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GUBERNATORIAL STOP INSIDE INSIDE THIS THIS ISSUE ISSUE:
Look Ahead, Look Back
Looking Back, Looking Ahead
Entrepreneurs and business leaders reflect on 2017 and consider what 2018 has in store.
Commercial Real Estate
A specially focused monthly section exploring the SWFL commercial real estate marketplace.
Gov. Rick Scott unveils his plans for tax holidays in 2018 during a visit to Alufab USA.
Governor Scott unveils tax cuts at Alufab visit
IN THE NEWS Pushing the Envelope wins 2017 Business Ethics Award
Pushing the Envelope received the 2017 Business Ethics Award from the Uncommon Friends Foundation at its annual Uncommon Evening event held Nov. 2 at the Burroughs Home & Gardens. Other finalists in attendance were B & I Contractors headquartered in Fort Myers, represented by president Gary Griffin, and PBS Contractors of Naples, represented by Kim Ortegon and Gary Eskin. AWARD See page 3
Disaster Strike Team nabs fly-by-night contractor
Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis announced the arrest of Oscar M. Palma made by the Department of Financial Services’ Disaster Fraud Action Strike Team. Palma, a Fort Myers contractor, was reported to authorities after allegedly making subpar roof repairs to an area apartment complex following Hurricane Irma. Upon launching an investigation, fraud detectives quickly learned that while Palma advertised himself as a licensed and insured contractor, he in fact held no workers’ compensation coverage and was not licensed as a contractor. FRAUD See page 8
Photos by Jacob Ogles
By Jacob Ogles Print Editor, SWFBT
Alufab USA President and CEO Hugo Mir introduces Gov. Rick Scott, praising Florida’s business-friendly climate for the company’s success.
Gov. Rick Scott stopped by Fort Myers manufacturer Alufab USA on Nov. 6 to unveil a state budget proposal with $180 million in tax cuts. “What we’ve seen in this state is as we’ve cut taxes our revenues grow,” Scott said. His budget includes sales tax holidays, include a 10-day back-to-school shopping tax holiday and three sales tax holidays for hurricane season preparation, which constitute $88 million in reduced sales tax revenues. Another $87 million in cuts come from slashing
driver’s license renewal fees from $48 to $20. Fort Myers served as the first stop on a tour for the governor as he promotes his budget. He spoke at Alufab, a local firm making hurricane shutters and other storm preparation products. Hugo Mir, president and CEO of AluFab, said the company was founded in 2009 with six employees and has since grown to 47 employees while doing $10 million in business each year. He credited Scott’s efforts for deregulation and job creation with the company’s growth. “We have to thank the way the state runs for our success,” he said.
LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD
Cape Coral bruised but not broken in 2017 By Dana Brunett Guest Columnist
For Cape Coral, 2017 was a year of weather extremes that tested its first responders, administration and citizens. By all accounts, Cape Coral weathered the storms. The Cape went from the extremes of a severe drought to a 100-year rain event and was capped off by Hurricane Irma. It has become evident that Cape Coral is a resilient city full of hard working residents who will band together at a moment’s notice to overcome the obstacles placed before them.
Consider that Cape Coral is still one on the fastest growing cities in the country with an expanding business base yet is still a desirable location for retirees. A city that is looking to embrace the influx and growth of the millennial population and is trending to a younger average age. This past year saw many milestones in Cape Coral’s growth including the development of a new conference center set to open in December and the addition of three new car dealerships already announced. Nor-Tech Hi Performance
Boats is moving its headquarters to the Cape, constructing a new 45,000 square foot building and adding 150 new jobs. And many new and eclectic restaurants are calling Cape Coral home, especially in South Cape, which is poised for more growth as the new 47th Terrace Streetscape Project gets underway and while newer large-scale projects such as Bimini Basin await on the horizon. The City also adopted new Parks and Economic Development Master Plans to help guide Cape Coral’s future growth. CAPE CORAL See page 4 TEDDY BEAR TOSS
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