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Celebrating 11 Years
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Special to SWFBT Submitted by Jacob Ogles, Editor
Businesses and organizations paving the way to the future in Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties.
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Algae expert studies health risks James Metcalf calls algal blooms a ‘global’ problem
Local Organizations to Watch
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Layers of thick algae on the Caloosahatchee River this year left local business owners economically devastated and longing for solutions to the ecological threat. That’s important to address for the health of the region as well, according to Dr. James Metcalf, a senior researcher at Brain Chemistry Labs. But the good news is scientists across the world continue to tackle the issue. “Florida isn’t the only place,” he
said. “This isn’t something that just happened in the last few years.” Metcalf came to Fort Myers as the keynote speaker for the 28th Annual Southwest Florida Water Resources Conference. After a summer in Lee County that started with reports of blue-green algae in the rivers and ended with red tide blooms on the beaches, the event drew special attention. The researcher brought expertise developed by studying cyanobacteria for nearly two decades. Metcalf has worked at the Institute for Ethnomedicine in Wyoming since 2013.
He said there have been documented concerns about blue-green algal blooms killing livestock and animal habitats since the 19th century. He said significant concerns in populations with extended exposure do arise. But scientists have spent more than a century studying the properties of the algae. In Guam, some human populations have dealt with the extended presence of blue-green algae for decades. Metcalf said there’s evidence the beta-methylamino-L-alanine toxins, known as BMAA, raises the chance of
ALGAE See page 15
POPULAR SHORES OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Commercial Real Estate
A specially focused monthly section exploring the SWFL commercial real estate marketplace.
IN THE NEWS
Talmage tapped to direct Lee County EDO
John Talmage started as director of the Lee County Economic Development Office and Pamela Johnson assumed new responsibilities as deputy director of EDO, Lee County Sports Development and the Visitor & Convention Bureau. She had been leading EDO in her role as Acting Director. Talmage spent his career working in economic development for DIRECTOR See page 3
Thompson first woman to chair CPAmerica
Sharon M. Thompson, leading partner and managing shareholder of Fort Myers-based Hughes, Snell & Co. has been named 2019 chairman of the board of directors of CPAmerica. Thompson is the first woman to be named board chairman in CPAmerica’s 40-year history. A group of nine directors are selected from a diverse representation of firms from each of CPAmerica’s five regions. CPAmerica International is one of the world’s largest networks of independent CPA firms. The organization brings together partners from member firms across the United States for networking and continuing professional education.
Photos courtesy Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB Tourism chief says if people want to visit a destination, they may want to live and work there as well.
Hospitality first step in placemaking choices Special to SWFBT Submitted by Karen P. Moore, Publisher “Create a place where people want to visit, then you’ve created a place where people want to live. Create a place where people want to live, then you’ve created a place where people want to work. Create a place where people want to work, then you’ve created a place where business has to be. And if you create a place where business has to be, then you’re a place where people have to visit. It all starts with the visit.” Jack Wert, executive director for the Naples, Marco Island and Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau, recently opened his presentation “Tourism Works for Collier County” with this quote from Maura Gast, Executive Director of Irving Convention & Visitors Bureau of Irving, Texas. “This is the role of not only the CVB but of each and every one of Collier County’s residents.”
Numerous dining options contribute to creating a family TOURISM See page 11 vacation destination.
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