INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
We’re All Business
Looking Back, Looking Ahead
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA’S BUSINESS VOICE • 239-573-9732 Vol. 10 No. 2 / DECEMBER 2016 www.swfloridabusinesstoday.com
IN THE NEWS
Distributed in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Estero, Bonita Springs and Naples
TAKE ONE
FOLLOW SOUTHWEST FLORIDA BUSINESS TODAY ON:
OVERCOMING ADVERSITY TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS
Is Southwest Florida ready for the future?
By 2030, 6 million additional residents will call Florida home, and two million more jobs will be needed. Is Southwest Florida ready? To prepare for this continued growth, and secure our future success, the region needs a plan that develops high-wage jobs, diversifies the economy, ensures global competitiveness and creates vibrant communities. How do we capture the next generation of jobs and ensure prosperity? What are the priorities we should focus on to remain competitive? What trends, issues, or disruptions will drive our regions future? JOBS See page 3
Naples airport receives grant, funds for taxiway
Naples Airport Authority has received a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration and additional funds from the Florida Department of Transportation for the reconfiguration of the end of Taxiway A at Runway 5. Once complete, the improvement project will bring Runway 5’s connector up to FAA’s new standards and add a needed holding bay. The FAA grant totals $1,580,993, which reflects 90 percent of the project cost. Through a Joint Participation Agreement with FDOT, the Airport Authority will receive 5 percent of the project cost, or $87,883. The remaining 5 percent of the project cost is covered by the airport’s capital improvement project budget. AIRPORT See page 8
Bonita Springs United Way expands services
Services at the East Bonita Springs United Way House are expanding with the addition of The Salvation Army. Salvation Army will be doing a ribbon cutting at 10:00 a.m. Photo and interview opportunities will be available. The Salvation Army will have a food pantry on Thursdays, with additional services such as diapers and hygiene products for distribution, emergency housing and utility assistance, and services to help build self-sufficiency. SERVICES See page 5
Photos by Jim Jett Billy’s Rentals (in blue) was announced as the 22nd annual Blue Chip Community Business Award winner.
Billy’s Rental wins Blue Chip Award
Billy’s Rental was announced as the 22nd annual Blue Chip Community Business Award winner. After overcoming many permit, environmental and professional challenges, owner Billy Kirkland has fostered a successful beach equipment rental-related business on Sanibel and Captiva Island, focusing on a local customer base. Billy’s Rentals is the largest bicycle rental business on Sanibel and Captiva Island. With an initial challenge of small island sensitivity to commercialization in its earlier years, the beach equipment business worked to earn the trust and respect of the community through participation in many community events, fundraisers and conservation efforts. Left to right, Gary Trippe, Founder, Oswald Trippe/BB&T Since then, Billy’s Rentals has become a well-respected and Insurance; Captain Larry Brudnicki, Keynote Speaker; trusted philanthropic business in the community. John Pollock, Regional President, BB&T Insurance, visit BLUE CHIP See page 6 at the event.
“New hometown” rising in Babcock Ranch By Karen P. Moore Publisher
I’ve never had the opportunity to witness the birth of a town. As I’m writing this, there’s a period western on the television in the other room, complete with a rousing western theme. And as we drove through the beginnings of the Babcock Ranch “settlement” last week, my thoughts had drifted back to a time when townspeople came together to do a “houseraising” for a new neighbor—just like in the Old West. More recently, right here in Southwest Florida, when Hurricane Charlie “came through town” 12 years ago,
Photo by Jim Jett The foundations for homes in Babcock Ranch are being poured. our neighborhood was left relatively unscathed—but everyone was without power for a week or so. It was August so it was HOT. With no air conditioning there was no relief from the heat
in or outside of the house. No electric light at night—just candle light in most cases. I sent my husband long distances just to get a few bags of ice that we threw in the tub because we were using the tub as an “ice box.” When I was a kid, we didn’t get air conditioning till I was about 10, so to me, Hurricane Charlie “forced us” to open the windows and the doors—like it was when I was a kid. And we all spent a lot more time outside—like it was when I was a kid. There were cookouts every night and everyone was sharing what they had with everyone who needed it—like it was when I was a kid.
PLAN A COMPANY OUTING
SUITES AVAILABLE FOR HOLIDAY PARTIES! 239.948.PUCK • FloridaEverblades.com
BABCOCK See page 3 VS DECEMBER 10 VS ELMIRA
TEDDY BEAR TOSS & UGLY SWEATER NIGHT JERSEY AUCTION
ADVERTISE
WITH GERMAIN ARENA & THE EVERBLADES!