foot facility in Tennessee where they can farm and host additional classes and camps.

They found that their real joy in their work comes from teaching. “We wanted to do something more than just grow— we wanted to educate people in something that’s environmentally friendly,”

Robb Epple

Epple says. “It’s our way of giving back.”

1 8 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

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TakeNote

AUGUST 2021

C R E AT I V E S

By Melanie Pagan

No Place for Waste SUSTAINABILITY, COMMUNITY FUEL SHEPARDSON’S BUSINESS ENDEAVORS The zero-waste industry is expanding as consumers

Locally, Cathy Shepardson wants to help eco-conscious

and corporations become more aware of the envi-

entrepreneurs jump on board by sharing secrets she

ronment and human health. So much so, big busi-

learned while opening her own store, Conscious Space. Lo-

nesses such as General Motors, Microsoft, Sierra

cated at 16387 S. Tamiami Trail, Unit G, in Fort Myers, it’s

Nevada and more have committed to zero-waste

billed as the area’s only zero-waste store and apothecary,

initiatives.

sourcing two-thirds of its products directly from local makers. “I wanted to provide sustainable options all around, while mostly empowering the local economy and makers,” Shepardson says.

Conscious Space, which offers environmentally friendly alternatives to everyday items from kitchenware to body care, was a somewhat serendipitous venture for Shepardson. She fell into the zero-waste lifestyle while studying business at Florida Gulf Coast University and began selling handmade products out of her car through her first business, Mango Earth. Met with high demand, she opened Conscious Space in fall 2019 to provide more items made by like-minded community members, many of whom she met at college.

“There wasn’t resistance,” Shepardson says. “It was a blessing because I know of so many people trying to start businesses, and they don’t have an audience already. They have to build those pieces, whereas they just kind of appeared to me, and I had to work around it.” make it easier for tomorrow’s small business owners to set up shop. Ideally, she said, she and a panel of entrepreneurs

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Brian Tietz

Shepardson is planning a sustainable business class to

“I WAN T ED T O P ROV I D E SU STAI NAB L E O P T I ONS ALL AROUN D, WH I LE M O STLY EM P OWER ING T H E LO CAL EC ONO M Y A N D M AK ER S.” — Cathy Shepardson



ZERO WASTE Cathy Shepardson plans a sustainable business class to help eco-conscious entrepreneurs launch their own small businesses.

of Conscious Space. Nearly 20 vendors provided shoppable goods, from fresh farmed produce to handmade jewelry.

She’s now hosting them on the first Sunday of each month.

And with help from her regenerative gardening group, Gaia’s Gardeners, Shepardson aims to build a community

would discuss what they’ve learned about the zero-waste

garden from plastic bottles filled with waste (known as bot-

market. “There are so many barriers of entry in this kind of

tle bricking). Recently, Shepardson collected more than

field because it’s just not common,” she says.

700 trash-filled bottles people donated from near and far

Shepardson broke down the wall of the unit she pur-

in response to an awareness campaign she posted on social

chased next door to make space for events. However, as of

media. The zero-waste concept may still be catching on,

May, workshop plans were still paused due to the pandemic.

but Shepardson’s creative initiatives are planting the seeds

“I’m holding off to gather until the public seems ready,” she

in Southwest Florida.

says. In the meantime, she’s found other ways to rally the

“Community growing is kind of my thing,” Shepardson

community and educate the public on zero-waste options.

says. “People are so willing. They’re just looking for some-

She hosted her first farmers market May 2 in the parking lot

one to guide them.”

G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2021 2 1

TakeNote

AUGUST 2021

BOOKMARK

RALPH READS

Persistence and Prejudice EXAMINATIONS OF SCIENTIFIC TRIUMPHS AND SOCIAL TRAPS Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier were in a race. They didn’t know each other and lived on separate continents, but each of them

an avid reader

had chosen to explore the unknown field of RNA (Ribonucleic Acid) because the broader scientific community considered it a dead end and had fo-

by the need to keep the funding and

cused on DNA instead. Doudna and Charpentier

grants for research coming in. What

Sausage, leads a

decided to risk their careers by pursuing this new

was once considered the backwater

book club in Naples

field. As the old adage says, the greater the risk, the

of microbiology rapidly became its

with about a dozen

greater the glory. This is the stuff that Nobel prizes

Amazon. Walter Isaacson master-

other high-power

are made of. Each started making interesting dis-

fully tells this story in his new book,

friends. The group

coveries and published papers.

The Code Breakers. Doudna and

and former CEO of Johnsonville

only reads non-fiction as a way to keep learning and sharpening the mind. Every month, Stayer shares the latest page-turners earning a permanent spot on his ever-expanding bookshelves.

Science has evolved over the last century. It is

Charpentier won the Nobel Prize for

no longer the realm of the lone genius laboring

their work in October 2020, narrow-

at his/her workbench; it is now the province of

ly winning their race over many oth-

well-funded laboratories, typically attached to

er people who made significant con-

universities, with one or two head scientists lead-

tributions to the development of the

ing a team endeavoring to peel back the curtain

use of RNA for gene splicing.

of nature. It is collaborative and competitive at

Have you received your vaccine

the same time. Once their papers were published,

shots yet? The fact that by the end of

other people got interested and used the findings

May more than half of the people in

in those papers to launch their own inquiries into

the U.S. have had their shots is one of

RNA—and the race was on. The need to win the

the most remarkable achievements

discovery and publishing race is driven by ego, and

in medical history. Only 6 weeks af-

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gulfshorebusiness.com

Courtesy Simon & Schuster, W.W. Norton & Co

RALPH STAYER,

ter COVID-19’s DNA was deciphered in March 2020, the first successful vaccine was formulated. It took until early November for the testing, manufacturing and emergency approval by the FDA to make it ready for use.

All this was made possible by the pioneering work of these two women.

This new science has also led to future possibilities that our world must now grapple with. A scientist recently said that the first person to live 1,000 years has already been born. We are facing a world in which all genetically caused diseases will be eradicated. We are also facing the possibility of designer babies—taller, stronger, smarter. As the world’s economy becomes more science-based, the gap in income disparity is likely to increase exponentially. There are many ethical complexities that our world will have

as men on the same test when told

to work through. Isaacson’s compelling book is a must-read harbinger of

the test is designed to remove gender

things to come.

differences. Identity threat is another issue. One white person in a class

Reading The Code Breakers reminded me of Whistling Vivaldi, by

with 25 black people studying black

Claude Steele, which our book club read several years ago. Steele is a so-

history will not perform to that per-

cial psychologist who has spent his life studying how stereotypes affect the

son’s capability. The reverse is also

performance of people. Both Doudna and Charpentier were discouraged

true in similar situations. The easi-

by counselors and teachers from pursuing math and science—as “girls

est way to understand this is to look

don’t have the head for these fields.” They refused to be deterred from

back on your own past and think of

their passion, which is fortunate for the rest of us; there would have been

a time when you thought that you

no Covid vaccine if they had listened to the doubters. Think of what this

were in over your head. How well did

world has lost over many millennia by wasting people’s talents due to ste-

you do?

reotypes.

This book will illuminate some of

Steele and others have done countless studies proving that people of

the issues our country is currently

any race or gender perform equally based on their intellectual capabili-

experiencing. With understanding

ties, but stereotypes can diminish performance. This is especially true

comes recognition. Steele opens our

for high-performing individuals. Studies show that women taking a hard

eyes to the situation, and then offers

math test will do poorer than men when told that the test has not been

practical suggestions to alleviate the

equalized for gender. Those same women will perform at the same level

problem.

G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2021 2 3

TakeNote TRENDLINE

AUGUST 2021 B y J u s t i n P a p ro c k i

Loss of Labor GOOD NEWS AND BAD FOR EMPLOYMENT

Southwest Florida is slowly getting back to work. But there’s a catch: Although unemployment rates have steadily declined since March 2020, the labor force also has shrunk.

Southwest Florida has close to 15,000 fewer people participating in the labor force (meaning either currently working or seeking work) in February 2021 compared to a year earlier. The same trend is reflected across the country, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. More than 4 million people dropped out of the workforce from February 2020 to February 2021. The labor force participation rate dropped from about 63.3% of the population (age 16 and older) to 61.3% over that time period, representing the largest yearly decline since the Great Depression.

2 4 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

Napl e s

Fo r t Mye rs C a pe Co ra l

P un t a Go rda

Ye ar

Mo n t h

To t al

Empl oye d

Une mpl oye d

Une mpl oy me nt ra te %

2 0 20

Fe b

188, 8 63

18 3,209

5,654

3

2 0 20

Mar

189, 8 17

18 0,58 5

9,232

4.9

2 0 20

Ap r

16 7,457

143,548

23,909

14.3

2 0 20

May

174, 253

151,48 9

22,764

13.1

2 0 20

Ju n

17 2, 6 60

154,217

18 ,443

10.7

2 0 20

Ju l

17 3 , 6 82

155,501

18 ,18 1

10.5

2 0 20

Au g

17 1, 3 73

158 ,976

12,397

7.2

2 0 20

Sep

17 1, 5 58

161,466

10,092

5.9

2 0 20

Oct

17 5 , 044

167,322

7,722

4.4

2 0 20

Nov

17 7, 151

170,602

6,549

3 .7

2 0 20

Dec

17 9, 5 68

174,332

5,236

2.9

2 0 21

Jan

185 , 3 31

178 ,440

6,8 91

3 .7

2 0 21

Fe b

186 ,411

18 0,147

6,264

3.4

Year

Mo n t h

To t al

Empl oye d

Une mpl oye d

Une mpl oy m e nt ra te %

2 0 20

Fe b

3 6 0,135

348 ,716

11,419

3.2

2 0 20

Mar

3 6 4, 016

345,18 6

18 ,8 30

5.2

2 0 20

Ap r

3 3 1, 925

28 2,047

49,8 78

15

2 0 20

M ay

3 42, 953

295,307

47,646

13.9

2 0 20

Ju n

3 40,256

302,78 7

37,469

11

2 0 20

Ju l

3 43 , 658

306,695

36,963

10.8

2 0 20

Au g

3 3 7, 518

312,569

24,949

7.4

2 0 20

Sep

3 40,022

319,239

20,78 3

6.1

2 0 20

Oct

3 44,738

328 ,105

16,633

4.8

2 0 20

Nov

3 42,425

328 ,08 1

14,344

4.2

2 0 20

Dec

3 3 9, 999

328 ,48 7

11,512

3.4

2 0 21

Jan

3 46 , 109

330,8 97

15,212

4.4

2 0 21

Fe b

3 49, 112

334,798

14,314

4.1

Year

Mo n t h

To t al

Empl oye d

Une mpl oye d

Une mpl oy m e nt ra te %

2 0 20

Fe b

7 3 , 9 43

71,179

2,764

3 .7

2 0 20

Mar

74, 827

70,503

4,324

5.8

2 0 20

Ap r

6 8, 093

57,714

10,379

15.2

2 0 20

May

7 0, 292

60,943

9,349

13.3

2 0 20

Ju n

6 9, 9 55

62,616

7,339

10.5

2 0 20

Ju l

7 0,435

63,178

7,257

10.3

2 0 20

Au g

7 0, 040

65,057

4,98 3

7.1

2 0 20

Sep

7 0,748

66,479

4,269

6

2 0 20

Oct

7 0,7 27

67,296

3,431

4.9

2 0 20

Nov

7 0,7 96

67,8 18

2,978

4.2

2 0 20

Dec

7 0, 9 40

68 ,465

2,475

3.5

2 0 21

Jan

7 1, 6 03

68 ,48 9

3,114

4.3

2 0 21

Fe b

7 2,460

69,513

2,947

4.1

G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2021 2 5

TakeNote

AUGUST 2021

E C O N O M I C C O M M E N TA R Y

B y To m S m y t h e

Economics and the Environment SHOULD CENTRAL BANKS DIRECTLY ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE?

Recently, central banks have announced they will begin evaluating whether banks are adequately managing their risk exposure to firms that could be

CLIMATE CONTROL

vulnerable to threats from climate change. Some see

Central banks must be independent

this as prudent and welcome. However, there has

of the political process, says Tom

been additional discussion of whether central banks

Smythe, an FGCU finance professor.

should actively engage in speeding the process of using their monetary firepower to subsidize the cost

the responsibility of financial stability. None of these roles in-

of capital of firms pursuing green enterprise and in-

cludes providing benefits to any firm that could impede competi-

novation.

tion with other firms.

Let’s be clear; humans continue to have a signifi-

Second, the Fed, in response to the 2008 financial crisis, cut

cant negative impact on the environment. However,

target money rates close to zero, where they have remained since.

to suggest central banks further distort capital mar-

The average effective federal funds rate dating back to 1954 is

kets to address the issue is foolhardy and ignores the

5.02%. Since 1990, the average is 3.17%, but since 2008, that aver-

unintended consequences of such actions. I see four

age is 0.36%. In addition to keeping short-term rates at unrealis-

problems with such an approach.

tically low levels, central banks have engaged in “evolved” policies

First, while central banks must evolve to changes

such as quantitative easing and—with the onset of the pandem-

in the economic landscape, they must do so within

ic—direct purchases of corporate and municipal debt in an effort

the boundaries of legislated mandates. For the Fed,

to stabilize markets. However, the distortions caused by these

those mandates are to be the lender of last resort,

activities have serious consequences. Prior to the pandemic, U.S.

promote price stability and promote full employ-

stock repurchase activity outstripped investments in R&D and

ment. More recently, central banks have taken on

capital investment, often funded with cheap debt. Additionally,

2 6 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

Courtesy FGCU, Getty.

moving firms to a more climate-friendly state, by

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TakeNote

TakeNote

E C O N O M I C C O M M E N TA R Y

E C O N O M I C C O M M E N TA R Y

the number of BBB-rated firms was at an all time high, and

Instead of asking central banks to undertake

these firms have since borrowed more, creating the new

such a task, let’s tackle the problem in a rea-

class of firms known as “zombies.” In short, the capital al-

soned manner. The cost of capital for firms will

location process is broken, due in large part to existing cen-

fall as investment dollars flow to these firms.

tral bank distortions.

Announcements by BlackRock, UBS and oth-

Third, if central banks engage in selectively influencing

ers that climate change is now a primary stra-

the cost of capital for firms, it would constitute “winner

tegic characteristic to be used when investing

picking,” something in which central banks should not

is evidence the market is working. Second, let’s

engage. History is replete with examples of “government”

develop and agree on independent metrics that

failing miserably at direct engagement with private busi-

we can apply to all firms when evaluating these

ness. In the U.S., examples include the Solyndra debacle

characteristics, and require them to be reported

and the moral hazard created with Fannie Mae and Fred-

for publicly traded firms. Finally, if governments

die Mac. Direct government involvement with industry has

feel compelled to support social issues not being

proven repeatedly to be fraught with problems that do not

addressed by markets to their satisfaction, do so

lead to the best outcomes.

through legislative bodies, where voters can have

Finally, directing central banks to engage in social policy,

their voices heard.

even well-intentioned, will irreparably breach central bank independence. Social policy should be left to legislative

Tom Smythe, Ph.D., is a professor of finance in

bodies, where voters can make their voices heard. Asking

the Lutgert College of Business at Florida Gulf

central banks to choose who to subsidize politicizes one of

Coast University.

the last institutions operating with some semblance of in-

2 8 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

Getty

dependence from the political process. gulfshorebusiness.com

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B I D D I N G

O N

T H E

F U T U R E

3 0 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

Lee, Collier counties refocus economic development efforts amid changes BY BRETT J. BLACKLEDGE

G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2021 3 1

B I D D I N G O N

T H E

F U T U R E

There was no confusing Odilon Almeida’s explanation about the decision last year to move ACI Worldwide’s headquarters out of Collier County to Miami. As head of one of the largest global digital payment firms, Almeida had just hired two key executives for a company always on the lookout for top talent.

“I can tell you that it was much easier to convince them to work in Miami than to be in Naples, and that is going to be very important for us going forward, because we will continue to need talent in this company,” Almeida, ACI’s president and CEO, told analysts last year during a conference call to discuss the company’s future.

ACI’s departure offers insight into economic development struggles facing Southwest Florida, which historically has relied on tourism, construction and hospitality to fuel its economy. Some well-known challenges, including affordable housing and a skilled talent pool, continue to affect the region’s ability to attract and retain business. But new challenges, such as fewer state incentives and the loss of a regional program, have forced the counties to rely on their own economic development efforts.

Florida’s business incentive programs once offered counties tens of millions of Courtesy Seagate Development Group, Arthex

dollars each year in state rebates or grants designed to help attract companies with high wages. Those state incentives helped counties diversify their economies by focusing on landing the big fish: companies in technology, financial services and other diverse industries that offer hundreds of high-paying jobs. They are the businesses that can really move the needle in a local economy with their corporate headquarters or an expansion. It’s an important part of economic development for Florida 3 2 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

B I D D I N G O N

T H E

F U T U R E

FOCUSED ON HEALTH Two medical-centric companies are headquartered in Southwest Florida. Arthrex, above, is based in North Naples, while NeoGenomics, right, is building its new headquarters in Fort Myers.

G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2021 3 3

counties, separate from the work of supporting local small businesses or making deals with developers to provide commercial space that will accommodate growth.

Collier and Lee counties each have scored big wins in recent years with the announcement of major investments by companies locating or expanding in the area.

CORPORATE GROWTH

Lee County celebrated decisions by cancer diagnostic

Major companies receiving economic incentives for

company NeoGenomics to build its $60 million interna-

locations in Southwest Florida include Hertz, which has

tional headquarters and hire another 295 employees; and

its world headquarters in Estero, and Uline, which plans

shipping logistics business Scotlynn USA Division Inc. to

a large distribution center in Collier County.

spend $20 million on expansion and a corporate headquarters, and hiring 140 workers. Collier County praised moves by medical device manufacturer Arthrex to spend

that rewarded creation of high-wage jobs, was one of

more than $60 million to expand its North Naples head-

the tools that Collier and Lee officials used to encour-

quarters and add more than 750 to its workforce, and by

age the investments by NeoGenomics, Scotlynn and

national packaging supply company Uline to build a $70

Arthrex. Counties put up 20% of the incentives, and

million distribution center near Interstate 75 that will

the state provided 80%.

That’s one of the programs Collier County lead-

But most of those wins came with the help of state and

ers used to attract ACI in 2016. After accepting more

local economic development programs that no longer

than $400,000 in various incentives for bringing

exist. Florida officials decided against renewing the Qual-

its high-paying jobs to Collier, ACI snatched up Mi-

ified Targeted Industries Tax Refund program last year,

ami-Dade County’s offer last year for nearly $175,000

the latest in a series of state cutbacks in economic devel-

in rebates to relocate there and to bring 182 full-time

opment incentives by elected leaders who criticized the

jobs with an average salary of $182,000. That Mi-

programs as corporate welfare.

ami-Dade incentive came on top of another $189,000

The state program, a tax refund initiative known as QTI

in tax rebates provided by the state and the county.

3 4 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

Courtesy WINK NEWS, Collier County

include more than 200 jobs.

B I D D I N G O N

T H E

F U T U R E

“I think the differences between Lee and Collier, and what they attract, is night and day.”

—Penny Taylor, Collier County Commissioner

While Collier and Lee don’t have Miami’s incentive money to offer, the Southwest Florida communities are focused on attracting businesses in other ways. Collier provides local, targeted incentives for businesses to invest in areas that need commercial development, such as the $1.4 million in tax rebates offered to Uline to build its distribution center in a special Innovation Zone located in central Collier County. Lee County also targets local incentives for businesses in special development areas, including special incentives for commercial development in Fort Myers.

Collier and Lee counties are adjusting to other changes, as well, including the loss of one of the region’s economic development groups. The Southwest Florida Economic Development Alliance, a regional collaboration of local government and business leaders, shuttered in 2019. The group disbanded after leaders across the area concluded they have more differences than similarities in their economic development interests.

G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2021 3 5

“If a company is chasing incentives, when those expire, chances are they

“If we have the funds, we’d rather put it into improving our regulatory systems,” says John Talmage, Lee County’s economic development director.

For now, Collier and Lee county officials are paving their

will chase them

own paths of economic development without the alliance’s

elsewhere.”

in incentives once available from the state to attract compa-

—John Talmage, Lee County Economic Development Director

formalized regional partnership, and without the millions nies with high wages. Each county is projecting more than $1 billion in new commercial development over the next few years, along with 2,000 additional jobs.

But one unknown is whether they can continue to attract high-wage businesses such as NeoGenomics and ACI without incentives, funded either by local taxpayers or the state.

The short answer is, it’s not clear how much the counties will, or even can, do on their own.

who served on the alliance’s board. “I think the dif-

In the case of NeoGenomics, the state provided most

ferences between Lee and Collier, and what they

of the $600,000 in tax rebates offered in recent years and

attract, is night and day.”

more than $1.7 million in other incentives. Talmage said

Instead, the counties are each turning to ways to make it easier to do business here, including fast-track permitting and the targeted tax rebates.

That’s a better taxpayer investment, they argue.

NeoGenomics was committed to Lee County, but those incentives may have played a role.

“Whether we could have gotten the same footprint, I don’t know,” Talmage says.

3 6 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

Courtesy Lee County, Getty

“It died a slow and natural death,” says Collier County Commission Chairwoman Penny Taylor,

B I D D I N G O N

T H E

F U T U R E

LEVERS FOR GROWTH Lee County has

found guilty in 2019

distributing more

a corridor around

a long history

of defrauding the

than $20 million in

Alico Road that

of offering local

county out of $4.7

incentives to such

has become home

business incentives,

million in incentives.

companies as Gart-

to a huge surge

including some

Executives misrepre-

ner Inc., Algenol Bio-

in commercial

disappointments

sented their business

fuels and Chico's.

development. The

along the way.

interests and failed

The county set

An audit completed

major projects there

to deliver the botan-

last year by the

include NeoGenomics

aside $25 million

ical pharmaceutical

county inspector

and Scotlynn. But

in taxpayer money

manufacturing plant

general praised the

Talmage said much

in 2008 for the

that VR Labs prom-

revamped Economic

of the rest of the

Financial Assistance

ised.

Development Office

industrial and

for making “great

commercial activity

for Recruiting

The FIRST program

Strategic Targets

scored successes,

strides in developing

came without the

initiative. The cash

including luring the

new policies and

need for incentives.

incentive fund known

corporate headquar-

procedures to

as the FIRST program

ters of national rent-

mitigate risks.”

was created to

al car company Hertz

“We believe that

attract businesses

and the 700 jobs that

the added conditions

nomic development

to the Fort Myers

came with it. But the

for the payment of

emphasis now is less

area. At the time, it

VR Labs debacle led

incentives and the

on handing out cash

was promoted as a

to a revamping of

updated policies

incentives and more

bold local initiative

Lee County’s eco-

and procedures have

about supporting

designed to entice

nomic development

enhanced the EDO,”

business develop-

companies to expand

program, including

the audit found.

ment in other ways.

and relocate.

changes in staff and

Lee County has

protocols used to en-

forged ahead with

are available for

program is perhaps

sure that businesses

its efforts to attract

business investment

best known for the

receiving taxpayer

business, focusing

in distressed areas—

scandal that resulted

support kept their

on key geographic

North Fort Myers,

in federal convic-

promises. The county

areas that were

Cape Coral, the State

tions for executives

later shut down the

ripe for commercial

Road 82 corridor, etc.

at VR Labs, who were

FIRST program after

growth. That includes

Community Redevel-

But the FIRST

“We have the levers for growth,” he says.

The county’s eco-

Targeted incentives

G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2021 3 7

opment Agencies in

and Lee County

Cape Coral and Fort

doesn’t need to

Myers also offer tax

throw money at

rebates and other in-

companies to locate

centives for business

here, Talmage

development there.

argued.

The pitch to do

“That offsets the

business in Lee

need for incentives,”

County includes

he says.

promoting the quality

While Lee County

of the workforce

officials have joined

available in the

other economic

growing area; access

development leaders

to Southwest Florida

around the state

International Airport,

who are seeking

now in the early

reinstatement of

stages of a $360

lost Florida business

million expansion

incentives, including

that includes a new

the $35 million a year

traffic control tower

QTI rebate program,

and terminal; and

Talmage says “we

the benefits that

don’t feel it’s going

come with four-

to hold us back”

year institution

without them.

Florida Gulf Coast

“If a company is

University, such as

chasing incentives,

training and research

when those expire,

partnerships.

chances are they

Add all of that to the natural advantages Florida offers business, including low taxes and less regulation,

will chase them elsewhere,” he says.

B I D D I N G O N

T H E

F U T U R E

The Sunshine State provides some natural advantages for businesses such as lower taxes and less regulation.

When ACI announced it was leaving Collier for Miami, Almeida also highlighted his company’s need for better access to an international airport.

“We have business in more than 80 countries, and we are very far from an international airport in Naples,” he told analysts last year. “And that was difficult to get to an airport there.”

Courtesy Paradise Coast Sports Complex, Collier County, Great Wolf Lodge Co.

Taylor, the Collier commissioner, said she was disappointed to lose ACI’s high-paying jobs after only a few years here. But she said there was no stopping Almeida’s desire to move the company closer to his Miami home.

“How could you fight it? The president made that decision,” she says.

But Almeida’s parting comments about Collier underscored a long-standing issue the area has faced.

“They ended up leaving because they couldn’t find the workforce,” says Melanie Schmees, director of business and economic research for the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce.

INVESTING IN FAMILIES

In 2014, the chamber worked with county leaders

Chicago-based Great Wolf Resorts received a $15

to craft a shared economic development vision, iden-

million incentive from Collier County to build its Great

tifying strengths and weaknesses that affect business

Wolf Lodge hotel and water park project, left, next to

development. The Opportunity Naples report iden-

the new Paradise Coast Sports Complex, top.

tified Collier County’s challenges, including a limitG U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2021 3 9

B I D D I N G O N

T H E

F U T U R E

“They (ACI) ended up leaving because they couldn’t find the workforce.” ed workforce, housing affordability and scarce supply of land for commercial development.

The report also summarized the conflict in Collier between those who want to limit business development, to

— Melanie Schmees, Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce

preserve the retirement lifestyle they prefer, and those who want to attract new businesses to the area to expand the county’s economic base with industries less “Efforts to preserve the quality-of-life elements that have, and continue to, define the attractiveness of the area as a seasonal, retirement and tourism destination have resulted in other trends that negatively impact the

That continued clash of philosophy may explain why Collier County really isn’t considered a big player in the economic incentives competition.

“It’s not as active in incentives as other jurisdictions are,” Schmees says.

community’s ability to diversify its economy, sustain a

The county has handed over more than $2 million in

competitive workforce, seed and grow an entrepreneur-

incentives in recent years to Arthrex, its largest private

ial ecosystem and foster a business climate conducive

employer. But other projects drawing taxpayer-funded

to targeted growth and investment,” the Opportunity

incentives from the county focus more on the area’s life-

Naples report noted. “If Greater Naples is to continue

style and tourism draw.

to evolve as both a lifestyle destination and a thriving,

County commissioners agreed to provide up to $5

diverse economic region, a balance must be struck be-

million in tax rebates for a $250 million residential and

tween the desire to preserve the qualities that draw resi-

commercial complex in East Naples as part of an effort

dents and visitors and the strategies and tactics that will

to revitalize the distressed area. Commissioners recent-

enhance the ability of local economic developers and

ly agreed to $15 million in incentives for the Great Wolf

other professionals to retain, expand, attract and grow

Lodge family resort planned near the county’s $100 mil-

quality jobs in Collier County.”

lion Paradise Coast Sports Complex, a huge investment

4 0 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

Courtesy Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce, Seagate

vulnerable to national and global downturns.

ECONOMIC STIMULATION The new corporate headquarters for Scotlynn USA Division, a transportation and logistics provider, was recently built off Interstate 75 in Lee County.

in the area’s sports tourism.

“We are diversifying,” Taylor says, also pointing to

“Government can have a role in investing in these projects,” he says.

the Uline project. She noted the Arthrex expansion

McDaniel and others are supporting several proposed village

is evidence that “we must be doing something right.”

developments in east Collier that would open some of the en-

Taylor argues the Naples area, founded by some

vironmentally sensitive acreage in the Rural Land Stewardship

of the nation’s wealthiest tycoons as a retirement

Areas to residential and commercial growth. That would ad-

and vacation destination, doesn’t have to be where

dress one of the challenges identified in the 2014 Opportunity

corporate executives build their headquarters, but

Naples report—the need for more developable land for com-

where they want to live and play.

mercial use.

“We need to be who we are, instead of trying to be who we will never be,” she says.

But commercial growth can’t come at the expense of the main draw of Collier’s natural assets, the environment and habitat,

But other commissioners have advocated a stron-

Taylor said. The county must protect its reputation as a para-

ger county incentive program to attract new compa-

dise destination and build on its recent economic development

nies. Commissioner William McDaniel has argued

successes.

that without such a program, the county risks jeopardizing future economic growth and stability.

“It’s never going to be perfect, but it’s better than it was three years ago.”

G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2021 4 1

BY TIM ATEN

PAGE

0 4 3

DIFFERENT AVENUES: BONITA BEACH ROAD NEW

DEVELOPMENT

FOR

CITY’S

OLD

PLANNED ROUTE

While Bonita Springs might once have been considered the middle of nowhere, it’s now the center of everything in Southwest Florida. Its prime location between the Road, Exit 116 off Interstate 75, a magnet for residential Getty

Gutter Credit

Naples and Fort Myers markets has made Bonita Beach and commercial growth.

PAGE

Bonita Springs government looks beyond today’s traffic capacity for Bonita Beach Road, hoping to focus on creating a “majestic parkway”—a destination and a multimodal connector for the city’s main eastwest route that stretches more than 10 miles from Bonita Beach Park to Bonita National Golf & Country Club. Although it’s the driveway to more than 10 gated communities or country clubs, the road is not a posh boulevard by any stretch.

Of course, the local route had even humbler beginnings, recalls Ben Nelson, a third-generation Floridian who was mayor of Bonita Springs from 2008 to 2016 and served on the Bonita City Council from 2000 to 2008.

“Bonita Beach Road was kind of barely a road. It started at Old 41, didn’t really go east at all, and so it just went out toward the beach and stopped when it hit the beach," Nelson says. “From that evolution, people just started carving up development and going where they wanted to. It’s just this motion east, this development toward the east, that’s pretty recent. It wasn’t that long ago if you went east of I-75 on Bonita Beach Road there was relatively nothing.”

The road remains utilitarian; a metaphorical collection of nuts and bolts that comes in handy when one needs a dentist or a barber

HISTORICAL CHANGES Demolition began this summer on Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track, which hosted live dog racing from the late 1950s to May 2020 just off Bonita Beach Road in Bonita Springs.

or food and drink. The section west of U.S. 41, part of it in Collier County, feels more trapped in time and is home to a disjointed 4 4 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

"IT STARTED AT OLD 41, DIDN’T REALLY GO EAST AT ALL, AND SO IT JUST WENT OUT TOWARD THE BEACH AND STOPPED WHEN IT HIT THE BEACH" 0 4 5

— BEN NELSON, FORMER MAYOR OF BONITA SPRINGS

row of notable dining spots. As its name im-

Tim Aten (demolition photo); Courtesy Havenick family for historical images

plies, Bonita Beach Road—often called just Beach Road—leads to the beach, but this historical local road is seeing new development, which often follows the path of least resistance, Nelson reminds us. Sandwiched between the faster-growing North Naples and Estero, Bonita has become a hot market.

The perceptibly new businesses, such as Curaleaf and Trulieve marijuana dispensaries and the Bonita Breeze luxury auto condominiums, take their place among quirkier longtime establishments: Dolly’s Produce Patch & Eatery, Golf Safari, Flamingo Island Flea Market and Master Bait & Tackle. The Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track links the history to the future. Demolition began this summer on the dog track’s massive grandstand, which packed in spectators for live racing that began in the late 1950s and ended in May 2020.

Anticipation has been building for what lies ahead at that site. An indoor-outdoor adventure park recently was proposed to replace the entertainment venture next to the new Bonita Springs Poker Room that opened last year. Officially, the Havenick G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2021 4 5

PAGE

family, who own the nearly 100 acres on the southeast corner of Bonita Beach Road and Old 41 Road, are saying only that they are seeking something tourism-related that will benefit the community, especially children and young families.

“We want to plan right. For us, the core business obviously is the poker room. We want to make sure what we do is complementary to that,” says Isadore “Izzy” Havenick.

Adrenalin World, proposed by former professional tennis stars David Lloyd and Johan Kriek, would feature about 20 indoor and outdoor sports and activities. Potential features may include climbing walls, gokarts, miniature golf, trampolines, virtual reality rooms and zip lines.

“We look forward to engage with our team from all over the world to bring this concept to Bonita Springs and create something very special not only for the Bonita Springs resident, but to do great things for schools, kids and companies in team-building events in the SW Florida region, but most of all create jobs. This is a very robust $30 million project on 21.89 acres, and we look forward to working with the different departments in Bonita Springs," Kriek wrote in a June letter to the mayor and city council members.

Destinations for young families are sorely needed in the area, Councilman Jesse Pur-

REDEVELOPING ATTRACTIONS

don said. He feels that Adrenalin World,

Adrenalin World, an indoor-outdoor adventure park (above), re-

proposed less than 2 miles from City Hall,

cently was proposed to replace the Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound

would put Bonita Springs on the map for families in Southwest Florida.

“This one is for the families. I think it’s

Track. After the track permanently closed last year, the new Bonita Springs Poker Room (right) launched on Bonita Beach Road in Bonita Springs.

going to be a winner,” he says. “I think it’s 4 6 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

0 4

"WE WANT TO PLAN RIGHT. FOR US,

7 THE CORE BUSINESS OBVIOUSLY

Courtsey Adrenalin World, PBS Contractors, Pamediastrategies.com

IS THE POKER ROOM. WE WANT

TO MAKE SURE WHAT WE DO IS

COMPLEMENTARY TO THAT."

—IZZY HAVENICK

going to create way more jobs than the dog track ever did.”

Across the street on the northeast corner of Old 41 and Bonita Beach Road, Entrada commercial center nears completion after an extensive redevelopment project of the former First National Bank of Bonita Springs office, built in the 1960s and added onto in the ’70s and ’80s, said Steve Hovland of Naples-based Hovland Real Estate.

“I’m so proud of that one,” Hovland says.

“When you see the inside and see the tenants we are attracting in this modern world, you’ll be saying, ‘Are you kidding me?’

It’s a totally different building than I ever dreamed of. Out of 73 buildings, Entrada is my favorite I’ve ever done.”

G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2021 4 7

PAGE

"AND SO, IT’S REALLY BEEN

LIKE A KEVIN COSTNER

FIELD OF DREAMS KIND OF 0

CIRCUMSTANCE. YOU KNOW,

4 8

‘IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL

COME.’ THERE’S JUST BEEN AN

INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF DEMAND

A minimalist retail-office center, Entrada is designed for the workforce, the post-Boom-

FOR THAT KIND OF PRODUCT

er generations that often are ignored in the Southwest Florida market, Hovland said.

Tenants include a first responder school, a

TYPE IN THAT AREA." — ADAM PALMER,

holistic medicine business, Napoli on the Bay Pizzeria and The Bohemian, a new local restaurant concept from the owners of nearby Downtown Coffee & Wine Co.

STATEWIDE MANAGING PRINCIPAL FOR LANDQWEST

On Bonita Beach Road west of U.S. 41, the former Rodes Restaurant & Fish Market was razed at the end of January to make way for new dining options and much more.

The adjacent Bonita Village resort-style

Village and the future Cabana Resort. “I’m really trying to

condominium will be rebranded as Cabana

create experiential retail, a place where people can have a re-

Resort and expanded eastward, creating a

ally good time and feel relaxed," Dror says.

25-acre destination with a new 110-unit luxEAST OF INTERSTATE 75

a winding lazy river, surf machines and oth-

The proximity to the interstate interchange, the tremen-

er water features. A hotel and a promenade

dous number of residential units being developed to the

with shops and an air-conditioned grand

east and the new Logan Boulevard extension connecting

food hall are planned fronting Bonita Beach

Bonita and North Naples all help make the location attrac-

Road, said Omer Dror, the owner of Bonita

tive to developers.

4 8 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

Courtesy Cabana Resort

ury condominium and 7 acres of pools, plus

REIMAGINED RESORT Bonita Village resort-style condominium will be rebranded as Cabana Resort and expanded to create a 25-acre destination with new luxury condominiums, water attractions, a public promenade, retail shops and restaurants along the north side of Bonita Beach Road west of U.S. 41.

G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2021 4 9

PAGE

“The high-end country clubs and everything on the south side of Bonita Beach is wonderful, as well,” says Ryan Zuckerman, president of Zuckerman Homes, still finalizing a site plan for its Midtown at Bonita 67acre development on the northwest corner of Bonita Grande Drive and Bonita Beach Road. The city has approved the proposed project for up to 482 multi-family dwelling units, 315,000 square feet of commercial and retail space up to five stories and a maximum six-story, 165-room hotel.

“It will definitely be a mixed-use project with residential and commercial components, and potentially a hotel component,” Zuckerman says. “We’re still working it through. There’s a lot of due diligence and data and research that goes into that, because you don’t want to design something that’s not going to work.”

The end of the corridor features residential projects well represented by many national homebuilders, including Lennar, Pulte, D.R. Horton and GL Homes. These thousands of rooftops have lacked essential amenities nearby. “That’s what really atthat they can get that are close to them,”

COMMUNITY PROPOSAL

Zuckerman says.

Zuckerman Homes is finalizing plans for Midtown at Bonita, a

Until recently, residents in the many communities east of Interstate 75 on Bonita Beach Road had to drive for just about everything outside of Publix supermarket in Bonita Grande Crossing.

67-acre development proposed with waterways on the northwest corner of Bonita Grande Drive and Bonita Beach Road. The city has approved the project for up to 482 multi-family residential units, 315,000 square feet of commercial space and a six-story, 165-room hotel.

5 0 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

Courtesy Zuckerman Homes

tracted us. They have no goods and services

"IT WILL DEFINITELY BE A MIXED-

USE PROJECT WITH RESIDENTIAL

AND COMMERCIAL COMPONENTS, AND

POTENTIALLY A HOTEL COMPONENT." 0 5

— RYAN ZUCKERMAN,

1 PRESIDENT OF ZUCKERMAN HOMES

“It’s just kind of been a shame that all those rooftops in east Bonita have kind of gone without some of those services for as long as they have,” says Adam Palmer, statewide managing principal for LandQwest.

That commercial real estate firm handles

Courtesy Trinity Commercial Group

the leasing and property management for SouthLinks Commons, a 10-building commerce park with flex space nearing completion on the south side of Bonita Beach Road just east of I-75. The interstate proximity, quickly connecting Lee and Collier counties, is the key to the Bonita Beach Road development, Palmer said; “Bonita is the north North Naples.”

McGarvey Development Co., based in SouthLinks, is completing the ninth and 10th buildings of the project. It’s a spot where many folks remember seeing a couple of cows grazing not long ago. “Among those two buildings, more than half is already reserved. Buildings 1 through 8 are already at full occupancy,” Palmer says. “And so, it’s really been like a Kevin Costner Field of G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2021 5 1

PAGE

"WHEN YOU SEE THE INSIDE AND SEE THE TENANTS WE ARE ATTRACTING IN THIS MODERN WORLD, YOU’LL BE SAYING, ‘ARE YOU KIDDING ME?'" — STEVE HOVLAND, HOVLAND REAL ESTATE

Dreams kind of circumstance. You know, ‘If you build it, they will come.’ There’s just been an incredible amount of demand for that kind of product type in that area.”

A significant reason for that demand stems from the limited amount of industrial inventory that exists in nearby Collier

RETAIL OPPORTUNITIES

County. “At the same time, Naples has been

Nearing completion on the northeast corner of Old 41 Road and

experiencing a lot of growth, in general.

Bonita Beach Road, a new retail-office center named Entrada is

When you have that kind of growth going on

under construction. The extensive redevelopment of what began as

in Naples, then you have industrial service needs to service that area," Palmer says. “So,

the former First National Bank of Bonita Springs branch has offices, retail shops and restaurants with outdoor dining.

as these industrial companies were growing in Naples and needing more space, they kind

kered by LSI Companies for what is expected to be a gated residential

of had two options: They could move out to

community. Naples-based Barron Collier Companies and Fort My-

951 and 75 where, for the most part, your

ers-based Seagate Development Group have teamed up, planning to

entire eastern hemisphere of your demo-

develop the 175-acre property on the north side of Bonita Beach Road

graphics is an alligator. Or, you could move

just west of the Logan roundabout and adjacent to preserved lands of

up to Bonita Beach and 75 where you can ca-

CREW, the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed. The proposal is

ter to multiple markets and at a lesser cost

still in the early planning stages, so neither Seagate nor Barron Collier

than Naples. So, I think that’s kind of been

Cos. are ready to reveal specific plans there.

The aforementioned developments merely scratch the surface, of

One of the largest pieces of undeveloped

course. Despite its long and colorful history, one can’t help feeling that

land in Bonita Springs was purchased for

Bonita Beach Road still hasn’t realized its full potential … that the best

$6 million earlier this year, in a deal bro-

may be yet to come.

5 2 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

Courtesy Entradaw

the secret sauce to that project’s success.”

Proposed developments for Bonita Beach Road

CABANA RESORT: A 25-acre destination with a combination of public and private amenities is proposed for the north side of Bonita Beach Road west of U.S. 41. Bonita Village gated condominium community will be rebranded as Cabana Resort and expanded across adjacent land. The redevelopment plans show a seven-story luxury condominium complex with 110 units, a promenade, performance lawn, neighborhood park and 7 acres of pools and water features, including a lazy river. A hotel and a space for restaurants and retail shops also are planned along Bonita Beach Road.

0 5 3

ENTERTAINMENT MECCA: Adrenalin World, an indoor-outdoor adventure park with multiple activities for children and young adults, has been imagined on more than 21 acres that was the site of Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track for nearly five decades. The Miami-based Havenick family, which has owned the nearly 100 acres on that southeast corner of Old 41 and Bonita Beach Road since the 1960s, hopes to eventually create an entertainment mecca to complement its new Bonita Springs Poker Room there.

ENTRADA: On the northeast corner of Old 41 and Bonita Beach Road, Entrada nears completion after an extensive redevelopment project by Hovland Real Estate. The bright white buildings will be home to new offices, retail shops and restaurants with outdoor dining. The Bohemian, a new eatery from the owners of nearby Downtown Coffee & Wine Co., and Napoli on the Bay Pizza both have spaces there, as will other retailers.

HORIZON PARK: Hotels, retail space and medical offices are proposed at Horizon Park on the southeast corner of Interstate 75 and Bonita Beach Road. An 80-room Staybridge Suites and a 70-room Avid Hotel are proposed to be built behind a 50,000-square-foot NCH medical campus and two small retail centers on that 18-acre property just west of SouthLinks Commons and north of Hunters Ridge Golf & Country Club.

MIDTOWN AT BONITA: A 67-acre mixed-use development named Midtown at Bonita is planned on the northwest corner of Bonita Grande Drive and Bonita Beach Road.

Zuckerman Group plans a tree-lined community with residential units and commercial components, as well as a possible hotel. Nearly half of the acreage will be dedicated to open spaces, lakes and preserves.

NEW NEIGHBORHOOD: Barron Collier Cos. and Seagate Development Group have teamed up to build a proposed gated residential community on one of the largest pieces of undeveloped land in Bonita Springs. The 175-acre property at 14780 Bonita Beach Road SE, just west of the Logan Boulevard roundabout and across from Palmira Golf & Country Club, will offer lake and preserve views, as well as passive recreation for its future residents. The unnamed community is still in the planning stages.

SOUTHLINKS COMMONS: The 26-acre SouthLinks Commons mixed-use commercial park nears completion just east of Interstate 75 on the south side of Bonita Beach Road, stretching from Hunters Ridge Boulevard to Publix-anchored Bonita Grande Crossing. The eight-building business park includes about 260,000 square feet of office-industrial flex units and spaces for warehouses, retail, medical offices and general office space. It is being built by McGarvey Development Co., which also owns the complex and is headquartered there.

G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2021 5 3

T HE BEST OF BU SI NESS 2021 W I NNER S This year marks the ninth annual

Gulfshore Business Best of Business readers’ poll. Of the thousands of votes received, one winner and two finalists in each of the 35 categories were selected through online polling with SurveyMonkey.com, which required each participant to provide their name and email address so each could cast only one ballot.

Each category winner is listed, followed by the two finalists for each business type. Thank you, readers, for your participation.

And congratulations to the local businesses chosen as this year’s winners and finalists for the Best of Business 2021.

G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1 55

F I NAN CE & I NS URAN C E BE ST AC C OU N TI N G FI R M MARKHAM NORTON MOSTELLER WRIGHT & COMPANY, P.A. Gail Markham is founding partner of one of the most visible CPA firms in Southwest Florida

FI NA L I STS HBK Hughes Snell

B E ST CO M M E R CIA L BA NK FIRST FLORIDA INTEGRITY BANK

F I N A LI STS

Garrett Richter is president of the Naples-based bank,

FineMark

which has $2.3 billion in total assets

SanCap Community Bank

5 6 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

B E ST F IN A N CIAL A DVIS O RY F IR M

B EST HEA LTH I NSU R A N CE B R O KER AGE

B EST CO M M ER CIAL I N SU R A NCE B R O KER AGE

ADVANCED WEALTH

BKS PARTNERS

GULFSHORE INSURANCE

ADVISORS Provides financial

Agency works hard

Fosters "we care"

planning, wealth

to develop long-term

motto for client-car-

manag ement

relationships

rier collaboration

F IN A L IST S

F I N A LI STS

F I NA LI STS

Merrill Lynch

Brown & Brown

Brown & Brown

Morgan Stanley

Green Line Benefits

McGriff

services

B E ST L IF E IN S U R A NCE AGEN T JAVED KAPADIA STATE FARM

F I NA LI STS

One of most successful State Farm agencies

Case Life Solutions

in the nation

Benson Blackburn

G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1 57

B E ST T R U ST CO M PA N Y FINEMARK Offers array of banking, trust and investment services

F I N A LI STS Northern Trust Naples Trust

BE ST PAY ROL L COM PAN Y ADP Software, services for unique HR and payroll needs

FI NA L I ST S Integrity Employee Leasing Paychex

5 8 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

LE GA L

B E ST C O R P O R AT E & B U S IN E S S L AW F IR M

B EST I NTELLECTUA L PR O PERTY LAW FIRM

B EST LI TI GATI O N LAW FIRM

PAVESE LAW FIRM

HENDERSON

HENDERSON

FRANKLIN

FRANKLIN

Offers 70 years of

One of South

Experienced firm

full service in South-

Florida’s largest,

with local roots

west Florida

full-service firms

founded in 1924

F IN A L IST S

F I NA LI STS

F I NA LI STS

Aloia Roland

Whitelaw Legal Group

Boy Agnew Potanovic

Henderson Franklin

Hahn Loeser

Cheffy Passidomo

B E ST R E A L E STATE, LA N D U SE A N D Z O N I NG LAW F I R M WOODWARD, PIRES & LOMBARDO

F I NA LI STS

Decades of knowledge and service in Southwest

Pavese Law Firm

Florida

Henderson Franklin

G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1 59

L A B O R & E M P LOY M E N T LAW F I R M BOY AGNEW POTANOVIC

F I NA LI STS

John Potanovic, Suzanne Boy, John Agnew, John Miller.

Henderson Franklin

Local, collaborative, service-oriented law firm

Pavese Law Firm

BE ST TAX L AW FI R M

B E ST T R U ST & E STAT E L AW F IR M

HENDERSON

BARBARA PIZZOLATO

FRANKLIN More than 50

Provides business

attorneys who live in

law, trust admin-

Southwest Florida

istration, estate planning

FI NA L I ST S

F IN A L IST S

Pavese Law Firm

Pavese Law Firm

Bond, Schoeneck & King

Bond, Schoeneck & King

6 0 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

MA R KETI NG

B EST PU B LI C R ELATI O N S F I R M

B EST A DV ERT ISING AGEN CY

PRIORITY MARKETING

DRAGON HORSE

Region’s largest

Next-generation cre-

full-service advertis-

ative syndicate, mar-

ing, marketing, PR

keting and business

agency

strategy agenc y

F I N A LI STS

F I NA LI STS

Pushing the Envelope

Priority Marketing

CONRIC pr + marketing

Trish Leonard

G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1 61

CO M M E RCI A L BU I L D I NG & REAL ESTATE

BE ST COM MERC I AL A R CHI TEC TU RE A ND I N T ERI OR DE SIG N F I RM

B E ST E N G IN E E R IN G F IR M

B EST CO M M ER CI A L LA N DSCA PI NG FIRM

B EST CO M M ER CI A L R EA L ESTATE AGENCY ( LEASI NG)

ADG ARCHITECTURE

HOLE MONTES

GREENSCAPES

CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD

Assists in projects

Firm has 50-plus

Owned, operated by

SW Florida team has

from pre-planning

years of full service

local family for more

100 years of combined

through construction

in Southwest Florida

than 50 years

experience

FINA L I ST S

F IN A L IST S

F I N A LI STS

F I N A LI STS

Studio+

Davidson Engineering

Juniper

LandQwest

Schenkel Shultz

Morris-Depew Associates

Property Care Landscapes

CRE Consultants

6 2 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

B EST C OMMER C IA L CO N ST R U CT IO N PBS

F I NA LI STS DeAngelis Diamond Gates

Concierg e builder with 35 years of commitment to the Naples community

B EST CO M M ER CI A L REAL ESTATE AGENCY ( PU R CHASE) CRE CONSULTANTS

Delivers full spectrum of customized property solutions

F I N A LI STS LSI Companies Fischler Property Co.

G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1 63

BU SI NESS SERVI CES

BE ST COMMERC I AL E L E C T RI C AL CONT RAC T OR

B E ST CO M M E R CIA L H VAC CO N T R AC T O R

B&I CONTRACTORS

B&I CONTRACTORS

Employee-owned

Tackles jobs for

local company for

commercial and in-

60-plus years

dustrial buildings

FI NA L I STS

F IN A L IST S

ACRA Electric

Conditioned Air

Schultz Low Voltage

Kobie Kooling

Systems

B E ST IT S E RVICE S CO N TR ACTO R ENTECH

F I NA LI STS

Provides customized IT services and support in

CRS Technolgy Consultants

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Stickboy

6 4 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

BEST B U S I N ES S H O T E L A N D CO N F E R E N C E/ M EETI NG CENTER HILTON NAPLES Luxury hotel provides memorable experi-

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GALLOWAY FORD

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Tamiami Ford

Pro Fleet Care

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Law firm recruiting agency has offered hands-on

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Spherion

G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1 65

B E ST VE N D IN G / CO F F EE CO M PA N Y STAN'S COFFEE & FOOD SERVICE Serving companies, restaurants and clubs on Florida's Gulf Coast for more than 60 years

F IN A L IST S Aroma Coffee Service Bad Ass Coffee

BUS IN ES S DINING & DRINKS

BE ST B U S I N ES S LUNC H

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SHULA'S

THE VERANDA

MILLENNIAL BREWING CO.

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F IN A L IST S

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Farmers Market Restaurant

Shula's

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DeRomo's

Angelina's

The Bevy

6 6 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

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B EST CATER ER

CRAVE CULINAIRE

Chef Brian Roland and team create exclusive culinary experiences

F I N A LI STS Artichoke & Co. Two Guys Catering

G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1 67

Quarles & Brady provides best in class service to our clients during all points of interaction with our diverse, dedicated, and experienced team. Nominated by our peers, industry groups, and clients, our efforts are routinely recognized with honors and awards from myriad publications and organizations.

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To learn more about what the law firm of Quarles & Brady can do for you, contact Naples Office Managing Partner Kelly Lyon Davis at 239.659.5066 | kelly.davis@quarles.com.

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p_82 Entrepreneur Ryan Carter’s Scotlynn launch

2

B. BUSINESS 2 BUSINESS

E D U CAT I O N COMMERCIAL R E A L E STAT E HUMAN RESOURCES ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Advanced Treatment

 H E A LT H C A R E

ADVOCATE RADIATION ONCOLOGY ESTABLISHES SWFL’S FIRST PROTON THERAPY CENTER p_76

By Bill Wasinger

AUGUST

Courtesy Priority Marketing, Scotlynn

2021

G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S AUGUST 2021 69

Business 2 Business E D U C AT I O N

AUGUST 2021 B y B i l l Wa s i n g e r

It’s in the Badge OFFERING STUDENTS A WAY TO GET AHEAD IN THE WORKPLACE AN EDUCATIONAL EDGE Aysegul Timur says FGCU’s badge

As a senior majoring in neuroscience at Flor-

program is being designed in concert

ida Gulf Coast University, Ashley Greulich is

with local employers to better pre-

looking at earning her Ph.D. But, thanks to

pare students to enter the workforce.

the digital badge she earned as part of a new program designed to give FGCU students more practical skills, potential employers are CU’s digital badges, or microcredentials, are earned by students who

“Times have changed and, especially with

complete an additional assessment that demonstrates their mastery

COVID, the job market is even more compet-

of a given course’s content and skills. And according to Aysegul Timur,

itive, so I decided to start looking into how

vice president and vice provost of Strategy and Program Innovation at

to get noticed by employers,” Greulich says.

FGCU, the badge program is being designed in concert with local em-

“When I got into the [Medical Device Indus-

ployers, such as Arthrex, Gartner, NeoGenomics and IBM, to directly

try] class, I saw they were offering the badge,

address changes in their industries.

and that was something that I could show on

“The workplace is changing dynamically all the time. Over time,

my LinkedIn profile. Once I got that badge, I

people need to gain new skills, new knowledge, new abilities to be suc-

noticed Arthrex was now looking at my page.

cessful, because the technology is changing, and the expectations are

So, if I were to start applying to jobs, I feel like

changing. These in-demand skills have been a big concern for employ-

it would be an absolute pusher for me to get

ers,” Timur says. “Our initiative at FGCU is a response to these skills

to the front of the line as someone who has a

gaps that have been identified by employers and how we can prepare

little bit more experience than just anybody

our students better for these positions. Our difference is that we are

who’s applying.”

closely listening to our industry leaders and business owners in this re-

Part of an initiative to help participants be better prepared to enter the workforce, FG-

gion and working with them. It is more like faculty and industry partnerships preparing our students to close these skill gaps.”

7 0 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

Getty, Courtesy Lotus Solutions

already looking at her.

“ T I M ES H AV E C H ANG ED AND, ESP EC I ALLY WI T H C OV I D, T H E J OB M AR K ET I S EV EN M O R E C O M P ET I T I V E , S O I D EC I D ED T O START LO OK I NG I N T O H OW T O G ET NOT I C ED BY EM P LOYER S.” — Ashley Greulich, Neuroscience major, Senior at Florida Gulf Coast University

While FGCU’s badge program is aimed at preparing students for a con-

bilities of adding more digital badges to her

stantly changing workplace, Timur said every course that offers a badge is

online profile, and more skills to her résumé.

also open to anyone in the community who wants to enhance their skills.

The extra experience alone, she said, will like-

And as employer needs continue to change, FGCU plans to keep the badge

ly help create job opportunities, regardless of

program flexible, to constantly provide students with the skills they need

one’s major or degree.

to grow and succeed.

“If you’re looking to get ahead, if you’re

“These microcredentials are for everyone … FGCU students, somebody

looking to take a deeper dive into an industry

who doesn’t have a degree who wants to earn these microcredentials, or

that could change your life, then I would say

somebody who already has a degree but needs re-skilling and upskilling,”

go for the badge,” Greulich says. “Not only is it

Timur says. “The difference for micro-credentialing is it is quick to change

an incredible experience, but it has opened up

and quick to adapt. These are very nimble programs that we can quickly

doors of opportunity that I never would have

respond to the industry and their needs at that point of time.”

had if I didn’t pursue this. It’s challenging, but

From a student’s perspective, Greulich is enthusiastic about the possi-

it’s worth it.”

G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2021 7 1

Business 2 Business

AUGUST 2021

C O M M E R C I A L R E A L E S TAT E

B y B e t h L u b e re c k i

An Optimistic Outlook THINGS ARE LOOKING UP IN THE LOCAL OFFICE MARKET— ESPECIALLY IN THE LONGSTRUGGLING NAPLES AREA Last year, predictions of gloom and doom were common when it came to the office market. And while some uncertainty remains about how the COVID-19 pandemic will ultimately affect the way companies use office space, things right now aren’t looking as bad in Southwest Florida as many people feared.

In fact, Brian Alford, director of Florida market analytics for CoStar Group, thinks the area is looking pretty good these days.

“Southwest Florida is one of only a couple of markets in the entire country that have improved over the last year,” he says.

The three-county area had an average vacancy rate of 6.9% in early May (down from 7.6% at the start of the fourth quarter of 2020), and it had seen positive absorption of 182,000 square feet of office space to that point in the second quarter of 2021, building off the positive momentum of the previous two quarters. But office market.

But things are beginning to move in the right direction. The Naples market, he said, saw its average

That’s a market that had been struggling even before the pan-

vacancy rate compress 30 basis points between

demic. Alford reported that prior to the fourth quarter of 2020,

fall 2020 and March 2021. (Ten basis points equals

the Naples office sector had six out of seven straight quarters with

0.1%.)

negative net office absorption, which means more office space had been vacated than had been leased.

“Naples is really at a tipping point and is starting to improve,” says Alford.

7 2 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

Courtesy CRE Consultants

Alford is even more excited about what’s going on in the Naples

One reason for that, he said, is that the employment sectors that typically use office space in the Naples area—such as professional services and financial management—haven’t been as negatively affected by the pandemic as retail, hospitality and other sectors. He’s also seen some notable leases get signed this year, pointing to O’Connell Behavioral Services and Morgan & Morgan, which both leased more than 11,000 square feet of office space in the Naples market in 2021.

“It’s been interesting, because what we’ve seen [in Southwest Florida] has not necessarily been what we expected to see,” says Justin Thibaut, president of Fort Myers–based commercial real estate firm LSI Companies. “My thought is that we’re nearing equilibrium right now, and I think that we will probably stay close to equilibrium.”

Thibaut said that LSI has been getting inquiries from businesses located outside the state about office properties the company has listed for sale, another factor that’s helping to drive the positive trends. “We’re seeing a lot of growth within existing companies in Lee and Collier counties, but some POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT Randal Mercer, founding partner of CRE Consultants, says lease renewals are coming back to the three- and five-year range, if not longer, in Lee and Collier counties.

of the land deals we’re putting together right now are for users not in the market currently,” he says.

“I think we’re in a good position, given that there’s so much interest in Southwest Florida. And I think now more than ever, if companies were on the fence about thinking about making a move, more are really thinking hard about that now.”

G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2021 7 3

Business 2 Business C O M M E R C I A L R E A L E S TAT E

SHARED SPACE Venture X Naples began offer-

by May was about 50% sold out, says owner Brett Diamond.

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Courtesy Venture X Naples

ing memberships in April and

The new Venture X Naples cowork-

and are choosing to move to a place

about the Lee and Collier county of-

ing space—which includes everything

like Naples, and they’re sometimes

fice markets. “I’m seeing lease renew-

from private offices to shared desks—

getting stipends from their employ-

als, which is a very strong indicator of

began offering memberships in April

ers to rent office space of some kind.

the market,” he says. “Lease renewals

2021 and was already about 50% sold

Venture X Naples conceived of the

last year were very short, like one year

out by May. It’s also hearing from

new space before the pandemic hit,

or two years. Now we’re seeing lease

folks located outside the area, some-

but its decision to include more pri-

renewals coming back to the three-

thing that hadn’t been as prevalent in

vate offices than at its old location has

and five-year range, if not longer.

its previous Mercato location.

proved fortuitous. “That definitely

“The office market in both counties

ended up working out in our favor,”

is very stable,” he continues. “There

says Diamond.

are still some unknowns, but I think

“We’re getting some real interest from people from up north moving down here,” says Brett Diamond, one

Randal Mercer, founding partner

all of that is going to be resolved by

of the owners of Venture X Naples.

of local commercial real estate and

mid-year. I’m very optimistic for

He’s hearing from people who are now

property management firm CRE Con-

2021.”

allowed to work remotely indefinitely

sultants, is also feeling pretty positive

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Business 2 Business

AUGUST 2021

H E A LT H C A R E

B y B i l l Wa s i n g e r

Advanced Treatment, Expanded Access ADVOCATE RADIATION ONCOLOGY ESTABLISHES SWFL’S FIRST PROTON THERAPY CENTER

For many cancer patients, proton therapy offers a more effective and precise radiation treatment option. However, for Southwest Florida residents, the nearest access to proton therapy is several hours away. But according to Dr. Arie Dosoretz, the managing partner at Advocate Radiation Oncology, that soon will change, although a specific location has not yet radiation made by proton machines, which

“Advocate Radiation Oncology is honored to bring proton therapy to

are much bigger, much more complicated to

Florida’s west coast, giving cancer patients improved access to the most

operate and require special housing and spe-

advanced radiation care available,” Dosoretz says. “[Right now] patients

cial training,” Dosoretz says. “The difference

seeking proton therapy must often travel across the state … to receive this

between proton therapy and [more common

type of treatment. Not only does this enhance access to proton therapy [in

forms of ] radiation is that protons, when you

Southwest Florida], it greatly improves the quality of life for patients and

aim them at something physically … literally

their families when they can receive innovative care close to home.”

will stop within a millimeter or even submil-

Proton therapy is an advanced form of radiation that allows physicians

limeter of your target. We can create a dose

to target tumors and cancer cells with greater accuracy. As it also lessens

that is much more specific for the shape of the

the amount of radiation received by nearby healthy tissue, that precise

target. That neighboring tissue nearby is go-

targeting also produces fewer side effects. While those benefits have been

ing to be spared.” In addition to the physical

well-documented, Dosoretz said the complexity, size and cost of proton

advantages of proton therapy, Dosoretz noted

therapy centers have mostly limited its availability to bigger cities and

access to that treatment will provide signifi-

larger population bases. “Proton therapy is a different physical form of

cant mental and emotional benefits to South-

7 6 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

Courtsey Priority Marketing

been announced.

PRECISE TECHNOLOGY Dr. Arie Dosoretz differentiates proton therapy from traditional radiation in that protons will stop within a millimeter or even submillimeter of the target, sparing the neighboring tissue.

west Florida patients, as well.

“Proton centers are so few and far between that people will sometimes fly across the country for that (treat-

access to state-of-the-art medical technology for a broader population, Dosoretz admitted some hometown pride is also involved.

ment). Most patients are typically getting anywhere

“The number of patients who have access to proton ther-

from four to nine weeks of radiation daily, if not every

apy in the world, let alone in the United States, let alone in

other day,” he says. “When they’re in the middle of a

Florida, is minuscule compared to the number of patients

health crisis, it is a lot better for patients’ quality of life,

who have access to traditional radiation,” Dosoretz says.

mental health and every other aspect of their life to be

“There’s going to be a tremendous number of patients who

able to do that within driving distance of their homes.”

will now have access to this technology. I’m especially proud

Finally, while the Advocate Radiation Oncology

to bring world-class cancer care to Southwest Florida.”

proton therapy facility will ultimately provide greater G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2021 7 7

Business 2 Business

AUGUST 2021

HUMAN RESOURCES

B y B e t h L u b e re c k i

The American Rescue Plan Act: What You Need to Know LOCAL BUSINESSES SHOULD MAKE SURE THEY’RE TAKING FULL ADVANTAGE By this point, many local businesses may have already taken advantage of some of the provisions of the $1.9 trillion American Res-

for employees, they are encouraged to through this tax credit extension.

cue Plan Act (ARPA), which became law in

“The advantage is if an employer wants to continue to be supportive of

March 2021. But if not, here are some things

their employees having COVID-related issues, the extension allows them

to make sure to look into and talk about with

to get a 100% tax credit from the government for all of the reasons that

your company’s tax professional, accountant,

they originally gave under the original act, plus an additional several rea-

attorney, banker or benefits adviser.

sons,” says Scott E. Atwood, chair of the labor and employment law group at Fort Myers–based law firm Henderson Franklin.

This credit, originally established as part of

The additional reasons include giving employees paid time off to obtain a COVID-19 vaccine or recover from any vaccine side effects.

the Families First Coronavirus Response

“I think it’s a great tool for employers to have in their toolbox,” says

Act, has been extended through Sept. 30 by

Damian C. Taylor, an attorney who specializes in labor and employment

ARPA. While employers are no longer man-

matters at Coleman Hazzard Taylor Klaus Doupé & Diaz in Naples. “If

dated to provide COVID-related paid leave

you’re an employer and you’ve got an employee who is challenged by be-

7 8 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

Getty, Courtesy Henderson Franklin

The paid leave tax credit

OVERLOOKED ASSISTANCE There are tax credits in place that many people aren’t using or aren’t aware of, says Scott E. Atwood with Henderson Franklin law firm.

claim for 70% of qualified wages up to a $10,000 limit, for a maximum of $7,000 per employee per quarter.

“The employee retention tax credit is something a lot of people aren’t using, and it’s something for them to certainly talk to their tax professional or business adviser about as to whether or not they can do it,” says Atwood. “If you got a PPP loan, there’s good chance you might be able to get the retention credit, as well. If you’ve continued to keep your employees, it’s something to inquire into as to whether there may be some eligibility for it. It’s an often-overlooked area of tax credits.”

COBRA subsidy Through ARPA, the federal government is fully subsidizcoming infected with COVID, or losing childcare because

ing up to six months of COBRA coverage for the period

of COVID, and you otherwise would only be able to provide

between April 1, 2021, and Sept. 30, 2021, for qualifying

that employee with a limited amount of paid time off—if

employees who have lost their employer-provided health

that’s an employee you value and want to retain, it’s nice to

insurance coverage due to involuntary termination or a re-

know that you have the option of providing them with that

duction in hours.

paid time off at no cost to you, because you can get the tax credits.”

What employers need to know about this is their responsibility to alert eligible employees about this option. “They have to provide notification to all of their assistance-eli-

The Employee Retention Tax Credit

gible individuals (AEIs) of the availability of the subsidy,”

Originally enacted through the 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Re-

says David J. Ledermann, an attorney at Henderson Frank-

lief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, this credit was

lin who specializes in employee benefits matters. “Those

extended from June 2021 until the end of the year by ARPA.

notices have to go to the AEIs who are employees, as well as

Many businesses can qualify for this credit, which they can

their dependents who may be losing coverage and are also G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2021 7 9

Business 2 Business HUMAN RESOURCES

eligible.” Companies can find model notices on the U.S. De-

restaurants, bars, food trucks, caterers and other eligible

partment of Labor’s website.

businesses to use for things including payroll costs, mort-

If an employee elects the subsidized coverage, the insur-

gage and rent payments, utility payments, business sup-

ance company will bill the employer for the coverage, and

plies, food and beverage expenses and construction costs

the employer will get reimbursed by the federal govern-

for outdoor seating.

ment through a payroll tax credit. “They can claim a credit

ARPA also allocated additional funds for the Shuttered

for the amount of the health care premium they paid for

Venue Operators Grant program to support businesses

those AEIs,” says Ledermann.

such as live venue operators, theatrical producers and mu-

Employers also have an additional notification requirement to alert these individuals about when their subsidized COBRA coverage will be ending.

seum operators, and for Targeted Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance payments.

By the time you’re reading this article, it’s unclear how much of this funding will still be available. “It sounds like

Various funding opportunities

a lot of money,” says Carol Dover, president and CEO of

ARPA set aside an additional $7.25 billion for the Pay-

the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, about the

check Protection Program and allocated $28.6 billion for a

Restaurant Revitalization Fund. “But it’s going to go quick-

new Restaurant Revitalization Fund to provide grants for

ly once people start applying for it.”

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A Go-Getter’s Guide to Success SCOTLYNN’S RYAN CARTER VALUES HARD WORK AND A GOOD TEAM

old entrepreneur, who launched Scotlynn USA Division with his partner in 2010, now runs a multimillion-dollar company. He was named the Small Business Person of the Year for Florida in 2020 by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Scotlynn specializes in transporting refrigerated agricultural products, and has six offices in North America with more than 450 drivers.

8 2 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

Kevin Bires; Courtesy Scotlynn Group

Ryan Carter understands the significance of a hard day’s work. The 37-year-

Business 2 Business ENTREPRENEURSHIP

AUGUST 2021

By Artis Henderson

Growing up, Carter spent his summers working on his grandparents’ farm in southern Indiana. “Farmers are of some of the hardest working people out there,” he says. “Sun up to sun down, every day of the week, they’re working.” Winters, Carter shoveled snow for cash. And when he was old enough to drive a vehicle, he drove a truck for a company in Louisville. “I’ve always been a go-getter,” he says, “and I always found ways to make money. I was good at spotting opportunities.”

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When he spotted the opportunity to launch the USA Division of Scotlynn in 2010, Carter was quick to jump on it. He was only 26 at the time, but he didn’t let his age stop him. “I knew I would put forth the energy to be successful, no matter what,” he says.

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tage, as young entrepreneurs often have less to lose. Today, Carter is married with three young boys, and he admits that his risk tolerance wouldn’t be the same.

To launch the business, Carter moved to Southwest Florida from Cincinnati. This area, he admitted, offers a few more distractions than

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Like most dedicated entrepreneurs, Carter worked seven days a week. Even when he took Sundays “off” to sit by the pool or go to the beach, he was still on his phone, running the business. Other people his age would say, “What are you doing over there?” and he’d tell them, “This is how it goes when you own a business.”

Aside from hard work, Carter em-

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team they can trust. In the early stages of his business, Carter brought his younger brother down to work for the company, as well as one of his best friends. “They believed in me, and I believed in them,” he says. Today, both are critical members of the Scotlynn enterprise.

“When you’re starting a business,

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you need people who are going to stick it out through thick and thin,” Carter says. “You need a great team around you that buys into the vision.”

A strong team, and a healthy dose of hard work, have been the keys to guiding this successful entrepreneur.

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More Than a Getaway RETREATS FOR THE BODY AND SOUL p_104

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AfterHours

AUGUST 2021

HORSEPOWER

By James Raia

Wealth of Options THE LUXURIOUS 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ GLB Mercedes-Benz doesn’t make it easy for luxury

Numerous option packages and sin-

crossover or sport utility vehicle buyers. It’s not

gle-time extras—such as a panoramic sun-

that the German automaker doesn’t offer qual-

roof, multi-contour front seats, adaptive

ity vehicles; it does. But where does a shopper

suspension, heated steering wheel, head-up

start?

display, satellite radio and a Burmester sur-

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB, a small, entry-level luxury sport utility vehicle, is available

round-sound system— all sharply boost the price.

in three trims: GLB 250, GLB 250 4Matic and

The GLB is an impressive compact SUV,

AMG GLB 35. Seating for five is standard in two

a competitor for the Audi Q3, BMW X1,

rows. An optional third row isn’t much more

Lincoln Corsair, Land Rover Discovery

than an afterthought; the rear seats are only ap-

Sport and Volkswagen Tiguan. But Mer-

propriate for tiny people.

cedes-AMG may find there’s another com-

For drivers with a penchant for sportiness in their SUVs, the AMG GLB 35 is opti-

petitor: the company’s own GLC-Class, which is only slightly larger.

mal. It expands on its GLB 250 siblings’ 2-li-

Equipped with many of the other trims’

ter, 221-horsepower, 4-cylinder engine. It’s

features, the GLB 35’s sporty look is accen-

matched with an eight-speed automatic trans-

tuated in several areas. The rear bumper has

mission and front-wheel drive or the all-wheel-

dual exhaust tips. A roof spoiler and front

drive 4Matic option. Technology is state-of-

splitter are also included. The interior is

the-art, although the varied front, side and rear

appointed well with microfiber and leather.

traffic and obstacle sensors are too sensitive.

A few futuristic upgrades are added, such as a non-intuitive touchscreen and digital



A SPORTY RIDE

gauge system. Shifting is accomplished by

The small, en-

the small arm behind the steering wheel. It

try-level luxury

can be confused with the windshield wiper

SUV is available

indicator, but works well after a learning ad-

in three trims.

justment.

Three rows of seating seem odd. The back seats are easy to access and configure, but seven-passenger seating stretches the capacity unless the five occupants in the sec8 8 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

Facts & Figures: 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 Acceleration: 0-60 mph, 5.1 seconds

Horsepower: 302

Price as tested: $60,135

Airbags: 8

Manufacturer’s suggested retail price: $49,500

Fuel economy: 21 mpg city, 26 mpg hwy

Manufacturer’s website: mbusa.com

Warranty: Bumper to bumper, 4 years/50,000; Powertrain, 4 years/50,000 miles; Corrosion, 4 years/50,000 miles; Roadside Assistance, 4 years/50,000

ond and third rows are jockey-sized

As the newbie to the expansive

gate of many things in one vehicle,

Mercedes SUV lineup, the GLB 35 is

sporty, refined and family-orient-

The GLB 35’s boxy exterior is also

positioned, as its lettering designates,

ed all worked into a so-defined en-

odd, but in a good way. While it looks

between the small GLA and the larger

try-level luxury vehicle. It’s a difficult

suited for off-road treks, its astute

GLC. Why a third option is necessary

formula to master, but the upscale

maneuvering and acceleration are

is difficult to understand. How many

SUV does it well. On the open road,

signature qualities and best for tradi-

more SUVs could the industry possi-

it defines Mercedes-AMG. The ride is

tional driving. The flat-bottom steer-

bly need?

quiet, the car is in command.

Courtesy Mercedes-Benz

or smaller.

ing wheel further adds to the fun.

Still, the AMG GLB 35 is an aggreG U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2021 8 9

AfterHours

AUGUST 2021

FITNESS

By James Raia

Just Add Water KAYAKING FOR FITNESS AND PLEASURE The 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin are often remem-

Recreational canoeing, kayaking and other paddle-

bered for American Jesse Owens winning four gold med-

sports are far removed from the Olympics. But whether

als, and for the international competition’s debut on tele-

it’s superior athletes in high-flowing rapids or newcomers

vision. With far less fanfare, kayaking premiered. It was

on sightseeing tours, paddlesports, particularly kayaking,

called flat-water racing or canoeing, and it included 119

have surged in popularity, including in Southwest Flori-

athletes from 19 countries—all men.

da. Numerous businesses in Collier and Lee counties offer kayaking lessons, as well as individual or group rental programs and guided tours.

premiered in 1972. Currently, 12 events are held in ca-

“Kayaking is an excellent form of exercise, because not

noeing and kayaking for men and women, in single and

only does it work your body, but it also gets you outside

four-person team events.

breathing fresh air and soaking up Vitamin D,” says Mi-

9 0 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

Nick Shirghio

In 1948, the Olympics added its first women’s paddling event, the 500-meter singles kayak. White water racing



SALES SURGE The purchase of paddlesports equipment in-

chele Block of Naples Kayak Company.

Appreciation of nature and fun family outings are key

creased 56% from 2019 to 2020, indicating a

kayaking goals. And it can also provide superior cardio-

rise in popularity for those seeking new options

vascular fitness. As a low-impact activity, kayaking im-

for exercise and getting back to nature.

proves upper body, back, arm, shoulder and chest muscle strength, in addition to increasing torso and leg strength.

Joint and tissue stress are minimal compared to other exercise options.

G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2021 9 1

ing a glow-in-the-dark night trek.

in mind the elements and start where you feel comfortable,” says

According to New York-based market re-

Block. “Safety is a top priority; always [remember] your PFD (per-

search company NPD, sales of paddlesports

sonal flotation device) with a whistle, and go with a group until you’re

equipment increased 56% from 2019 to 2020.

familiar with the area.”

While paddlesports equipment can be expen-

Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, Barefoot Beach Preserve and

sive and cumbersome to transport, remaining

Clam Pass are popular kayaking locations. Adventure Paddle Tours,

active while socially distancing is a new norm. A

located in Naples in Rookery Bay and in the Thousand Islands area,

recent report by Outdoor Industry Foundation

offers many kayaking options, short, family-focused outings to pri-

in Boulder, Colorado, concluded paddlesports’

vate, customizable overnight excursions. Florida Master Naturalists

increased popularity reflects exercise enthusi-

and certified sea kayakers provide guidance. A guide leading a trip

asts’ need for new options.

through protected estuaries and mangrove tunnels can help identify

“When picking out a kayak, keep your inten-

reclusive animals—including manatees, dolphins and seabirds—and

tions in mind,” says Block. “Would a sea kayak or

describe the uniqueness of a surrounding mangrove forest. In Bonita

recreational kayak be more beneficial? Naples

Springs, Get Up and Go Kayaking offers several kayak tours, includ-

has a great intercoastal area with calm waters.”

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“Anyone can start kayaking to improve their fitness level, just keep

PADDLING THROUGH NATURE While visiting any of the numerous places SWFL provides for paddlesports, wildlife is sure to be spotted.

New kayakers and veteran practitioners should be mindful of the activities’ realities.

Regulations, as well as simple common-sense principles, abound. Be considerate of other visitors. Camp only in designated areas. Dispose of waste properly. Leave what you find. Minimize campfire impacts. Prepare. Use the proper equipment. Respect wildlife.

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Adventures

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13535 Vanderbilt Drive,

Naples Kayak Company

1295 Capri Blvd., Capri

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2360 Shadowlawn Drive,

Paddlecraft Park, Naples

239.682.3134

Naples

239.293.6232

239.262.6149

upacreekkayak.com

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AfterHours

AUGUST 2021

NEW & NOTEWORTHY

By James Raia

Y

&

W

N

O R T

H

NEW O T E



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9 6 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

Courtesy BMW

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AfterHours

AUGUST 2021

W E E K E N D G E TA W AY

By Artis Henderson

A Devilishly Good Time THE INLAND CAVERNS OF DEVIL’S DEN OFFER A WILDERNESS EXCURSION Address goes here | 123.456.7890 | website.com Info in SemiBold: info goes here

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Info in SemiBold: info goes here Info in SemiBold: info goes here On cold winter mornings, steam rises eerily from an opening in the

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regular

Sollestium et quam,

ground near Williston, in north-central Florida. Surrounded by tall oaks draped in Spanish moss and set among rolling horse pastures,

it’s a strange place to imagine an underground cavern. Certainly, Info in itBold, info in gave early settlers the heebie-jeebies—that’s why they named the regular spot Devil’s Den. Today, the spring-fed cavern draws visitors from

verae volore eicae.

Dam cullibus, tem alique esci tem rerum qui consece

across the globe. With its stalactites, fossil beds and prehistoric Info in Bold, info in regular rock formations set in crystal-clear spring water, the underground

aquaessimil ipsam,

pool makes an exciting weekend destination.

moloruptatis autat

“ENDAERSP E R ROVIT E XP LAUTET, NEST I UM QUAS SUNDIT AL I QUA M, UT LABORP ORRO E NI MP OREPED QUI ODIS.” —First Last

uta voloris et facest arum ea aut id ut omnis ullest adi ipis dit velit ped unt pe offictibus mo qui nosam rerrumquid qui invenditia debis non natur sitist que ni to est porem aut ANCIENT HISTORY a quodiullanimus Devil’s Den prehistoric cave

tati ad que nonseni

once housed fossils that dated

tasperferum, cum-

to the Pleistocene era and now

quas acimusciunt

are on display at UF’s Museum

evel ma velessintus

of Natural History.

siniet ut offictur?

Getty

Beatecullant estrum

9 7 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

G U gulfshorebusiness.com L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A P R I L 2021 9 7

AfterHours W E E K E N D G E TA W AY

WHERE TO PLAY

versity of Florida’s Museum of Natural History.

Devil’s Den Spring (5390 NE 180th Ave, Williston;

What remain are intriguing rock formations,

352.528.3344; devilsden.com) is privately owned, and

stalactites and fossil beds, all unique places to

it offers recreational snorkeling, diving and swimming

explore underwater.

within its clear, cold waters. Snorkeling and diving equipment are both available for rent on-site. So are wet-

WHERE TO STAY

suits—the water stays a chilly 72 degrees year-round, and

Devil’s Den Spring offers accommodations on

a wetsuit, even for casual swimmers, is a good idea. The

its premises: four cabins available to rent, plus a

cavern’s spring offers 120 feet of surface diameter and a

large RV site with 32 hook-ups. For hardier trav-

maximum depth of 54 feet.

elers, there’s even tent camping available. The

The prehistoric cave once housed fossils that dated to

complex has a heated swimming pool, changing

the Pleistocene era. They’re now on display at the Uni-

areas with showers and a bathroom, picnic tables

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AfterHours W E E K E N D G E TA W AY

and charcoal grills. But if this all feels a little too back-to-nature, the nearby Herlong Mansion (402 NE Cholokka Blvd., Micanopy; 352.466.3322; herlong.com) offers a more genteel place to rest. Originally built in 1845, the mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to a three-course breakfast, guests enjoy home-baked cookies and wine in the evenings.

WHERE TO EAT This part of rural Florida is not known for its fine dining, so The Ivy House in Williston (106 NW Main St., Williston; 352.528.5410; ivyhousefl.com)

CLEAR AND COLD Snorkling and diving equipment, including wetsuits, are available for rent at Devil’s Den Spring, where the

is a rare gem. The restaurant, with a sister location in nearby Ocala, of-

water remains 72 degrees year-

fers southern comfort food favorites in an upscale setting. Try the Florida

round.

lobster tail, fried to a delectable golden crisp, and the filet mignon. Don’t miss the homemade mac and cheese, and look for daily specials along the

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AfterHours W E E K E N D G E TA W AY

AN OPULENT OPTION Built in 1845, Herlong Mansion offers deluxe accommodations in Micanopy, while The Ivy House is well known for fine dining in Williston.

lines of roast pork loin, braised short rib and pecan-crusted chicken. For more casual fare, seek out Frog’s Barbecue Pad (21031 NE Highway 27, Williston; 352.529.1023; facebook.com/frogsbbqpad), deep in the horse country that surrounds Devil’s Den. This side-of-the-road shack has been in the same spot for decades, and loyal customers drive hundreds of miles off-course for a bite of its pulled

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pork or barbecued ribs. It’s a great grab-and-

Courtesy Herlong Mansion, The Ivy House

go spot to load up on barbecue sandwiches, baked beans and fried corn nuggets for the road trip back to Southwest Florida.

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AfterHours

AUGUST 2021

UNWIND

By Justin Paprocki

More Than Getaways RETREATS FOR BODY AND SOUL It’s hot, business is slow … let’s escape this month. But think beyond just getting out of town. Think of it as a time to rest and rejuvenate your mind, body and soul. Health and wellness have become a focal point of resorts. It’s not enough just to offer a massage and spa; guests are seeking an all-encompassing wellness offering. Here’s a few to check out.

Canyon Ranch Lenox

Point Lodge. The retreat offers luxury

Canyon Ranch retreats are spread out across the United States, spe-

accommodations right on the edge of

cializing in wellness-centered getaways. The Berkshires location is in

the wilderness. It’s just a short hike to be

the stately Bellefontaine Mansion, a former boarding school that now

surrounded by nature, where the lodge’s

features the Integrative Health Center and luxury spa. The Personal

wellness staff can help arrange for private

Discovery Pathway is a way to plan a multi-night stay that incorpo-

yoga, mindfulness or forest bathing ses-

rates everything from your favorite yoga class to consultations from

sions. stillpointlodge.com

its team of doctors and spiritualists. canyonranch.com The Sewall House is one of the top yoga

The Omega Institute is an internationally known holistic wellness

retreats in the country. You’ll learn

organization that’s recently reopened after a lengthy pandemic shut-

yoga from the best—Donna Davidge,

down. You’ll stay in quaint cabins in the Hudson Valley hills and spend

who has more than 30 years’ experi-

your days meditating in the serene sanctuary, exploring the 250-acre

ence. She teaches in the farmhouse her

campus and taking its many wellness classes. It’s known for bringing in

great-grandfather built, and which once

big-namehealthexperts,suchasDeepakChopra,fortalksandworkshops.

hosted Teddy Roosevelt for nature re-

eomega.org

treats. Summer is a time to get out on the nearby lake, but if you wait for winter, the

Still Point Lodge

surrounding mountains are perfect for

OK, here’s how you really get away from it all. First, go to Alaska. Find

cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

the small city of Homer. Then take a boat or float plane to the Still

sewallhouse.com

1 0 4 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

Courtesy Still Point Lodge

Sewall House Omega Institute

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