JULY 19 - JULY 25, 2024 | THREE DOLL ARS
FLOR IDA’S NE WSPAPER FOR T HE C - SUI T E
Take off | Venice airport moves forward on $6 million terminal project. PG.8 PASCO • H ILL SBOROUG H • PIN ELL AS • P OLK • M A N ATEE • SA R ASOTA • C H A R LOT TE • LEE • COLLIER
Crossed Lines Going against conventional wisdom, some businesses in the region are melding national political beliefs into everything the company does — and sells. SEE PAGE 10
ILLUSTRATION BY LUIS TRUJILLO
IN MEMORIAM
DATA SNAPSHOT
COMPANIES
REAL ESTATE
Mike LaPensee
Triple Threat
Road Map
Ship Shape
The Fort Myers-Naples office market is an enviable spot, with low vacancies and surging demand presenting opportunities for developers. PAGE 6
DON’T MISS:
Her t z Globa l Holdings, amid seismic challenges in the rental car industry, hires multiple new executives to help turn the company around. PAGE 7
One of the largest usable com mercia l water f ront portfolios in Lee County has been listed for sale as the community continues its post-Ian recovery. PAGE 12
Sarasota office building sells for $5.5 million. 14 Construction underway on 42-story downtown Tampa tower. 14
PAGE
5 Furniture store with wine bar coming to Sarasota.
BIG HOT OFF THE PRESS 2023
BOOK OF BUSINESS
428264-1
Mike LaPensee was a rare entrepreneur, leading a b e a c h-b a s e d M a n a t e e County plumbing firm to expansion in geography and services. PAGE 3
REAL ESTATE
THE DATA THE LISTS THE CHANGE MAKERS
DON’T WAIT, ORDER TODAY!
Go to BusinessObserverFL.com/big-book-of-business www.BusinessObserverFL.com