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SWFL CRE, Mayor CONSTRUCTION DEVELOPMENT presents&“Vision of Estero”

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

for Estero residents.” She continued, look at commercial estate & construction updates inVillage Southwest Florida Focus onABusiness Katy real Errington wants maximum efficiency in the “Water quality is extremely important Special to SWFBT Currently, she noted, Estero has the to residents: the village will be moving Services Our Trade Show in Print and Online provides information to make your business more successful.

Organization Spotlight: American Advertising Federation

Learn more in the centerspread. Members are featured inside.

Submitted By: Karen P. Moore, Publisher

Estero Mayor Katy Errington recently shared her thoughts about the growth and development of the village.

“The government model we adapted for the Village is referred to as ‘Government Lite,’ ” Errington explained, “which means we outsource government services to keep the costs down for residents.”

lowest tax rate as well as the highest financial reserves in Southwest Florida.

The village is currently working with a consulting firm to provide studies for all function areas of the government to maximize efficiency. Estero also has a fully funded five-year capital improvement plan, including a $10-million project for Estero Parkway. Errington also pointed out, “Environmental sustainability is the number one priority

from septic to sewer and studies are underway so that we can better utilize the river for recreational purposes.”

Regarding business development, the mayor indicated: “We have first class retail in Estero, excellent schools and excellent healthcare.” She added, “There is also potential for a performing arts center coming to Estero.”

ESTERO See page 18

THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE TAKES ROOT AT BABCOCK RANCH

SWFL CRE, CONSTRUCTION & DEVELO A CLOSER LOOK AT FINN FARMS

CRE Construction & Development

The Finn Farms concept proA look at commercial real estate & construction motes updates inandSouthwe clean food helps reduce the environmental impact of global food production and agriculture. This $10-millionplus pilot project has enormous potential to be scaled into turnkey greenhouse franchise businesses that could revolutionize agricultural production across the nation – providing year-round access to fresh, local produce utilizing 95% less water than traditional agriculture.

SPECIAL THIS ISSUE A collection of information to help you navigate Southwest Florida’s CRE, Building and Development marketplace.

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rs and Salute to Entrepreneu solo practitioners

Startups, of the economy visionaries fuel Southwest Florida.

Brady Photos by Christine trade to the Southof international offices. about the importance Buqueras talks Lee County Economic Development Director Carlos the first-ever stop at Port Manatee Executive during the Port’s west Florida market

Estate Commercial Real 8-page pullout

South American

A comprehensive a quarterly Southsection that is Real Eswest Florida Commercial

Fort businesses visit

Myers

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IN THE NEWS

to Dave Gammon elevated Charlotte EDO director

in the wake of Charlotte County, joinLucienne Pears former director Partners at Babcock ing Kitson and former Business Ranch, elevated and interim Recruitment Supervisor to executive director Dave Gammon Economic Developdirector of the ment Office. face in reGammon is a familiar he development as gional economic three years with his has proven in EDO. County Charlotte continue leading He is excited to like developments several existing page 19

Florida to communities in second one of four host as part of the Lee County was from seven countries welcome companiesTrade Summit.

Manatee, annual International International Trade Hub at Port Fort Lauseries visited Organized by The one day Business opportunity ota and Tampa for the 2019 Global Bradenton/Saras derdale, Fort Myers,to 29.

26 Office, Southwest each from Aug. ReEconomic Development and the Southwest The Lee County Chamber of Commerce the event, which Florida Hispanic Association co-hosted gional Manufacturers Gulf Railway.

Chile, Colombia, was sponsored Seminole from Argentina, other locales International companies Spain, Peru and Mexico, goods, artisanal apparel, El Salvador, Guatemala, food, coffee, fruits, cooking systems featured wine, snack and state-of-the-art to merchandise companies Lee County industryof founded as part summit showcases during the summit. Trade Hub at Port Manatee, and An expo-style from seven nations markets in Florida and business leaders visiting Summit.

The International International Trade advice as a vital link between provides expert See page 6 the second annual in 2014, serves world. The hub TRADE throughout the

ENEURS h SALUTE TO ENTREPR poised for growt and Business Intermediary Proess Advisors experi- a CertifiedMergers & Acquisitions transaction Edison Busin the IBBA ap- Certified designations from ence totaling partner and

GAMMON See

Privacy & Cyber Security d Forum announce

& Cyber SeA special Privacy held on Friwill be at curity Forum 9 a.m. to noon day, Nov. 8, fromNews Community the Naples Daily room.

Companies will William C. Huff and insponsor the informational for the community. teractive forum forum is for atThe goal of the clearer undera tendees to gain keep their famito standing of how businesses private. lies, wealth and FORUM See page

18

in fi$170 fessional a Eric Gall, managing with a concentration proximately for Edison Avenue, won and an MBAthe University of Michigan. broker of record brokerage and lower million. Gall transactions and nance from leading business Gall in business the 2018, 2016 and acquisitions Niehaus, Bro- Assisting middle market mergers Pfeffer, Steven 2014 Business significant changes No. 1 are Michael and Phillip Reda. firm, is announcing kers of Florida Edward Valaitis Business Adto operations.

Top Dollar Producer to rebrand itself Pfeffer joins Edison of business The firm has decided over 20 years Award for Southwest Advisors” to better out visors with experience, including 12 as “Edison Business service offerings, Florida, beating busi- transactionbusiness brokerage franchise communicate addedbusiness appraisals, Gall a over 90 other He is years as Southwest Florida. Pfeffer is a including certified appraisals and certiness brokers. owner in Certified certified equipment Business Brokers Board Certified Intermediary, International an and also page 6 strategies.

See fied exit EDISON Chairman’s Circle mergers and acquisiBrokerage and led by Association Award winner. Eric holds continue to be tions efforts will 20 years of business Deal Maker Gall. He has over OPENING

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Hoffmann Family buys Hertz Arena, Everblades

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

The Hoffmann Family of Companies has entered into an agreement to purchase the Florida Everblades and the Hertz Arena.

Plans are underway for a complete renovation of the 8,284-seat, multipurpose arena. The improvements will include enhanced skyboxes, food services and installation of a state-ofthe-art scoreboard.

Hertz Arena, which opened in 1998 as Everblades Arena, hosts a variety of events including concerts, Cirque du Soleil, Disney on Ice, boxing and trade shows. The venue offers

Focus on Manufacturing

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

25 suites, two additional ice rinks, a private club and a pub, Breakaway Sports Pub. The arena is also home to the Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles club hockey team of the American Collegiate Hockey Association.

“We are optimistic that all of the 330 employees will remain with the Hoffmann Family of Companies,” said Craig Brush, Florida Everblades President and General Manager, who signed a five-year contract and has a commitment from all his senior staff to remain in place.

“We are thrilled to be acquired by

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

IN THE NEWS

Fort Myers sixth Business Summit slated for Sept. 20

Holly Bell addresses citrus growers about the 25,000-plus uses for industrial hemp, which can now be grown legally in Florida

Cannabis chief promises rich stash for hemp growers Special to SWFBT Submitted By: Jacob Ogles, Editor

SUMMIT See page 7

When other states started authorizing farmers to grow hemp, it didn’t take long to realize there was no place to sell it. Because no structures had been put in place for processing and manufacturing plants, state officials found themselves rushing a regulatory structure through so farmers could offload their first harvests.

Holly Bell, Florida’s first Director of Cannabis, plans to learn from that mistake. She said the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will make sure all parts of the burgeoning hemp industry can move forward as soon as new rules unroll later this fall.

“When our farmers are ready for a cash flow, we want to encourage them to get going,” she said.

Applications being accepted for the 25th Blue Chip Award The 25th Annual Southwest Florida Blue Chip Community Business Award application deadline is fast approaching. The Blue Chip Community Business Award recognizes successful, small businesses in Lee, Collier or Charlotte County that have overcome adversity to achieve success. Applications must be submitted by Wednesday, Sept. 4.

The independent judges select the honoree after all the applications AWARD See page 19

Bell spoke in August at the Citrus Expo and Vegetable and Specialty Crop Expo, where growers from around the region gathered to hear her discuss this new and just recently legal product to diversify their inventory.

Just a few years ago, there were no legal reasons to grow cannabis in Florida. Now, medical marijuana dispensaries pop up in more shopping centers each week. Soon, farmers will grow non-narcotic hemp crops.

With the 2018 federal farm bill allowing hemp to grow, a budding industry will soon emerge in Florida. The Legislature this year authorized a pilot program for growing hemp in the Sunshine State, and state officials are nearly done weeding through a stack of public suggestions.

GrowFL announced this year’s 50 Florida Companies to Watch honorees, including three from Southwest Florida. Companies to Watch is a statewide competition that identifies companies expected to see significant growth over the next several years.

The GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch awards program—now in its ninth year—honors 50 select second-stage companies from throughout Florida for developing valuable products and services, creating quality jobs, enriching communities, and broadening new industries throughout Florida. Chosen from 500 growing second-stage nominations from throughout, Florida, the 50 companies named as the 2019 Florida Companies to Watch honorees generated nearly $1 billion in revenue and added over 900 jobs between 2015 and 2018. Together, the honorees project a 35 percent increase in revenue and 37 percent increase in job growth in 2019 compared to 2018.

“These stand-out companies are all led by entrepreneurs, and have demonstrated their capacity and intent to grow,” said Dr. Tom O’Neal, GrowFL executive director. “They also all have critical intellectual property or a niche position that gives them a competitive edge in their markets,” he said.

Local honorees include: Cottrell Title & Escrow, Collier County; Mettauer Environmental, Lee County; and VeraData, Lee County .

“This list recognizes second-stage Florida companies with passionate leaders who are making a difference in growing and diversifying our economy,” said Jennifer Barrows, GrowFL Chairman of the GrowFL Advisory Board and Business Development Executive with WithumSmith+Brown, PC. Second-stage companies are those

HEMP See page 5

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HOT CROP Commercial Real Estate

The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce has announced an exciting line-up for its 2019 Business Summit, set for Sept. 20. The summit, now in its sixth year, will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa in Fort Myers.

This year’s keynote address is “Communicate Your Way to Success,” by entrepreneur, business coach and international speaker Jason Evers. Evers has traveled to more than 20 countries on five continents

such a prestigious company. Our partnership with the Hertz Corporation and now this new ownership ensures that Hertz Arena will maintain our strong community presence and continue to be the number one choice for entertainment in Southwest Florida.”

The team and the arena were previously owned by Peter Karmanos, founder of Compuware Corporation and prior majority owner of the Carolina Hurricanes in the National Hockey League.

“Simply put, without the support of

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IN THE NEWS Collier names Pelican as ‘Business of the Wire Month’

During the July ty Commission 9 Collier CounWire was named meeting, Pelican ty ‘Business of the Collier Counthe Month’ and recognized by was the a manufacturing Board for being County for over leader in Collier 40 years.

Pelican Wire President Ted Bill, who received the are truly honored award, said “We Collier County to be named the Month’ for July.‘Business of the Since moving AWARD See page

Gov. DeSantis announces job growth grants

4

Gov. Ron DeSantis the Florida Departmentannounced of Economic Opportunity Florida are acceptingand Enterprise economic development project proposals for the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund. $40 million is available to fund training and public job projects that support infrastructure growth and employment in Florida.

“We know the frastructure projects importance inand workforce training has on economic development,” said DeSantis.

“The Florida Job Growth Grant Fund will help Florida communities ensure they GRANTS See page

12

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Dr. Sandra Kauanui (left) and Noemi Ailynee Ramirez, Y. Perez (right) Jessica Sales, with - TIF Shark Daisy Montanez, Tank winners

Alondra Estrada Swap & Shop teamNeika Exulus, Young entrep reneurs share ideas, earn award s

Special to SWFBT Submitted By: Noemi Y. Perez Southwest Florida tion’s business-theme students in The Immokalee Foundad summer camp entrepreneurial recently shared ideas their Tank event modeled and garnered awards during a Shark The four-week after the popular TV show. was a partnership Business Management Pathway Coast University’sbetween the foundation and Floridacamp Gulf developed businessInstitute for Entrepreneursh ip. among them: finding plans that solved problems Students common clothes on a budget; centric finances; handling ñera; and findinggetting better sleep; planning studenta quincearestaurants suitable stricted diets. for people with reStudent teams gave presentations about ences, startup costs, their target audiprojected profits, marketing other aspects of entrepreneurial plans and Dr. Sandra Kauanui, enterprises at iTECH mokalee. Judges FGCU Director spoke during the for of Entrepreneurs Smart Companies the presentations were: Brian in Imevent. hip, Rist, The Smart Companies executive chairman; Sofia Blanno, gram allows shoppers to arrange tor of corporate intern; and Matthew Turner, Hertz The through social an app, then physically to buy, sell or swap items direcFirst place awards responsibility. central location exchange those in Immokalee. items at a Shop team of Neika of $500 each went to the MentorUs, Daisy Montanez Exulus, Jessica Sales, Alondra Swap & smart financial an app that encourages students and Ailynee Ramirez.

Estrada, decisions, earned interested in dressing Aimed at students for team members second place of to make fashionably on $250 each Alex Soriano, a budget, the pro- ie Etienne, Azael Simon-Quirino Je’an Espinoza, Myrlandand Simson Devesaint.

Fort Myers Mayor

launches Divers ity Committee

SHARK See page

Special to SWFBT Submitted By: Karen P. Moore, Publisher more inclusive city.

Student Hailey Countryman asked her employer, Sanibel Captiva “It is never too the Mayor if he munity Bank, Comlate to give up had to FGCU’s College on diversity whom a team of advisors Education. your prejudices.” of Henry David Thoreau for guidance. Since he could rely on said, “We In a recent interview she can’t really say question was no, the answer to that ing to be representative we are tryat that moment Fort Myers Mayor derson felt Henof our city’s derson has known Randy Hen- a team. inspired to create just such residents and community if we don’t have diversity Ndiang’ui wanted Florida Gulf Coast University on the to make She sure the Mayor explained the council itself.” was prepared ter Ndiang’ui for professor Dr. Pe- road ahead committee drew about 10 years and asked him, for the its 18 members was a guest speaker and from the commu“Are in his class, “In- really able to handle the truth?” you nity, representing troduction to Diversity,” diversity project moved The ethnicity, forward. in Novemgender and sexualin race, ber. Henderson Beth Countryman, asked students Hailey’s moth- tity. “We can’t be a committee idenhe could do to what er, became make Fort Myers up of old white made involved with men and think the project, going a which led to we are a $25,000 donation to be in charge of diversity.” from DIVERSITY See page 11 Payment Plans Available • Discounted Merchandise Parking Options Discount • Presale • Private Parties & Exclusive Gifts on Hertz Arena Concerts & Family Shows Buy Any 19/20 & Get A $20 Membership Pack FORD’S GIFT & ‘BLADES TOTE CARD BAG Valid on any NEW

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Lee, Collier unemployment cut by half since June 2020

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity announced the unemployment rate in the Fort Myers area was 5.3% in June, down from 11% in June 2020. The Fort Myers area private

FINN FARMS FAST FACTS:

Finn Farms opened its $13-million operation at Babcock Ranch. The farm uses a revolutionary, energy-efficient chill system already employed in Finland.

Hydroponic facility launches in Charlotte Finnish entrepreneurs seeking to ensure a sustainable food supply for future generations celebrated the launch of a $13-million growing facility at Babcock Ranch. The proto-type hydroponics operation combines proven technologies that have achieved year-round indoor production of fresh greens in the arctic climate of Finland with a revolutionary, energy-efficient chilling system designed to achieve the same result in the heat and humidity of Florida.

“My partners and I are on a mission to reduce the environmental impact of food production and agriculture all around the globe,” said Oskari Kariste, chairman of

Finn Farms. “Our fully-controlled, closed environment eliminates the need for pesticides, has no emissions to nature, and uses 95% less water than open-field farming.”

Finn Farms was able to further shrink its environmental footprint by building the facility at Babcock Ranch, the world’s first solar-powered town.

“Finn Farms is a great example of the type of businesses that can thrive at Babcock Ranch,” said Syd Kitson, chairman and CEO of Kitson & Partners and founder of Babcock Ranch. “Our solar energy FARM See page 18

IN THE NEWS sector employment increased by 9,400 Apply or nominate for jobs over the year, an increase of 4.3%.

SWFL INCredible Awards The industries gaining the most jobs over the year include construction, increasing by 2,200 jobs; education and health services, increasing by 2,000 jobs; trade, transportation and utilities,

GROWTH See page 4

Nominations are open now for the 2021 SWFL INCredible Awards, celebrating the businesses, nonprofits and individuals who help Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties thrive.

• 100,010 square feet (2.5 acres, approx. size of a football field) • Twelve 300-foot growing lines • Daily planting capacity of 60,000 • Annual production capacity of up to 1.5 million pounds – equal to 60 acres of open field farming • Water consumption 95% below traditional agriculture • Adjustable production – both product type and quantities • No pesticides • All natural, non-animal based fertilizers • Non-GMA seeds

Finalists and winners will be recognized at a Sept. 9 awards program hosted by SWFL Inc. at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa. Award applications and tickets to attend the event are available at AWARD See page 16

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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

AAF-SWFL MEMBER

Print is dead? Think again

Today, it is easy to think that print is tals are utilized by dead. Digital media and digital advertislocal and national ing seem to be everywhere you turn; they clients.

Presstige are easily produced and even more easPrinting purchased ily, and inexpensively, distributed. Some state-of-the-art prosectors of the print industry, like newspacessing and printing pers, have seen a marked decline. machines, the latest But print is very much alive, and techin commercial diginology is driving it to thrive. tal presses as well as The acceleration of digital print techthe industry-leading nology in the last decade has been asHeidelberg LED UV tounding. The latest in digital presses aloffset printing press, low printers to realize efficient short-run BY WES the only one of its digital printing and finishing that rival WEIDENMILLER kind on Florida’s traditional offset print, with a quick turn- Guest Columnist west coast. around at a fraction of the offset price.

Wes WeidenmillHigh-technology offset presses are er, president of Presstige Printing, comstill best for large-run jobs. The latest mented, “Our company has seen an avergeneration of presses offer speed and ef- age of 15% growth year-over-year since ficiencies previously unheard of in offset, coming out of the recession in 2012; We with amazing color and finishing options are now three times our pre-recession that elevate products to new levels. size. Although we felt the impact of COAdditionally, the print world has an e- VID-19, we are now on pace with our commerce platform called Web-to-Print pre-pandemic growth rate for 2021.” that offers customers and clients the abil- Weidenmiller credits the company’s ability to design and purchase custom print ity to rebound to its focus on continuous products from the convenience of their improvement and investment in technolcomputer or mobile device. ogy, equipment and the workforce.

Locally, Presstige Printing in Bonita Springs invested in these technologies Contact Weidenmiller at (239) 949-8518 pre-pandemic. Their Web-to-Print por- or wes@presstigeprinting.com.

Page 3

BUSINESS SERVICES Everblades hockey franchise one of league’s most popular The Florida Everblades are a professional minor league ice hockey team serving the Cape Coral-Fort Myers metropolitan area. The organization strives to provide affordable and fun family entertainment.

The team competes in the ECHL, which is the premier AA professional hockey league. Thirtysix players have started their career with the Everblades and gone on to play in the major leagues, including two this past year. The Everblades are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Nashville Predators and the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals. Their home games are played at Hertz Arena.

Since their inception in 1998, the Florida Everblades led the league in attendance for the sixth time this past season. On the ice, the Everblades are one of the most competitive teams in the league. They have failed to qualify for the playoffs just once in team history and have made four appearances in the Kelly Cup finals, winning in 2012.

On May 23, 2012, the team won its first ECHL Championship with a 4-3 overtime victory over the Las Vegas Wranglers in Game 5 of the 2012 Kelly Cup Finals in front of a standing room only crowd.

Hertz Arena is Southwest Florida’s premier entertainment venue offering a variety of different events and shows. In addition to hockey, the arena has hosted such shows as Elton John, Brad Paisley, Tom Petty, Zac Brown Band, Eric Church, Alan Jackson, Cirque du Soleil, WWE, as well as family events like Disney on Ice, Harlem Globetrotters and Sesame Street Live.

The arena’s recreation building features two additional ice rinks that operate year-round and they offer youth and adult hockey leagues, a figure skating academy, skating lessons and family skating sessions.

More than 400,000 people per year take part in these activities.

For more information about Everblades Hockey or Hertz Arena events, call (239) 948-7825.

Times, styles, and tastes change, but our commitment to the AdFed remains the same.

Christopher Spiro -1990

Christopher Spiro - 2021

Thankfully, some things get better with age. And, over the past 30+ years, the American Advertising Federation in Southwest Florida, Spiro & Associates, and Christopher Spiro’s hairstyle have been three of them. We salute the committed new guard leading the resurgence our Ad Fed’s current chapter, including our own, Don Gross as Vice President. At the same time, we fondly recall the years when Chris was heavily involved and mullets were in style (were they ever?). Great job, AdFed! May your best years be ahead of you.

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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

AUGUST 2021

Ethics in the land of resorts and hospitality

Southwest Florida is famous as a destination for tourgenerous with drinks, and possibly food, ism and for resorts and hospitality that attract second-home increasing costs to the establishment. purchasers and other long-term residents. The consumption Conversely, an inebriated customer may of alcohol is central to many businesses in the Southwest end up being charged an inflated price Florida hospitality industry – country clubs, restaurants, for the bill and/or tip. Moreover, hospibars, night clubs and the like. tality employees are often in more intiThis is not a column advocating teetotaling, but it does mate positions with customers – cleanturn out that the consumption of alcohol raises a number of ing their rooms or overhearing personal additional workplace ethics issues for employees, customconversations. This information might ers or both. These venues all have laid-back atmospheres put the customer in an awkward situation in which employees are encouraged to deliver high-quality relative to the employee. service and develop long-term, satisfied customers. The A country club has the convoluted sitBY ERIC laid-back atmosphere is often mirrored by a fairly casual DENT uation where a customer (member) may approach to management (at country clubs, overseen by also be the employee’s ultimate boss (if a Guest Columnist boards) – starting and stopping times are often not fixed, a board member). Perhaps, it is customary customer may be allowed to buy an employee a drink, or an for a clubhouse employee to collect and return golf clubs employer might allow an employee to do an extra service from member homes. What if a member (especially a board for a good customer. member) wants the employee to complete extra chores?

These dynamics create more gray areas than in typical Perhaps, the golf pro approves of the employee doing this businesses. The simple fact that mixed drinks consist of while on the clock if the member is “important.” small portions poured from liquor bottles creates a measureMost workplaces have more than their share of ethiment and ethics problem. For example, can a server “over” cal conundrums. Tourism and hospitality has even more. pour (make the drink with more liquor) for some custom- Whether you are a Southwest Florida tourism and hospitalers? Can the server offer a good customer a free drink (“this ity employee, customer or both, be especially mindful of one’s on me.”)? These actions likely result in larger tips for your personal code of ethics. A few of these would include: the server, but cost the establishment money. Can a server treat everyone with dignity (not taking advantage of inebriaccept a “gift” of some sort from a customer that often cre- ated, or otherwise vulnerable, customers); maintain imporates a felt obligation of reciprocity – back to providing ad- tant boundaries (don’t take what belongs to your employer, ditional food or drink? Does the employer see these as good don’t ask for special services); and don’t enter into conflicts overall business tactics, or improper, self-serving actions? of interest (don’t lie to benefit yourself or your company, As we’ve seen in the news from the “Me Too” move- don’t accept your company’s paycheck and steal or give ment and even business dealings between a U.S. President away company property). and his child(ren), many unethical situations arise because of relationships between people. Alcohol has a way of re- Dr. Eric B. Dent is the Uncommon Friends Endowed Chair ducing inhibitions, making the proper boundaries between Professor of Ethics at Florida Gulf Coast University. He is people blurry. A server and a customer might develop a ro- also a consultant to organizations and a speaker to national mantic or sexual relationship so that the server is even more audiences. Contact edent@fgcu.edu or (239) 590-7162 ®

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One Source Business Capital secures $3.39M SBA Loan for client

One Source Business Capital closed a $3,390,000 SBA loan, with an additional $250,000 working capital line of credit, for a client to purchase an antique and classic car restoration business. The buyer had 5% for a down payment but was unable to secure a traditional bank loan. So instead, the client was referred to One Source, a mortgage consulting firm with experience in structuring these types of transactions. One Source secured an SBA loan at a fixed rate of 6% for five years, and a 15-year term.

“This client created a strong business model for the purchase of the auto restoration business but just needed the financial assistance for a successful implementation,” said David Marcantonio, president/founder of One Source. “Sometimes our clients don’t meet the strict guidelines of traditional bank lending but would be very successful if given the opportunity to purchase the business.

Our relationships with the traditional banking industry, the nation’s top private lenders, and non-bank lenders allow us to assist clients in meeting their business lending and capital needs in a variety of situations.”

The SBA consistently ranks One Source Business Capital as a top producer for non-bank lenders around the country for business capital. One Source Business Capital has office locations in Florida, Texas, Massachusetts and Connecticut; and can assist in lending to businesses nationwide.

With more than 26 years of experience in bringing borrowers and direct capital together, One Source Business Capital has funded over $460 million for small businesses. Affiliations with the nation’s largest non-bank lenders allow One Source Business Capital to provide loans to businesses that banks may have denied in the past.

To learn more about One Source Business Capital, call (860) 307-4224 or visit www.osbcapital.com.

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increasing by 1,900 jobs; and leisure and hospitality, increasing by 1,400 jobs.

The unemployment rate in the Naples area was 4.7% in June, down from 10.7% reported in June 2020. The Naples area private sector employment increased by 8,900 jobs over the year, an increase of 6.8%. The industries gaining the most jobs over the year include leisure and hospitality, increasing by 2,300 jobs, and professional and business services, increasing by 2,100 jobs.

The DEO reports Florida experienced 14 consecutive months of job growth, gaining 69,300 private sector jobs over the month, which is more than double the revised May 2021 private sector employment gain of 34,600 jobs. Florida has gained 907,900 jobs since the height of the pandemic. For 11 consecutive months, Florida’s unemployment rate, currently at 5%, has remained below the national rate, which is currently at 5.9%. Florida’s unemployment rate has dramatically lowered over the year, decreasing by 6.6 percentage points.

AUGUST 2021

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

Page 5

BUSINESS SERVICES

Furniture-buying timeline surprises many business owners We want it now.

Whether “it” is toilet paper, a new vehicle or dinner, when Americans decide they want something, they want it now. That’s why current disruptions to the supply chain and labor shortages can be so frustrating – we can’t have everything now.

When shopping for office furniture, many business owners and managers are surprised they cannot just pick out desks, chairs and tables and have them delivered the next day. The process to outfit an office with high-quality, custom furniture is not measured in days or even weeks. Planning starts months ahead of when businesses want their new furniture.

There are five primary reasons that businesses need new office furniture: (1) Their current furniture is worn out, (2) They are consolidating multiple offices into one location, (3) They are expanding to new locations, (4) They are reconfiguring interior spaces, or (5) Their business operations are changing. In each case, leadership teams generally know the changes are coming months in advance.

Below is an office furniture-buying guideline for businesses: • 9 months out: Study furniture styles and trends. Office furniture comes in all shapes, sizes and colors. It can be traditional, transitional, contemporary, industrial or another style, and often reflects

the personality of a company and its employees. A tech startup, for example, might opt for a more modern look with clean lines and shared workspaces. Meanwhile, a law firm could choose a classic look with dark oak finishes.

• 6 months out: Schedule a professional consultation to review furniture needs and measure interior spaces. This is also when the budget conversation starts.

BY JOE • 3 months out: Place the orGAMMONS der. For larger orders, manufacGuest Columnist turers often need a 12-week lead time to produce, package and ship materials to a customer’s exact specifications. Disruptions in the supply chain from material shortages, labor shortages and severe weather can derail timelines.

• 1 month out: Confirm the installation date.

Most businesses don’t have the luxury of closing for a day or two while crews remove old furniture and assemble new furniture. Professional installers ensure that furniture is assembled quickly and to a manufacturer’s exact specifications.

• 1 week out: Review the installation logistics.

Furniture installation is a highly choreographed enter-

Don’t forget to post your in-person and virtual events on our B2B events calendar at www.swfloridabusinesstoday.com/calendar prise. Time is money for a business, and an experienced installation team strives to minimize operational disruptions.

The alternative to not planning ahead is being stuck with whatever furniture is in stock. Oftentimes, if a big-box store has an abundant supply of office furniture, it’s because no one else wanted it. Online retailers may have ample inventory and offer great prices, but products often are lower quality and not custom for a space. And once it’s delivered, who will assemble and install furniture pieces?

Business executives might only purchase office furniture a few times during their careers. It’s important to get it right. Effective workspace planning requires time and expertise, but great workspaces help great employees thrive.

Joe Gammons is president of OFDC Commercial Interiors, Southwest Florida’s premier source for quality office furniture and design concepts since 1974. Visit OFDC-inc.com or call (239) 347-4876.

BUSINESS SERVICES Are you leveraging business-building opportunities?

Whether you are a professional lookpartners and clients ing to start a new business, expand your as well as mentors current reach or further engage in the and peers who are community, relationships and resources ready and willing to are key to a successful business. offer their insight, But where do you start? expertise and guidHelping business owners and proance. fessionals connect to the tools they A chamber offers need for success, your local chamber a web of like-mindof commerce can provide a boost in ed business profesthe business community. Representing sionals committed businesses of all sizes and across every to helping each industry, chambers are a dedicated part- BY COLLEEN other grow. Beyond ner that understand your community DEPASQUALE networking, a welland are dedicated to furthering the busi- Guest Columnist connected chamber nesses that call it home. can also lead you Yet while there are myriad ways a to relevant information, tools and rechamber of commerce can support the sources that are available within your growth of your business, many busi- community. nesses fail to leverage these partnerships 2. Advance your knowledge and to their full potential. career path The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Our individual success becomes this Commerce recommends three business- community’s success, which means perbuilding opportunities that owners and sonal and professional growth is critical professionals must take advantage of: for our business community to thrive.

1. Connect to your community Community- and business-focused eduIt is all about who you know. Partici- cational programs help empower busipating in meaningful networking events ness professionals to stand out in a comallows business professionals to make petitive market. valuable connections with potential Engaging educational programs

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and mentorship opportunities offered through a chamber of commerce are geared with business and professional development in mind.

3. Advocate for your business Decisions made at the local, regional and state levels trickle down to the businesses in our community. From issues like business liability protection and minimum wage to water quality and tourism funding, businesses must be part of the conversation.

Chambers of commerce act as a voice for business on legislative, community and economic development issues, tracking the issues, pursuing dialogue with legislators and helping businesses navigate the impacts of new or modified legislation.

A well-connected business is better prepared to prosper in today’s competitive market. Leveraging the multitude of business-building resources within our community can help set you on the track for continued success.

Colleen DePasquale is the president and CEO of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce. Visit www.FortMyers. org or call (239) 332-2930.

State awards $92,000 of grants to SWFL projects The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity announced grant awards totaling more than $92,000 in Southwest Florida communities. Grant funding will be used to improve infrastructure, community redevelopment, and job creation in small and rural communities.

Awards include $92,500 through the Community Planning Technical Assistance program.

“We will work closely with these communities to meet their infrastructure needs and prepare them for the future in order to ensure strong economic development,” said Dane Eagle, secretary of the Department of Economic Opportunity.

Charlotte County ($50,000) – to evaluate the county’s comprehensive plan and the Community Planning Act requirements.

City of Everglades City ($42,500) – to complete an evaluation and update the city’s comprehensive plan.

Statewide, DeSantis announced that DEO awarded grants totaling more than $30 million in small and rural Florida throughout the state of Florida.

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Page 6

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

AUGUST 2021

Taste of Immokalee funds expansion, youth program

Taste of Immokalee is rapidly expanding. With this growth comes the hurdle that many small businesses struggle to overcome: the ability to finance the expansion. As avid supporters of Taste of Immokalee, the Tamiami Angels have made a generous donation of $100,000 to help with this expansion.

In 2016, a Southwest Florida-based group of investors known as Tamiami Angel Fund Investors was introduced to Taste of Immokalee. Investors were impressed by the benefit corporation structure and vision of TOI and expressed a desire to help.

As a result of Tamiami Angel Fund Investors’ efforts, a partnership was forged with the Community Foundation of Collier County to launch the Taste of Immokalee Social Investment Fund.

Through the TOI Social Investment Fund, investors are donating the shares in the company purchased with their charitable gift to the Community Foundation of Collier County. As a TOI shareholder, the Foundation could benefit from the sale of those shares if Taste of Immokalee takes off and the Company is sold. The proceeds from a sale would be reinvested by the CFCC to further local economic development and entrepreneurship, especially those in Immokalee.

Taste of Immokalee is set up as a B-Corp, a hybrid between a nonprofit and for-profit company. It seeks profits and pays taxes, but it has a mission for public benefit, which in its case means giving back to Immokalee through donations.

The rising popularity of impact investing is not just anecdotal. In 2020, according to the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, the size of the impact investment market grew by an astonishing 42.4% in the last year — from $502 billion to $715 billion in assets under management.

Through the leadership of the Tamiami Angels,

“Anytime we can help high school students get real world job training to better prepare them for today’s workforce is always a win/win for both the students and future employers. The Taste of Immokalee program has successfully trained local students on all aspects of managing their own realtime business and created quality consumer products in the meantime.”

— Marie Capita, Taste of Immokalee Executive Director CFCC and TOI, local Southwest Florida investors can participate in this popular investment style and make a direct investment through the CFCC. “While the Tamiami Angels impact investment was the first of its kind for Southwest Florida in 2016, the triple win structure of impact investing has caught fire on a national level,” said Timothy J. Cartwright, chairman of the Tamiami Angel Fund Investors. “Today, impact investing is ubiquitous, however, local opportunities can be hard to find and fund. This investment vehicle creates a turnkey approach for local individuals to directly fund and, on a firsthand basis, witness the community impact.”

To date, TAFI has raised $115,358.50 for investment in TOI. In addition, TAFI has been active in trying to raise the level of awareness to this type of socially responsible impact investing in our community with TOI being the direct beneficiary. Cartwright, also chairman of the Taste of Immokalee Board, said “Tamiami Angels are proud to support Taste of Immokalee and their mission of teaching

confidence and leadership skills to high school students. Over the years, the students we meet as timid freshmen grow into high achieving and outgoing college-bound seniors. It is a thrill to see the Taste of Immokalee program awaken the entrepreneurial spirit inside of each student as they leverage their God given talents to pursue personal and professional development goals.”

Taste of Immokalee has been more successful than ever dreamed possible, yet knows there is so much more potential to unleash – in both the business and the countless young lives that are being transformed through this program. In 2019, the company brought on a group of exceptional executives to the board with proven success growing enterprises, particularly in areas relevant to guide Taste of Immokalee’s next evolution of growth such as multi-channel retail distribution, geographic expansions, and product innovation.

“If we could raise up to half a million dollars, that would take a lot of pressure off by allowing us to purchase inventory and do some real marketing.

More money also is needed to involve more students and to pay them for all the hours they work.

Some of the students in the program work second jobs because they need money to help support their families and to go to college” said Marie Capita, the TOI Executive Director.

“Anytime we can help high school students get real world job training to better prepare them for today’s workforce is always a win/win for both the students and future employers. The Taste of Immokalee program has successfully trained local students on all aspects of managing their own realtime business and created quality consumer products in the meantime.”

Interested investors should call (239) 262-6300 or visit www.tamiamiangels.com.

Collier continues quick recovery from COVID pandemic All signs are pointing toward a record year for the travel industry in Collier County in 2021.

Each month we are surpassing the month before. And, as we move into the normally slower summer months, that momentum is continuing.

The bright spots are in occupancy, visitor spending and tourist tax revenue. We are averaging over 88% occupancy on weekends, ADR averaging $301 and TDT is up 15% through May vs the same period in 2020.

April 2021 was a banner month for tourism in Collier County. Not only did the destination close the gap on 2019 visitation, occupancy and hotel rates, but in many cases, even exceeded them.

Over 28,000 people returned to work while the destination welcomed over 1.1 million travelers to Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) and enjoyed a 20% increase in the Total Economic Impact to the community.

Visitation remained steady throughout April, providing strong optimism across the region

for a continuation into the summer.

The market from January through April had 743,500 visitors, compared to 583,700 in the same time frame in 2020.

In April, there were 159,900 visitors alone, compared to 11,500 last April.

The County hosted two major events in May at the Paradise Coast Sports Complex, the Naples Spring Soccer

BY JACK Shootout brought 700 athletes WERT and 1300 spectators, and the Guest Columnist Memorial Day Soccer Shootout was a two-day event with 450 athletes and 800 spectators.

The upcoming months are booked with local, regional events almost every day, and the future looks very bright for the new Sports and Entertainment Complex.

®

Don’t forget to post your virtual and in-person B2B events to swfloridabusinesstoday.com/ calendar SWFL’s most comprehensive B2B events calendar

For the latest news on COVID-19 and its effects on SWFL businesses, visit www.swfloridabusinesstoday.com/ covid-19-tips-for-business/ Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB reports strong visitation numbers for the month of April, signifying that the destination has turned the corner on the pandemic.

As visitor numbers have steadily increased over the last few months, they have now surpassed 2019 for the same period, marking a significant milestone for the destination. Reports show a dramatic influx of in-state visitors, as well as from the Southeast and Midwest during the period, and an increase in room nights from 2019 (+24%).

Jack Wert is executive director of the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB. Contact him at (239) 2522402 or Jack.Wert@colliercountyfl.gov.

AUGUST 2021

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

AAF-SWFL MEMBER Tech, analytics expand marketing opportunities As a marketing agency, one of our goals is to make data-driven decisions based on industry metrics and our client’s individual situations. In order to do this, we use platforms and tools to give us the most accurate and useful information that can be utilized throughout the campaigns we launch.

Tools such as Google and Facebook give us the ability to directly track digital ads and find out who is engaging with them, how much each action, such as a call or link click on the ad is costing, and more. The opportunities with digital ads are endless.

Next time you are thinking about a new marketing strategy, here are a few features to help you consider Facebook and Google ads.

1. Real-time analytics Facebook and Google ads give you access to real-time analytics and a dashboard where you can see how many people are engaging with your ads, how much it is costing you per action, where the people who are engaging are coming from, their age, gender, etc.

2. Targeting functions Facebook and Google ads give you the ability to target based on relevant keywords or interests, geographic location, age and gender, so you can target everyone you want and leave out those who are not in your demographics. You even have the

unique opportunity to upload an email list and create an audience on Facebook to target people who are previous customers of your business. After you upload that list, you then have the opportunity to target people who match those similar interests and habits on Facebook as those past customers.

3. Budget flexibility Facebook and Google ads are very flexible when it comes

BY ROBERT to budgeting and ads can be run WETZEL with as little or as much money Guest Columnist as you’d like. Industry research and competition help to determine what would be a healthy amount of ad spend to achieve the desired results.

Robert Wetzel us director of Marketing and Communications for TLC Marketing and Creative Services, a woman-owned full-service marketing, public relations, and event planning agency dedicated to helping businesses achieve their goals.

Visit tlcmarketing-events.com and social media pages @tlcmarketingswfl. Contact Wetzel at Robert@trishleonard.com or (239) 405-8115.

Bonita Springs YMCA selected as Nonprofit of the Year The Bonita Springs YMCA was awarded nonprofit of the year at the Estero Chamber of Commerce Annual Business and Awards Luncheon on June 18.

“It means so much to our organization to win this prestigious award from the Estero Chamber.

Our partnership with the Village of Estero will continue to evolve as we offer more of our Y services to the Estero community,” said Angel Cerritos, Bonita Springs YMCA executive director.

Last summer, the Bonita Springs YMCA partnered with the Village of Estero to offer more services

For more business news, visit www.swfloridabusinesstoday.com in the Estero community with YMCA Camp Estero.

In 2020, the not-for-profit gave over $50,000 in scholarships, provided 496 youth sport experiences, and opened the Suwyn Early Learning Center. The YMCA prides itself on being an inclusive organization that incorporates activities for all ages.

The Bonita Springs YMCA offers youth programs and a variety of adult fitness classes and activities for the local communities regardless of inability to pay.

Page 7

AAF-SWFL MEMBER

AdFed advocate salutes area chapter’s resurgence

Trace the history of the American Advertising Federation in Southwest Florida (AdFed-SWFL) back to its early days, and you‘ll find it crosses paths with that of longtime area branding agency Spiro & Associates. Many of the club’s earliest officers were from Spiro & Associates’ earlier company incarnations. Rob Pace served as the AdFed Fourth District Governor; William E. Waites and Christopher Spiro both served as local club president. Spiro was awarded national President and Club of the Year honors for the first time in the local chapter’s history.

“The AdFed, especially the Fourth District, will always be near and dear to my heart,” said Spiro.

“It was instrumental in the initial growth of our agency, as well as my personal growth. It taught me the value of the creative product, as well as the value of what our industry has to offer on a local, regional and national basis, and has always been a true guardian and champion of it.”

Part of what the AdFed does is promote the best work done in local markets through its annual Addy Awards, basically the ‘Oscars’ of the ad industry. Local club members enter their best work each year, the best of which advances to the Fourth District (Florida and the Caribbean) competition and ultimately national judging. This competition continually elevates the level of work done in any given market, Spiro said.

Chapter Vice President (and Senior Spiro team member) Don Gross praised the club’s efforts.

“With business getting back on track, we’re seeing increased interest in the AdFed and its role in protecting our industry’s interests,” Gross said. “It’s an important industry and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

Spiro & Associates Marketing, Advertising & Public Relations is a Fort Myers agency providing full services across the entire spectrum of marketing. Contact Don Gross at (239) 481-5511 or dgross@spiroandassociates.com.

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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

AUGUST 2021

BUSINESS SERVICES

Don’t overlook Employee Retention Credit tax benefit Was your business impacted by the pandemic? While some businesses thrived during the pandemic, there were many who were required by law to fully or partially shut down for a period of time. These (mostly small businesses in Southwest Florida) have a very good chance of qualifying for the Employee Retention Credit.

Restaurants, hotels, dentists, doctors, retailers, service industries and even “essential” businesses who did not shut down but may have closed showrooms or experienced supply chain disruptions and delays of operation that affected cashflow.

“The Internal Revenue Service urges employers to take advantage of the newly-extended employee retention credit, designed to make it easier for business that, despite challenges posed by COVID-19, choose to keep their employees on the payroll.” (IRS.gov). In order to provide economic relief to businesses and individuals during the Coronavirus pandemic, the CARES Act was signed into law in March 2020. This $370 billion stimulus package makes funding available to small companies, which can be used to allow certain employers who retain employees during the crisis, to claim a tax credit. This tax credit is known as the Employee Retention Credit.

Who is an eligible employer? Any privatesector business or tax-exempt organizations that carries on a trade or business that meets either of the following: 1. A business that experienced a significant decline in gross receipts during any quarter (2020-21) or 2. A business that was fully or partially suspended due to orders from the government limiting commerce, travel or group meetings due to COVID-19. This also includes reduced operating hours. Even if you were an “essential” business, you can qualify, if the pandemic had an impact on your supply chain or

customers, which caused significant delays or difficulties receiving and providing normal product orders and supplies.

Currently, companies can qualify for up to $19,000 per employee. Employers may claim the ERC for qualified wages paid starting March 12, 2020.

The CARES Act controls the ERC for 2020. The ERC

BY RICK allows eligible employers to PERRY claim a credit against 50% Guest Columnist of wages paid per quarter, up to $10,000 per employee annually, for wages paid between March 13 and Dec. 31, 2020. The maximum credit is $5,000 per employee. In December of 2020, under the Covid-19 Relief Package, the ERC was extended from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2021. This extension allows eligible employers to claim a credit against 70% of wages paid per quarter, up to $10,000 per employee, with a maximum allowable credit of $7,000 per employee per quarter ($28,000 per employee for 2021.)

Employers who received PPP loans may still qualify for the ERC with respect to wages that are not paid for with forgiven PPP proceeds retroactive to the CARES Act. It also allows new employers who were not in existence for all or part of 2019 to be able to claim the credit. This new provision is retroactive to the effective date included in Section 2301 of the CARES Act. The Big Change for 2021: Expanded eligibility with lower threshold for “a significant decline in gross receipts”; extension of the ERC to Dec. 31, 2021; It is now worth up to $7,000 per

We think DIFFERENTLY

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quarter in credit, per employee; and employers up to 500 employees can qualify.

Employers don’t have to wait until 2021 is finished to receive their tax credit. Employers can apply now and receive what they qualify for in 2020, and the first two quarters of 2021.

This process generally takes the company’s bookkeeper/controller about 2-3 hours to collect the financial data required. But the pay-off could be significant. For example, 15 employees times up to $19,000 equals $285,000 for 2020 and Q1 and Q2 of 2021. The ERC requires wages paid related to PPP, and some other tax credits will need to be backed out, but this can still be quite lucrative for employers.

However, if you did not take the PPP, and/or were shut down, the ERC could be quite helpful to get you financially back on track. You receive a free estimate of what you can recover, and then fees are contingency based. Your tax incentive specialist can supply you with the documentation needed to apply and receive your ERC tax credit by filing form 941, Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return, and for an advance cash payment of Employer Credits Due, Form 7200.

Don’t delay, call today!

Rick Perry is Managing Member of Your Strategy Partners, a business and tax incentive consulting firm in Bonita Springs. For more information about the ERC and other tax credits for business owners and commercial building owners, contact him at rick@yourstrategypartners.com.

BUSINESS SERVICES Key factors to digital transformation

Digitalization is an excellent way to tap the growing need for tech-based services and product delivery. If you’re currently trying to come up with a sustainable digital transformation strategy, focusing on these factors might give you a good start.

1. Intent & Insights – Collect data about your customers’ online behavior, especially their shopping preferences and engagement time. Your studies will help you come up with apt online marketing strategies.

2. Technology – Use the right platforms for communication and content.

Make sure the algorithm and software updates do not disrupt customer experience.

3. Objectives – Set the goals and pur-

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pose of your digital transformation. Is it to increase profit, streamline processes or improve customer service? Then, set measurable KPIs. 4. People – Make sure everyone in your team is on the same page. This makes the execution a lot more efficient.

5. Processes and Structure - Evaluate, revamp or update your company’s policies, processes and guidelines to support the changes you’d like to make.

6. Execution – Carry out your strategy following a timeline. Measure how well the KPIs are met. Evaluate efficiency. Then, adjust as necessary.

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Contact (239) 214-8592.

Goodwill MicroEnterprise Small Business class starts Aug. 16 Individuals who are thinking about starting their own business but need some mentoring are invited to apply to the Goodwill Southwest Florida MicroEnterprise Institute, scheduled for Aug. 16– Sept. 23.

The MicroEnterprise Institute is a six-week training program to help emerging entrepreneurs start new ventures and grow small businesses. Graduates complete a comprehensive training course and prepare a solid plan to guide their start-up. They work with mentors who are successful businesspeople and hear from subject matter experts in areas of accounting, legal,

marketing, insurance and funding.

An easy to use workbook, used by organizations across America, assist in transforming vision into a plan for a successful business.

Classes are scheduled from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday and Thursday evenings on Nicholas Parkway in Cape Coral.

To apply, call (239) 995-2106 ext. 2215 or visit www.goodwillswfl.org/microenterprise. The session is $80; Volunteer hours can be substituted for the fee if income requirements are met. For more information email Dorothy Browning at dorothybrowning@ goodwillSWFL.org

AUGUST 2021

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

Doc Ford’s prescription for success in crowded SWFL restaurant scene

By Greg Steiner Guest Correspondent Effectively managing people demands an unwavering obligation to take care of your work force like they are family. You must hire well, train, coach, reward and motivate.

And you must be there, all the time, visibly “walking the talk” to back it all up. Easy, right? Nope. It takes a huge commitment of time, patience, and most of all, rock solid consistency. It is not for the faint of heart.

But it pays.

One of the best examples I have seen is the Doc Ford’s family of restaurants of Southwest Florida. Their employees are dedicated to delivering a great experience for their customers. And they go above and beyond to make sure they achieve it.

It’s their culture. This did not happen by accident. It is the result of the owners’ steadfast commitment in an industry where it is very, very difficult to sustain lasting popularity and relevancy. But they have done it successfully for years.

To illustrate this, I arrived by boat at the Doc Ford’s in Fort Myers Beach on a busy Sunday in season.

All of the dock space appeared to be taken. However, a dock hand jogged down the ramp, waved and called to me, “Are you here for lunch?” I nodded. “Just a minute, please,” he replied. He hustled down the dock and moved at least four boats to create a space just big enough for me to fit in. Then he helped me dock the boat. He smiled and said, “Welcome to Doc Ford’s.” Many places would have just said, “Sorry, we’re full.”

That’s extra effort.

Marty and Brenda Harrity are two of the restaurant’s owners. They believe that it’s all about the people.

Marty readily admits that he’s not a culinary expert, “but we hire the best chef, ask for a fresh, appealing menu that is aligned with our theme, and then we allow the chef culinary freedom to develop interesting specials.” It works.

Brenda’s role is “director of hospitality.” Think about the message that title alone sends. Both Marty and Brenda talk about how selective they are in hiring, and then training their staff. All of the servers get comprehensive instruction and must pass written tests before they can go on the floor. When a server finally

“We hire the best chef, ask for a fresh, appealing menu that is aligned with our theme, and then we allow the chef culinary freedom to develop interesting specials.”

— Marty Harrity, Co-owner of Doc Ford’s starts, it’s just a few tables, with experienced staff assigned nearby, ready and willing to help if needed.

I had the pleasure of spending an hour with the management team recently at their staff meeting. It is an impressive group. To a person, they are passionately devoted to both their guests and their employees.

You can feel their enthusiasm and energy. I heard phrases like “coaching,” “elevating people” and “high energy.” And they live it. They have a “Doc Ford’s way”, and it works, so they stick with it. And they expect their people to stick with it, too. That doesn’t mean they aren’t open to change - quite the contrary. Suggestions are welcomed. They are enthusiastically debated, carefully vetted and, if accepted, implemented with uniformity. Continuous improvement. That’s how you stay relevant.

Next time you visit a Doc Ford’s, look around. In addition to a festive dining atmosphere, great food and attentive service, you’re likely to see owners Marty and Brenda Harrity, and Mark Marinello, cheerfully mingling with staff and guests. More importantly, you will notice that the employees welcome the owners’ presence - there is no “show” because the bosses are there. This is a direct result of the trust and respect that the owners have developed with their team.

Take care of your people and good things will happen. Ask the Doc Ford’s family. Oh, and when you’re there, be sure to try the Yucatan shrimp.

Page 9

BUSINESS SERVICES

Elite Jets hires new pilots, charter consultant

Elite Jets has added four new pilots and a charter consultant to accommodate continued growth in the private travel industry. The Naplesbased charter company employs approximately 40 aviation professionals. New pilots include Kevin Johnson, Allen Mounts, Tom Taylor and Michael Grebb and Josh Simpson as executive charter consultant.

“Elite Jets has grown steadily since the company was founded in 2016, and the pandemic accelerated growth as additional business and leisure travelers consider private charters instead of flying commercially,” said Stephen Myers, Elite Jets executive vice president. “Adding these experienced pilots ensures our team can continue accommodating requests for service to destinations around the country and abroad.”

Elite Jets operates from its private terminal at the Naples Airport.

Johnson captains the Legacy 500, a 10-passenger luxury jet with a range of 3,100 miles. Johnson trained at Spartan College of Aeronautics and American Air, later working for a pair of commuter airlines, TWA Express and U.S. Air Express. He also piloted contract flights with the U.S. Department of Defense and trained military pilots before Desert Storm.

Mounts captains the Phenom 300, a nine-passenger private jet with a 2,000-mile range. He previously served as a personal pilot for a Naples family for its Phenom 300. In addition to flying, Mounts also has worked as a

flight instructor, and he earned a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Taylor captains the Phenom 300 and has been a pilot since 1988, flying professionally since 2000 for multiple sectors of aviation, including charters, commercial airlines, corporate-owned jets and freight. He is commissioned as a chaplain in the U.S. Navy Reserve. Taylor earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business management from Hope College, a master’s degree in theology from the University of Toronto and an MBA in accounting and finance from Baker College.

Grebb captains the Phenom 300 and Hawker 850XP, a mid-size aircraft that Elite Jets manages. He has served as a corporate and charter pilot, as well as a flight instructor,and has flown internationally to countries across the world. Grebb earned a bachelor’s degree in aviation technology and operations from Western Michigan University.

As executive charter consultant, Simpson works with Elite Jets’ operations team and assists passengers with trip planning, scheduling and logistics. Previous positions include operations manager for a law firm, line technician at Naples Airport, manager of a municipal airport and multiple roles within the field of higher education. Simpson has a bachelor’s degree in creative writing and German language from Valparaiso University.

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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

AUGUST 2021

the unifying Celebrating If You’re In Business You Belong Here

T

he American Advertising Federation (AAF) protects and promotes the well-being of advertising. We accomplish this through a unique, nationally coordinated grassroots network of advertisers, agencies, media companies, local advertising clubs, and college chapters.

The “Unifying Voice for Advertising,” AAF National, headquartered in Washington, DC, connects and leads the industry through more than 200 local clubs across the U.S., representing more than 40,000 advertising professionals.

AAF Southwest Florida (AAF-SWFL) covers Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades counties. With over 160 members, we are the largest chapter in District 4, which covers local chapters throughout Florida and the Caribbean.

A Message from the President

Become a Part of AAF We are the unifying voice for the advertising industry and the home of the American Advertising Awards. Join us for networking, as a citizen lobbyist, public service initiatives, and so much more.

Email us at JoinUs@aafswfl.com to get involved today!

aafswfl.com

Wow, thank you for another fantastic year! I never thought that in just two years that we would not only restart AAF Southwest Florida but create a nationally recognized powerhouse of membership development, programs, public service, and club operations. What made this journey wonderful were the friendships and professional relationships developed with our members and partners. You have embraced this organization and our leadership team in ways that we never thought possible.

August 9th will be my final day as your president. I am looking forward to watching a new group of leaders making their mark on this organization. 2021/22 is our 40th anniversary and we have a tremendous year planned. Thank you for all of your support whether it was time or treasure and please continue to support AAF Southwest Florida and grow this amazing chapter to new heights.

Thank you for your trust,

Tim Hennessy

President, AAF Southwest Florida 2019-2021

AUGUST 2021

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

Page 11

voice for advertising 40 years in Southwest Florida

2021 - 2022

events

visit aafswfl.com for full dates and details

2019 american advertising awards gala

MADMen &WOMen

august 2021

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2OTH

6PM COCKTAIL RECEPTION • 7PM DINNER FOLLOWED BY AWARDS SHOW CALOOSA SOUND CONVENTION CENTER 1375 Monroe St, Fort Myers, FL 33901

Hosted by Sheena Reagan & musical guest The Rosada Project

Make it simple, but make it significant.

f e b r u a r y

friday@4 networking event

2 9 ,

2 0 2 0

holiday inn • fort myers airport at town center

9931 interstate commerce dr. • fort myers, fl 33913 With special guest of honor,

september 2021

2020

friday@4 networking event

2021

media auction - live event

october 2021

Save the Date

november 2021

American Advertising Awards Gala

ad day in tallahassee friday@4 networking event

February 19, 2022

december 2021

american advertising awards portal opens

An Exciting Year for AAF-SWFL

january 2022

friday@4/aaa drop-off, fort myers aaa entries due silver medal nominations due aaa gallery night

february 2022

american advertising awards gala silver medal announced

march 2022

3rd thursday program - diversity & inclusion

april 2022

3rd thursday program - public service friday@4 networking event

may 2022

aaf national ad day on the hill 3rd thursday program - government affairs

june 2022

aaf admerica general membership meeting

Thank you for selecting me as the next president of AAF-Southwest Florida. I am honored to serve our members.

As we begin this momentous year, the 40th anniversary year of AAF-SWFL, the Board and I are planning a wide range of events and programs to showcase to our members and our community what AAF-SWFL is all about. A few of the events in the works are an expanded Friday@4 event series, and a live, in-person media auction event with proceeds benefitting our scholarship program. Additionally, we have exciting plans for the upcoming American Advertising Awards that will culminate in what I believe will be our best gala event yet. I look forward to seeing you there.

Finally, I want to take a minute to thank the AAF-SWFL board, volunteers, and members for everything you do. Your dedication and drive are truly the strength of this organization.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Jenny Boyd

Incoming President, AAF-SWFL Florida 2021 - 2022

Page 12

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

AUGUST 2021

SWFL CRE, CONSTRUCTION & DEVELOPMENT A look at commercial real estate & construction updates in Southwest Florida

Multi-million dollar projects in the works in Cape

The COVID-19 pandemic didn’t slow growth here down. Cape Coral and the rest of the Southwest Florida area are seeing a surge of investment interest from developers and business executives.

“At least two to three developers are calling the City of Cape Coral’s Office of Economic and Business Development each week with interest in developing mixed-use, multi-family, office, and light industrial parks in the Cape,” said Economic and Business Development Manager Ricardo Noguera. “Developers from the Northeast, Midwest, and Miami area are drawn to the area.”

Cape Coral is growing rapidly and the city is drawing more developments to the Pine Island Road Corridor and the South Cape. There are currently more than $500 million in private development that is under construction or in permitting.

Cape Coral City Manager Rob Hernandez recently presented new economic development incentives to City Council, which may be implemented later this year. Incentives motivate individuals and businesses to develop economic opportunities that are consistent with a community’s character and values and stimulate investment, job creation and higher-wage jobs. These incentives would help to ensure that the city and its businesses remain competitive while diversifying the tax base. The non-residential development in the city constitutes about 6% of total just values. These incentives could stimulate even more private investment in Cape Coral.

“At least two to three developers are calling the City of Cape Coral’s Office of Economic and Business Development each week with interest in developing mixed-use, multi-family, office, and light industrial parks in the Cape.”

— Ricardo Noguera, Cape Coral Economic and Business Development Manager Below is a snapshot of what’s under construction and what’s in the works in Cape Coral.

Projects under construction: • Farmer Joe’s Market on Pine Island Road. A 50,000-square-foot retail store is under construction just east of Chiquita Boulevard.

• Crunch Fitness. A 22,000-square-foot fitness center is under construction on Pine Island Road, just west of Nicholas Parkway.

• Emergency Medical Clinic. A 13,000-square-foot emergency medical clinic should break ground on the south side of Pine Island Road, just west of Santa Barbara Boulevard soon.

• An 80-room rehabilitation hospital is under construction at the southwest corner of Pine Island Road and Pondella Road.

• A 10,000-square-foot warehouse flex building is

under construction behind the future Farmer Joe’s Market.

• A 30,000-square-foot warehouse/office flex building is under construction just south of Pondella Road.

Projects in the works: • Island Pearl is a mixed-use development that will be located at the corner of Pine Island and Burnt Store Roads. There will be about 50,000 square feet of retail, restaurants, and office space.

• Victory Park is a 140-acre mixed-use development that will be located along NE 24th Avenue, immediately west of the Veterans Clinic. This development is projected to break ground with a new 125-room hotel later this fall.

• Project Hoosier is a mixed-use development planned for the former Village Square property along Cape Coral Parkway and is projected to break ground in early 2022.

• Project Dolphin is a mixed-use development planned at Bimini Basin in the South Cape that is projected to break ground in Spring 2022 There’s so much more in the works that can’t be shared just yet. As developers continue to flock to the Cape, the city evaluates each proposal individually. The developments that deliver employment and help to diversify the tax base are considered for incentives.

For more information on development opportunities in the Cape, please contact the City of Cape Coral Economic and Business Development Team, Ricardo Noguera or Nita Whaley.

Seagate breaks ground on final phase of EmCyte HQ Seagate Development Group has broken ground on the final phase of EmCyte Corporation’s headquarters.

Located on Veronica S. Shoemaker Boulevard in Fort Myers, the $2.2-million project will add 13,000 square feet of warehouse space to a new building and a 2,000-square-foot office facility to EmCyte’s preexisting 30,000-square-foot headquarters. Crews will also renovate a 5,000-square-foot manufacturing space for the leading autologous regenerative biologics company.

Seagate has poured the slab and is currently conducting site work.

The next three months will be dedicated to foundational components, walls and roofing, exterior windows, irrigation, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, drywall, interiors and more.

The final phase of EmCyte – slated for completion in the fourth quarter of 2021 – will include additional parking and travel lanes for deliveries as well as an enclosed corridor for a covered pathway that connects the new and current facilities.

This third EmCyte project comes less than a year after Seagate completed the second phase – the sequel to a smaller Seagate remodel that continues to evolve with the firm’s productivity and ever-increasing growth. Just months ago, the world-renowned Edison Awards recognized founder, president and CEO Patrick Pennie as a

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Electrical contractor expands to Naples office

A $2.2-million expansion of EmCyte Corporation’s headquarters on Veronica S. Shoemaker Boulevard will add warehouse space and an office facility.

Modern-Day Black Innovator for his industry advancements.

“We are proud of our ongoing partnership with Patrick and his impressive company. It demonstrates how a project of this magnitude can align with a company’s global impact as well as how a relationship with a tenant can became a landscape-changing expansion and renovation for Southwest Florida,” said Matt Price, CEO and partner at Seagate Development Group.

Empowered Global, an electrical contracting company, has moved from a home office to a new, larger office space on Collier Center Way in Naples, signaling a year of immense growth. Empowered Global was founded in 2013 and services clients in Estero, Bonita Springs and Naples.

In 2017, the company began offering generator installation and maintenance services through Kohler Generators. This new service offering helped to propel the business, which continued to expand as the COVID-19 pandemic struck.

The company also achieved a prestigious milestone in early 2021, becoming the first Titanium Kohler Dealer in Bonita Springs.

Only the top 3% of Kohler Generator Dealers reach this milestone.

This, coupled with growth and ELECTRIC See page 14

We Care About SWFL Commercial Realtors With dedicated space for informa�on: • On our website with a Commercial Real Estate sec�on & directory • In our quarterly Commercial RE Market pullout in both the print & digital versions of SWFBT • With zoned and full-run inserts • With guest column opportuni�es • With digital marke�ng op�ons For more informa�on, call Karen at (239) 770-7527 ®

www.swfloridabusinesstoday.com

AUGUST 2021

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

Page 13

SWFL CRE, CONSTRUCTION & DEVELOPMENT A look at commercial real estate & construction updates in Southwest Florida

CRE: CONSTRUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

ADG Architecture serves commercial projects

CRE: CONSTRUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

Established in 1990, ADG Architecture is a ADG’s team of experienced professionals Crown Roofing protects client proven firm of architects and interior designers will provide the resources necessary to complete investments from harsh climate specializing in a wide range of commercial and the project on time and within budget. We assist At Crown Roofing & Waterproofing, we work public sector projects. in building continuity, quality and cost control, with developers, general contractors, associaProfessional staff at ADG have the talent, abil- helping to achieve a successful project conclutions and property managers along with business ity and experience to assist in your project needs sion. owners and real estate investors to protect their from pre-planning through construction activiWhether you are a local developer, building investments with our comprehensive commercial ties. Services go far beyond the typical construc- committee or a Fortune 500 corporation, we can roofing and waterproofing solutions. tion documents and project specifications that are provide the service that your next project reOur solutions include maintenance, repair, required for a building permit. quires.

A look at commercial real estate & construction updates in Southwest Florida new construction, roof replacement and roof We can help determine a suitable location, The work of ADG is not constrained by a percoating systems as well as complete building discuss zoning and layout considerations and sonal style or a signature that would limit its arenvelope waterproofing for any commercial approvide future expansion options. ADG is experi- chitecture; instead, our goal is to enhance and celplication. We offer all Florida roofing systems enced with community outreach, value engineer- ebrate the unique characteristics of each project. including single-ply, Modified Bitumen, metal, ing, commercial space planning and typical space ADG Architecture is Southwest Florida’s lotile, shingles, and solar roofing. commitment requirements. We work as an active cal full-service architectural firm with offices in Our commercial waterproofing services inpartner to ensure designs fit the commercial proj- Fort Myers and Port Charlotte. The company ofclude sheet applied waterproofing membrane, ect goals, budget, taste and code requirements. fers architectural and interior design services to hot applied waterproofing membrane, deck coatWe will assist with schematics, traffic flow and the Commercial, Government, Educational, and ing systems, below grade waterproofing systems, anticipated use to provide functional, highly ef- Religious Marketplace. Contact (239) 277-0554 air and vapor barrier systems, caulking and sealficient commercial design. or visit www.ADGArchitecture.com. ants, water repellents, and cementitious waterproofing. Our diverse and long-standing industry knowledge translates into precise roofing and waterproofing solutions.

Access Title Agency celebrated the grand The ribbon-cutting was attended by many When you work with Crown Roofing & Waopening of its Bonita Springs office with a ribbon- members of the Access Title Agency team, includterproofing, you can expect a relationship built cutting coordinated by SWFL Inc. The office is ing President Karen L. Kohler and the manager of on trust, communication, accountability and relilocated on Elementary Way and will serve clients the Bonita Springs office, Randi Benge, who has ability. Our focus is always on your needs. We ofacross Lee County. more than 22 years of title and escrow experience. fer free on-site assessments and provide excellent Access Title Agency is a full-service title “It’s not often a new office can open with service and value. Our commercial technicians agency that provides clients with title, escrow and people with so many years of experience in the work within your budget and timeline. closing services. The Bonita Springs office is its industry,” Kohler said. “We are leveraging their For more information, contact (855) second location in Florida, and its fourth in the experience and customer service expertise to our CROWN-55 or visit www.crownroofing.com. nation. company’s competitive advantage.”

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Access Title Agency opens Bonita Springs office

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Page 14

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

AUGUST 2021

SWFL CRE, CONSTRUCTION & DEVELOPMENT A look at commercial real estate & construction updates in Southwest Florida

Do grocery stores have an expiration date?

Like most Americans, your grocery shopping habits probably changed significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Social distancing and capacity restrictions, limited hours and even limited stock forced us to shift the way we shopped—and forced retailers to find new ways to provide our essential goods and services.

Half of U.S. consumers now say they purchase at least some of their groceries online, either through delivery services such as Shipt and Instacart, from online retailers like Amazon, or via Buy Online, Pickup In Store (BOPIS) services. But with vaccinations now widespread and our nation slowly returning to normalcy, will consumers rush back to supermarkets or will traditional grocers expire as we continue to shop from the comfort of their home?

An argument can be made on either side. On one hand, grocery delivery and pickup services earn excellent reviews from busy consumers and were surging in popularity well before the pandemic rendered them a necessity for many. Alternatively, 72% of consumers still consider an in-store shopping experience extremely important to them. Consider the number of times you’ve gone to a particular store because of an experience important to you, like product samples on weekends, a specialty bakery item, a diverse or unique produce selection, or even assistance loading your vehicle. Each of these services nurtures our loyalty to the in-store experience.

With consumers wanting both convenience and an in-store experience, smart retailers are looking for ways to balance everything their customers want.

WD Partners, a customer experience strategy firm, has released its vision for the grocery store of the future, and its hybrid model combines convenience

and engagement to create limitless options for shoppers.

Those seeking convenience will benefit from BOPIS fulfillment, order kiosks and drive-thru pickup options, as well as an emphasis on prepared foods and pre-packaged meals in a graband-go section. The grocery of the future also satisfies experience-focused customers with a farmers’ market-style produce

BY GARY section, demonstrations in an TASMAN experiential showroom and comGuest Columnist fort zones like an in-store coffee shop or outdoor seating area.

Many grocers currently offer some, but not all, of these features, and have earned devoted customers as a result. An excellent example is Whole Foods, which has developed a near cult-like following with its focus on local produce, chef-prepared family meals, healthy and organic foods and free delivery for Amazon Prime members.

Specialty grocers aren’t just popular with residents—they’re also a favorite of tourists who rent family homes through services like Airbnb or VRBO. The full kitchens found in weekly and monthly vacation rentals are popular with families in search of a relaxed, homey experience in a tropical locale. Prepared, packaged and grab-and-go meals are perfect for these vacationers who wish to maximize both their time and budgets while still enjoying Southwest Florida’s lifestyle.

But while grocers such as Whole Foods, Fresh Market and Sprouts Farmers Market are popular

with both residents and visitors, they are anything but plentiful in our region. Lee and Collier Counties possess only a sprinkling of each of these stores, mostly along U.S. 41. I anticipate this trend will change in coming years, as our region’s population and popularity among vacationers continues to grow.

One area ripe for a specialty grocer is Cape Coral, Florida’s largest city between Tampa and Miami.

Despite being one of the state’s fastest-growing municipalities, large specialty grocers have yet to invest in Cape Coral. For more than a decade, Publix and Walmart have dominated the city’s grocery market. However, recent additions such as Aldi and Winn-Dixie have shown that there is still room for competition. The Cape’s booming population, as well as its 3,200 vacation rentals, make it a prime location for a new grocery concept to blossom.

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the way we experience retail, and grocery stores are no exception. Grocers will continue to adapt to our changing preferences, creating hybrid centers that combine both convenience and customer experiences. Traditional grocery stores will need to invest in reinventing themselves if they want to stay fresh in this evolving marketplace.

Gary Tasman is the CEO and principal broker for Cushman & Wakefield Commercial Property Southwest Florida. Contact (239) 489-3600 or gtasman@cpswfl.com.

CRE: CONSTRUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

Introducing ALDEA

RWA Inc.: A growing firm committed to its clients, consulting partners and employees

Groundbreaking: Fall 2022 Occupancy: Spring 2024 MIDTOWN FORT MYERS’ INTIMATE URBAN LIFESTYLE EXPERIENCE Studio, One and Two Bedroom Apartments Located between Central Avenue, Market Street and Fowler Street, ALDEA is one of the first planned communities for Midtown and is expected to transform the landscape of the surrounding area.

300+ units housed within two residential buildings looking inward to multi-functional courtyard spaces.

A fitness center enables an active lifestyle and a parking garage provides a desired convenience.

A mix of studios, one and two bedrooms, several of which offer additional dens.

Randy Krise, CCIM

Commercial Real Estate Broker Cell: 239.633.8672 Email: Randy@KriseCG.com www.KriseCG.com

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

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Founded in Naples in 1997, RWA has become one of the most respected professional consulting firms in Southwest Florida. What began as a company of three in an 800-square-foot room with three desks has grown into a 40-plus-person consulting firm that provides complete and comprehensive services in planning, civil engineering and surveying and mapping to both public and private sector clients throughout the Southwest Florida region.

Over the years, RWA has continued to expand and grow its presence in new markets, opening a Fort Myers office location in 1999, and an additional office location in Wellen Park in 2018. Maintaining a steady course of healthy growth, RWA moved into its current Naples location in May 2005 to serve as its corporate headquarters and to accommodate its growing workload and staff.

RWA is a cohesive group of highly skilled and qualified professionals who possess a broad range of expertise and the desire to make a positive difference in their professions and the community.

They take pride in the long-standing relationships that have been established over the years with their clients, local municipalities, agencies, employees and consulting partners. RWA has worked with some of the most reputable national

developers to successfully complete area projects and are often a sought-after teaming partner by large national firms seeking the company’s local knowledge and expertise.

RWA’s strong and diverse portfolio of projects spans the

BY JOHN Southwest Florida WILLIAMS region and includes Guest Columnist notable projects ranging from numerous master-planned and residential communities, affordable housing, commercial and institutional projects, to a significant number of public sector projects including roadways, planning studies, water resource management projects and utility and facility design.

RWA is committed to working diligently to continue to deliver superior service to their clients and is looking forward to celebrating 25 years of service in February 2022.

ELECTRIC PAGE 12

new location. We will now be able to fully store all of our electrical equipment including our Kohler generators,” said Susi Husty, vice president at Empowered Global. “Our new location will certainly facilitate our operations and will allow us to provide an even better experience to our clients.”

demand for generator services, owners Daniel and Susi Husty decided to move the company to a bigger commercial space.

“We are very blessed to be in our

Contact John Williams, Vice President at RWA, at (239) 825-9509 or jsw@consult-rwa.com.

AUGUST 2021

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

Page 15

SWFL CRE, CONSTRUCTION & DEVELOPMENT A look at commercial real estate & construction updates in Southwest Florida

Multi-family units keep selling in Lee County Second quarter of 2021 continues to show strong performances amongst Southwest Florida apartment communities. Sales volume increased significantly with several noteworthy transactions amounting to 3,192 units sold in the past 90 days. Lee County saw the largest deal volume with 1,784 sales amongst a combined 18 properties. Noteworthy transactions include Bonita Springs sales of Versol, Mosaic at Oak Creek and Crest at Bonita Springs.

During the same period new development projects continued to be delivered.

New deliveries include Murano at Three Oaks, City Walk, The Crest at Naples and The Oasis at Cypress Woods. Apartment projects continue to be announced adding to the robust pipeline throughout the region. Lee County alone currently has 3,882 units under construction with 7,426 units proposed.

All markets saw a positive absorption with a combined total of 8,366 units. Lee County saw the largest absorption with 2,681 units, many from new deliveries being brought to the market. Vacancy rates continue to decrease despite new supply showing a continued demand for apart-

ment housing. Collier County saw a decrease to 6.8% down 4.2% from the prior quarter. Average rental rates in the county continue to climb to $1,786 per unit monthly, up 18.7% from the prior period. Sarasota shows the lowest Woodward, Pires & Lombardo opened an expanded office space housing BY THOMAS vacancy levels with its attorney and paralegalupdates services in Naples.

A look at commercial real estate & construction in Southwest Florida WEBB 5.3%. It also boasts Guest Columnist the highest average rental rates at $1,861 Law firm Woodward, Pires & the firm’s existing 6,000 square feet per unit monthly. Lee County with its highLombardo announced the opening of that encompasses the entire second est development inventory shows the highits expanded office space. The firm floor of the building. est vacancy levels, however still strong at Founded in 1971, the law firm added 2,500 square feet containing 11.7%. Average monthly rent in the county attorney and paralegal offices, a sec- of Woodward, Pires & Lombardo is $1,712 per unit monthly. ond kitchen, an office services area provides legal services to clients in and a premier conference center on Southwest Florida. Areas of practice Thomas Webb, CCIM, is directhe ground floor of their existing include residential and commercial tor of Multifamily for Lee & Associbuilding on Tamiami Trail North in real estate transactions, estate planates Commercial Real Estate. Contact Naples. The building is located at the ning, business transactions, local him at twebb@lee-associates.com or corner of Ridge Street and U.S. 41. government law, family law and civil (239) 230-2198.

The additional space will supplement and commercial litigation.

SWFL CRE, CONSTRUCTION & DEVELOPMENT WPL opens Naples office expansion

CRE: CONSTRUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

RG Architects steadily grows, takes on regional projects

Established in 2012 with three employees, founders Charles Gutekunst, Ryan Richards and Javier Salazar used their personal savings to start the business in the midst of the financial recession. The trio furnished the office with two carloads of Ikea furniture and started building RG Architects PA together. The firm has steadily grown and expanded over the years. In 2019, it was awarded five major projects which accelerated growth. The original team of three has grown to a diverse staff of

11 full-time employees with a variety of skills, industry knowledge, commitment to professional excellence and personal connections to our Southwest Florida community.

Our Philosophy RG Architects was founded on the idea design has a direct impact on people’s lives - people and function continue to be at the center of everything we do. The right design delivers pride and confidence to its community, providing excitement, engagement and a positive

impact for years to come. Community involvement is a key to the firm’s mission, RGA is an active participant in many local foundations in the tri-county area, including mentoring, volunteering, providing pro-bono services and financial support.

What we do RGA provides architectural design, planning and facilities programming services for commercial, K-12 and higher education, hospitality, faithbased and nonprofit projects. The RG

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Page 16

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

AUGUST 2021

AAF-SWFL MEMBER Businesses thrive with strong values, culture

BUSINESS SERVICES Grow your business with help from friends

Establishing a clear set of company values lets employees, customers, clients and the community know exactly what your company stands for.

What do your company’s values say about your business?

At Priority Marketing, those guiding principles include words like responsive, accountable, optimistic, resourceful and integrity, as well as phrases such as take initiative, be passionate, show character and solution-driven. In all, there are 37 words and phrases. They aren’t just buzzwords pulled from an HR handbook, though. They are the values that guide our company, and the guiding principles that have established a foundation of success for Priority Marketing and its client partners. These words are used daily – in the way we talk to each other, our clients, vendors and community partners.

To thrive in a today’s marketplace, businesses must differentiate themselves from the competition.

What would make a customer or client chose your business over a competitor? It can be better products, superior service, lower prices, larger inventory, convenience or many other factors.

Similarly, what would make a business-to-business (B2B) partner choose you over a competitor?

Values. Businesses and nonprofits want to work with like-minded organizations that share similar values, ideals and goals.

These guiding principles are the collective agreements about how we will behave to internal and external audiences. Values form the basis of a company’s overall workplace culture. That’s why it’s so important to have a deliberate approach to establishing company values and reflecting them every day.

Below are four examples of values that Priority Marketing emphasizes in its day-to-day business interactions: • Proactive: One of the keys to a successful marketing plan is to take a proactive approach by developing a plan that aligns with a client’s business goals. This entails a collaborative team effort with solution-driven professionals to ensure that clients are connecting with their target audiences with concise messaging, the right timing and opti-

mal marketing strategies.

• Caring: When companies care for their employees, their clients, their partners and community, everyone benefits. It starts at the leadership level by establishing a work environment founded on respect, integrity and kindness. When caring is engrained in the culture, it trickles down to everyone who interacts with your organization.

Listening is a great way to show

BY TERI you care for customers, clients HANSEN and co-workers, and really get Guest Columnist to know them on a deeper level.

• Professional: Reflecting a professional image goes beyond how we dress, communicate and behave. It’s also about how we deliver exceptional service, honor commitments and demonstrate accountability in all that we do for everyone we interact with both inside and outside the office.

• Creative: Successful marketing requires the marriage of two very powerful forces: creativity and logic. Priority Marketing has accomplished its award-winning, results-driven marketing campaigns through its Creative Logic approach. Too often considered mutually exclusive, creativity and logic work best together. Team members combine their passion and curiosity to inspire creative solutions for clients on a day-to-day basis.

Values help form a company’s identity. They should be ingrained in every interaction, from internal meetings and watercooler chats to client presentations and customer communications.

Successful, thriving businesses, as well as the employees who work there, should live and breathe the company’s established values. This ultimately gives businesses a competitive advantage and head start in reaching their ultimate goals.



Finding qualified candidates with the right skills.



Recruiting all your employees in one place.



Working together to lower your costs.

At SWFL Inc., we are proud to work with 1,621 business members (and growing!) across Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties and see firsthand the innovative ways they’re growing their organizations. Many of the businesses we work with are B2Bs – the organizations that are helping other businesses grow. If you know an entrepreneur who’s just getting started, here are some great companies for them to connect with and cover their printing, legal and accounting needs.

Presstige Printing is a family-owned business and

BY TIFFANY the 2020 SWFL Small BusiESPOSITO ness of the Year. What makes Guest Columnist it great for a new business’s printing needs? They can handle any print job, big or small. They offer design services, meaning you don’t need your own in-house designer to start creating highquality work. Best of all, they can offer direct mail to your clients in Naples, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Sarasota, Venice and beyond. If you’ve ever sent a mass email only to have emails bounce right back to you, you understand the value of direct mail. presstigeprinting.com When I think of the word “swag” I think of SWFL Marketing Group. They’re our goto resource for branded water bottles, polos and even pull-up banners for events. The small but mighty team there can help you procure and brand just about any item you’d like. swflmarketinggroup.com Dentons Cohen & Grigsby is one of many fantastic law firms in Southwest Florida. Their team is based in Naples and can help your business with everything from business formation to real estate transactions, to mergers and acquisitions. dentons.com/en/global-presence/ united-states/naples-fl.

Have an HR question? Call Kim Hastings, PLLC. She’s a labor and employment attorney who specializes in human resources management and conflict resolution. You can reach her through LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/ kimhastings.

If you’re just starting up a business, you have an opportunity to start your bookkeeping off in a paperless way – Less Taxing Services can help. They’re all about using online services to keep your bookkeeping, payroll and business taxes in order and digitally accessible to you 24/7. lesstaxingservices.com.

For accounting assistance, check in with the experts at Rehmann. They have team members with specialties including business valuation, the affordable care act and strategic planning.

Rehmann has four Florida offices to choose from, including one right in Bonita Springs. rehmann.com.

If you’re looking to build your network in Southwest Florida, give us a call at SWFL Inc.! We offer a free, Basic Membership that’s perfect for businesses just getting started at SWFLinc.com.

Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Telephone numbers may be reached via the Florida Relay Service at 711.

An equal opportunity employer/program. A proud partner of the American job center network.

Tiffany Esposito is the president and CEO of SWFL Inc., the regional chamber of commerce for Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties. SWFL Inc. is ranked in the top 1% of chambers nationwide. Contact her at tiffany@swflinc.com or (239)992-2943.

AWARD PAGE 1

Teri Hansen is president and senior creative director at Priority Marketing and a PRNEWS “Top Women in PR” honoree. Visit PriorityMarketing. com, call (239) 267-2638 or email Teri@PriorityMarketing.com.

For more business news, visit www.swfloridabusinesstoday.com

swflinc.com/incredible-awards-september-9.

The deadline for award applications is Aug. 10.

The awards to be presented are: Small Business of the Year, which is celebrating its 21st year, Nonprofit of the Year, Innovation Award, INCredible Award and SWFL Citizen of the Year, which will be presented by the Naples Daily News and the

News-Press Media Group. Organizations nominated for the Small Business of the Year, Nonprofit of the Year or Innovation Award must be members of SWFL Inc. Membership is free and available online at SWFLinc.com.

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AUGUST 2021

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

Page 17

BUSINESS SERVICES

CAM Management of SWFL helps small business owners “Leaving money on the table” is a euphemism for a missed opportunity. It’s also a phrase used in business when you miss out on money in a deal that was there for the asking.

Today, over 90% of small businesses are “leaving money on the table” by not taking advantage of Congressional implemented tax incentives, says Matthew Jahnke, president of CAM Management of SWFL, a new Naples independent professional research and development tax services firm that guides small and large businesses to restate tax returns for up to three years to claim R&D incentives and authenticate credits by navigating the complexities of more than 700 tax incentives using a process accredited by the Internal Revenue Service.

“Many businesses pivoted during the pandemic and may qualify for important R&D tax incentives. These credits can save owners tens of thousands of dollars every year and help improve cash flow,” says Jahnke, a consultant with Business Group Resources, adding BGR has successfully helped than 5,000 small businesses save millions of dollars in taxes since 2004.

First enacted by Congress in 1981 as a two-year incentive, the R&D tax credit allows a dollar-for-dollar reduction of federal taxes owed for qualified expenditures incurred in the development of improving or creating new or improved products, processes and technology. In 2015, The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act made the R&D credit permanent and

expanded its application to create a potential tax benefit for small businesses and start-up companies.

“If you are developing or improving upon technology or products, you may be entitled to some money back from the IRS,” Jahnke says. “Businesses routinely improve their products and processes every year which entitles them to recoup the costs of these activities.

To do so, the businesses need to

BY MATTHEW identify the activity and document JAHNKE it in a way acceptable to the IRS. Guest Columnist “If your company invests resources to make its own products, services, software or processes cleaner, greener, quicker or cheaper, you most likely could qualify for the credit,” he adds, noting that more than 90% of startups, small and midsize businesses are completely unaware they are eligible for government-sponsored tax credits or how to apply for them.

To be eligible for the credit, R&D activities must meet IRS criteria known as the three-part test.

1. Being Creative rule - the business must be creative or expanding in nature.

2. Rule of 1 - must be at least one employee on payroll.

3. Paid Taxes rule - business must have paid taxes

for the years they want to receive benefits.

Qualifying businesses include doctors, dentists, chiropractors, contractors, manufacturers, engineers, medical devise designers, farmers, auto companies, financial services firms, software developers, entertainment companies, media firms, lighting designers, plumbers, tool and die shops, IT firms, fashion designers, oil and gas companies, consultants, chemical companies, printers, food processors, architects, electricians, steel companies, staffing firms and telecommunications and more.

R&D tax credits can be retroactive. Companies that haven’t previously taken advantage of the credit have the option to look back at three years of open tax years to claim any missed opportunity. If a company doesn’t currently have taxable income or is otherwise limited in how much tax credit it can use, the federal tax credit can be carried forward for 20 years or potentially applied to offset the company’s federal payroll tax under the newly expanded rules. Jahnke cautions CPAs typically do not claim the highly specialized R&D credits and are often unaware their business owner clients qualify. Jahnke partners with CPAs to help their clients retrieve the tax refunds.

To learn more about available R&D tax incentives and a free no-obligation analysis, contact Matthew Jahnke at (515) 868-1362 or visit mjahnke.businessgroup resources.com/ to schedule an appointment online.

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Page 18

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

AUGUST 2021

THE GROWING PROCESS

A 100,000-plus square-foot facility for Finn Farms holds 100-foot growing lines inside.

FARM PAGE 1 and comprehensive focus on sustainability provide a ‘living laboratory’ for innovative companies working to develop and implement advanced technologies to address the world’s biggest challenges.”

The robotic planting and harvesting equipment, fertilization systems, the peat moss growing media and the 300-foot-long growing lines inside the 100,010 square feet greenhouse are the same technologies used in hydroponics facilities in colder climates.

But Finn Farms is the first to put them to the test in a subtropical climate. The key innovation at Finn Farms is the chilling system that utilizes curtains of hyper-chilled water droplets to both cool and de-humidify the massive greenhouse.

Finn Farms officially kicked off operations Monday with behind-thescenes tours for Charlotte County government and business leaders. Almost

everything is automated. Trays filled with bio-degradable pots of peat moss move along the line to the seeding machine before being stacked and taken to the germination room. Two days later, they’re rolled out to the greenhouse, where workers place them onto one of 12 growing lines.

“We are able to maintain ideal conditions for growing a broad variety of herbs, microgreens, sprouts and lettuce – all harvested daily to provide our customers with a reliable, year-round source of the highest quality local produce,” Kariste explained. “We have the capacity to plant 60,000 plants per day, and we are currently negotiating with several different customer groups who will have the opportunity to customize our product output to best meet their needs.”

Seedlings progress steadily down the growing lines each day toward harvest at the other end. The total time from planting to harvest is 25-30 days, depending on the product. Finn Farms will package and ship both cut greens

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and living plants for maximum freshness.

“Every day that passes between harvest and consumption is a degradation of nutritional values,” Kariste said. “We think this concept can be scaled into a turnkey greenhouse project management business, working with franchise partners to provide communities across Florida and in similar climates around the world with a reliable, year-round supply of fresh, local greens.”

The first phase of the proto-type facility can produce more than 1 million pounds of produce for Southwest Florida grocery and restaurant customers each year. Phase 2 at the Babcock Ranch location will double the size to approximately 5 acres of hydroponic production and will introduce a stateof-the-art vertical farming solution.

“Finn Farms has the potential to be a real game changer,” Kitson said. “We’re proud to see the future of agriculture taking root at Babcock Ranch.”

ESTERO PAGE 1 Other business projects include a Stock Development project and an apartment complex with 198 units, as well as a Texas Roadhouse restaurant, a Sprouts farmers market grocery store and a Starbucks.

“Of course,” she noted, “our demographics are changing, so we will continue to evolve to accommodate the younger demographics that are coming our way.”

Errington indicated Estero is on a fast track for continued growth and residential real estate is red-hot with 13,000 homes being developed off Corkscrew Road, including 2,400 homes in Verdana Village. Plans are also being considered for acreage

Seeds are planted in “growing media” – peat that is brought in from Finland, with nutrient levels that the plants need to thrive – and placed on growing tables that are approximately 3 feet high and 300 feet long. Total time from planting to harvest is 25 to 30 days, depending on product type.

Planting and harvesting is done daily.

The fully controlled, full closed environment for perfect growing environment year-round, with no loss of water to evaporation – to get much better results utilizing much less water per square foot, and on much less land. Rainwater for irrigation is harvested from the rooftop of the facility and stored in huge cisterns. During dry periods, Finn Farms will be utilizing high-quality water from wells at Babcock Ranch.

The facility provides ideal conditions for producing broad variety of herbs, microgreens and sprouts, and lettuce. Allocations to various product will be responsive to market demand as they line up contracts –but will include basil, cilantro, dill, parsley, thyme, pea and sunflower shoots, radish sprouts, wheatgrass, and all popular varieties of lettuce including Kale, Romaine, Iceberg and Arugula.

The advantages of using a closed system or hydroponics include: • Zero pesticides • Fresh, highest quality produce available year-round from trusted, local source. Water is main ingredient in produce – comfort of knowing safe, high-quality sources for irrigation. Super-local, eliminating costs, environmental and product quality impacts of cross-country and international shipping • “Touchless” process – never touched by human hands in the process • Maximum production with minimum impacts – producing 24X more per acre than traditional agriculture, and with product harvested daily, all year round

Don’t forget to post your in-person and virtual events on our B2B events calendar at www.swfloridabusinesstoday.com/ calendar that would include an indoor air-conditioned sports complex as well as a shopping center.

Only 15% of Estero’s land is developed, Errington noted. When asked if Estero is hard to develop because it’s been so controlled, Estero Village resident and commercial realtor Jim Tatooles noted, “It gives the area stability to keep higher-end development projects. But, it does take too long to get approvals, so we have now combined our two boards so the project approval process will be easier.”

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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

Page 19

CRE: CONSTRUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

How building owners can reduce risk of structural failure Regular maintenance and inspection are important to the operations of any building and the safety of its inhabitants. It’s critical that building owners are prepared to identify and quickly correct any signs of structural damage to prevent both minor and major loss events.

While the immediate cause of the failure that led to the collapse of Champlain Towers in Surfside has yet to be determined (as of mid-July), its impact on the insurance market has potential to be significant. Furthermore, depending on the reason for the collapse, potential changes in building construction and code requirements may also be impacted by this catastrophic event.

Experts are already speculating on changes that will take place, with the expectation the biggest change will be in the underwriting process. Inspection reports will likely be given greater consideration, and underwriters will ask more questions about the structural integrity and maintenance of a building. Modern building codes and structural engineering made our buildings extremely safe places to live and work. However, without the right maintenance and attention, minor issues can quickly grow into large safety concerns, which carry high costs.

How to identify risks The most effective way to keep buildings structurally safe is to perform regular inspections. While recertification for buildings is required 40 years after construction in Southern Florida, more consistent inspections from third-party professionals – such as structural engineers – can identify issues, big or small, before they lead to deficiencies or damages. It’s important, especially along the coast, to seek location-specific expertise from inspectors familiar with the hazards and signs of structural damage due to local weather, such as saltwater corrosion.

Inspectors should be expected to: • Review any changes following renovations, additions or anything that affects the building’s structure such as adding loading to a roof or moving walls.

• Conduct post-event inspections following ma-

jor weather events to identify damage, including seemingly insignificant things such as blocked drains, which lead to water ponding.

• Identify any concrete

BY MARK

BY KERRI spalling or wall LEE SISSON cracks and Guest Columnist Guest Columnist determine the reasons for the damage and if any immediate action is required.

Building management can also be helpful in monitoring more visibly damaged building components.

They should be intimately familiar with the building and perform regular assessments. Maintenance staff and leadership should be trained to recognize potential signs of risk which may identify issues prior to more formal inspections. Formalizing documentation of assessments may help to record actions taken to reduce property and liability risk for the buildings and their residents.

What to do when a risk is identified If signs of structural damage become apparent, immediate action should be taken. While potentially expensive, early identification of issues will reduce the extent and costs of repairs. It’s critical building owners institute planning for major improvements and capital expenditures in all building maintenance plans, because putting off known issues due to funding concerns puts buildings and occupants at risk.

An additional challenge for condo buildings is ensuring appropriate funding from the homeowner association. It is the challenging responsibility of the board

to not only collect HOA fees but determine when and how to ask residents for additional fees to cover repairs.

Insurance for buildings in coastal regions is already challenging due to the recurring threat of hurricanes and tropical storms. Insurance companies tightened conditions for insuring these properties in recent years. Now, it’s anticipated insurance providers will ask building owners to submit proof of passed inspections as well.

Building owners should not reduce or forgo insurance coverage to cut costs or avoid assessments. Potential property damage claims, as well as injury and death claims, from a catastrophic event can be in the millions, potentially exceeding insurance coverage. It is recommended every building complete a formal review of policies by a trusted insurance professional.

In addition to protecting the building, we recommend you also protect your board members. The importance of directors and officers (D&O) insurance to protect HOA board members is also becoming more apparent as the decisions they make can come back to haunt them, specifically pulling from their personal wealth after the HOA’s D&O policy has been drained. Like your property coverage, we recommend your D&O policy be reviewed by a trusted professional familiar in this space.

There is never a complete guarantee a building will not experience a catastrophic event, but taking measures such as assessments; maintenance and capital upgrades to reduce risk will help ensure that preventable losses and damages are indeed avoided.

Kerri Sisson is area vice president for Leading Edge Benefit Advisors, Hub International Company. She joined Leading Edge Benefit Advisors in Fort Myers in 2004 and most recently served as managing partner.

Leading Edge was acquired by Hub Florida in November 2020. Mark Lee is an assistant vice president and risk consultant with Hub International. Contact (239) 433-4471.

AAF-SWFL MEMBER

Raise your business game with strategic marketing plan To rise to the top in your industry, a well thought out strategic marketing plan that is developed, executed and managed by a trusted marketing partner is key. It takes a full team of graphic designers, brand strategists, media specialists, content writers, digital marketing experts and website developers to manage day-to-day operations, but the cost of hiring an in-house team of experts or even one person with benefits can be cost prohibitive.

Many startups or small businesses try to manage marketing on their own to save money, but this often results in burnout and does not always end well. Social media platforms become dormant, websites become outdated and media opportunities slip by. Before you know it, customers start taking their business elsewhere.

This is why we often advise business owners to budget for and invest in ongoing monthly marketing support.

Working in partnership with a professional marketing team will help to modernize your current marketing strategy, free up your time to run your business, keep payroll costs down and produce long-term results for your business. A qualified and experienced agency can

serve as your company’s marketing department for less than the cost of hiring one full-time marketing professional. For example: When you hire CONRIC pr + marketing, your company has access to our full team of professionals with more than 300 years of combined industry experience in public relations, digital marketing, videography, marketing strategy, web development, branding, graphic design,

BY CONNIE event planning and more.

RAMOS-WILLIAMS The right agency will listen and Guest Columnist learn all there is to know about your company in order to develop, implement and manage a unique brand and marketing strategy that will take your company to new heights, rising above your competition. Every marketing plan should be tailored to fit your business model and the company’s needs to ensure your vision becomes a real-

You’re in good company with WGCU Public Media Add value and credibility to your business by sponsoring the quality programming of public media.

ity. It’s important to start somewhere, so set a budget and reach out to interview potential marketing partners.

Since 2007, local, regional and national brands put their trust in CONRIC pr + marketing to enhance their brand, tell their compelling stories, protect their reputation, tackle important public policy issues, control the narrative during a crisis, celebrate key milestones, increase audience reach and exceed revenue goals.

It’s time to up your business game and rise to the top.

Call (239) 690-9840, ext. 1001, info@conricpr.com, or visit conricpr.com to schedule a complimentary consultation to learn more about how hiring the right agency can make all the difference in the world for your business.

Connie Ramos-Williams is the president and chief marketing officer at CONRIC pr + marketing, a leading creative agency with offices in Fort Myers and Naples that specializes in branding, digital marketing, public relations, graphic design and website. Visit conricpr. com, email info@conricpr.com or call (239) 690-9840.

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Contact Rachel Peacock at rpeacock@wgcu.org for current rate plans

Page 20

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

AUGUST 2021

WE MAKE BANKING ABOUT YOU!

“A LOAN CAN SPARK ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES,

including a better way of doing business.

— Greg Blurton, Vice President, Sr. Commercial Loan Officer

Like Thomas Edison,

we believe there is always “a better way.”

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

We invite you to experience the benefits of joining Edison National Bank/ Bank of the Islands.

Edison National Bank/ Bank of the Islands customers enjoy:

• free online and mobile banking • no-fee access®to their account funds at any Publix

Presto! ATM

• free bill pay services for personal account holders

• courier and cash management services for business clients

• streamlined processing for all loans

including commercial and residential mortgage loans

To learn more about our customer services and convenient locations, please visit EdisonNationalBank.com or call 239.466.1800.

An Equal Housing Lender | Member FDIC | Bank of the Islands is an office of Edison National Bank.