Nov
21
Fort Myers River District progress helps businesses breathe easier
By SARA FITZPATRICK
Associate Editor
Accuse Don Paight of being an idealist, and he’ll probably laugh in agreement.
But for the executive director of the Fort Myers Redevelopment Agency, it’s an asset, not a liability.
“I’m the eternal optimist,” he said. “I’ve been at this for over 20 years now, but I always see the bright side of it.”
He says optimism is requisite for his position – especially with his plate being as full as it currently is.
He knows the utilities and streetscape improvement project has been grueling for River District businesses. The economic downturn doesn’t make it any easier.
Now that First Street is open, however, Paight is confident he’s not the only one who can see the light at the end of the tunnel. The end of a trying time for downtown businesses is finally within sight.
But setting all these bricks also sets into motion a bold new vision for the area.
Nov
21
What’s in a name?
Filed Under Economic Development, Technology, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
SW Fla on the verge of creating regional identity
By ANNIE LINDSTROM
Business Writer
We’re not the Space Coast. We’re not the Research Coast. We’re not the Heartland Region or the Tampa Bay Partnership.
Southwest Florida may be the only major region in the state without a readily recognizable identity.
But that’s about to change – soon.
Nov
21
Secondhand gets the upper hand
Filed Under Economic Development, Going "Green", Trends, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
In tough economy, “gently loved” gains greater appeal
By SARA FITZPATRICK
Associate Editor
Storefronts plastered with “out of business” signs compose an increasingly familiar ghost town landscape of Southwest Florida’s retail districts.
Among the tumbleweeds, though, is an oasis. It’s not a mirage; one retail sector really is booming: Consignment shops, secondhand stores and other resellers are seeing an increase in traffic and actual sales.
Nov
21
Florida Gulf Coast University contributed $389 million in expenditures to Southwest Florida’s economy last year, according to an analysis by Gary Jackson, director of the Regional Economic Research Institute in the Lutgert College of Business.
The study determined that the overall economic impact in the five-county service area (Charlotte, Collier, Lee, Glade and Hendry counties) for fiscal 2007-08 amounted to $389 million in total expenditures, the creation of 3,525 jobs and $162 million in labor income.
Jackson’s study estimated the direct and indirect economic impact of the university on the five-county Southwest Florida service area using IMPLAN, an input/output economic model.
The analysis illustrates that the tremendous growth in enrollment and infrastructure in the university’s 11-year history has had a significant positive impact upon the region’s economy. Student enrollment rose to 10,220 in fall 2008, an increase of 7 percent from the previous fall. The employees and infrastructure required to support that growth are responsible for the substantial economic impact on the region.
Nov
21
Israeli consul general to speak at CleanTECH Market briefing
Filed Under Economic Development | Leave a Comment
“Israeli water management is among the best in the world,” according to the Economic Development Council of Collier County (EDC). And “Israel has more solar panels per person than any other country in the world.”
In the hopes of gleaning from that technology – and to encourage economic development in Israel and Southwest Florida, the EDC has invited Israeli Consul General Ofer Bavly to address attendees of the CleanTECH Market briefing this month. Read more
Nov
21
Major maintenance conference sweeps into SW Florida
Filed Under Economic Development | Leave a Comment
STAFF REPORT
The world’s longest-running maintenance-focused conference is coming next month to Bonita Springs.
The 23rd incarnation of the International Maintenance Conference, a four-day learning event with a maintenance and reliability focus, traditionally attracts 1,000 senior managers with responsibility for physical asset management – making it the largest event of its type. The show is being presented by Reliabilityweb.com, which boasts an online network of maintenance and reliability web sites serving over 55,000 maintenance and reliability professionals from around the world. Read more
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