Lead Photo: Seagate Development Group has completed a remodel of EmCyte Corp.’s headquarters
REPORT: REAL ESTATE MARKET THRIVES IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
Residential, commercial, industrial – pretty much every category of real estate continues to thrive in Southwest Florida. So said three real estate experts who each gave 30-minute presentations Sept. 9 at Caloosa Sound Convention Center in downtown Fort Myers. Single-family home permits rose by 61% in Lee, 37% in Collier and 32% in Charlotte counties, year-over-year, according to Randy Thibaut, CEO of LSI Companies, and organizer of the Market Trends event. The growth keeps happening farther inland. Residential home markets keep thriving, especially the luxury market, said Denny Grimes, president of Denny Grimes & Team at Keller Williams Realty. E-commerce has changed the dynamics of both commercial and industrial real estate, with commercial shifting to smaller, neighborhood mini-strip malls and industrial booming with last-mile delivery warehouses, said Justin Thibaut, president of LSI Companies. For the full story, click here.
Video courtesy of WINK News
CHARTER CAPTAINS SUE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OVER ELECTRONIC MONITORING OF BOATS, FISHING
Some charter boat captains fear the federal government’s plans to use GPS to track their movements could be invasive and bad for business. The new rule from NOAA Fisheries includes GPS monitoring of boats and electronic reporting for fishing. Gulf Coast captains have decided to challenge the new rule with a lawsuit. “If the device chooses not to function on a particular day, for whatever reason, our boats have to remain tied to the dock. So, we can’t go fishing if their device doesn’t work,” says Capt. Allen Walburn of Naples-based A & B Charters, who has been taking guests deep sea fishing for more than 40 years. NOAA Fisheries, which says the goal behind the rule is to provide more accurate and reliable information about catches to keep tabs on fish populations and better manage fisheries, declined to comment on pending litigation, WINK News reports.
ENTREPRENEURS INVITED TO APPLY FOR SHARK TANK-STYLE PITCH EVENT IN NAPLES
Eight entrepreneurs will be chosen from a pool of applicants to participate in a “Shark Tank”-style pitch event on Oct. 9 hosted by Accanito Capital Group, a private equity group in Naples. The event at Arthrex Innovation Hotel in North Naples will allow local entrepreneurs to present their product or service to a board of advisors for consideration for potential capital investment. Accanito Capital has a track record of successful investments in software and technology companies, but the firm actively seeks investment opportunities each year outside of its technology focus, capitalizing on entrepreneurs from the local business community. From the pool of applicants, eight entrepreneurs each will have a 30-minute slot — 20 minutes to pitch their idea and a 10-minute Q&A to follow. Then, the presenter will receive feedback from a seasoned panel of advisors — and perhaps the opportunity for capital investment. To apply for consideration, click here.
RESURFACED FORT MYERS BEACH FISHING PIER REOPENS
The Fort Myers Beach Fishing Pier at Lynn Hall Memorial Park, 950 Estero Blvd., reopened to the public on Friday. The pier has been closed since mid-August for maintenance to resurface the concrete deck, which is done every 10 to 15 years. The work is funded through the tourist development tax assessed on short-term lodging. For information about Lee County Parks & Recreation locations, amenities and special events, click here.
SEAGATE COMPLETES THIRD REMODEL OF EMCYTE HEADQUARTERS
Seagate Development Group has completed a remodel of EmCyte Corp.’s headquarters at 4331 Veronica S. Shoemaker Blvd. in Fort Myers. Part of the autologous regenerative biologics company’s third phase, it included creating a manufacturing space in the warehouse of a preexisting 30,000-square-foot facility. The remodel accommodates an ever-growing amount of medical equipment among current learning centers and offices. By the fourth quarter of 2021, the remodel will be coupled with a 14,000-square-foot laboratory and warehouse, accompanied by air-conditioning-controlled storage. It will ultimately connect to the now freestanding building by a breezeway. Crews are also working on additional parking and travel lanes for deliveries. Seagate has worked with EmCyte for nearly three years on its headquarters.
Estero Fire Station 45. Courtesy SchenkelShultz
SCHENKELSHULTZ ARCHITECTURE DESIGNING NEW ESTERO FIRE RESCUE STATION
SchenkelShultz Architecture has designed the Estero Fire Rescue Station No. 45 and Training Facility in Lee County. The new 19,200-square-foot facility on five acres features an open layout for rapid response, a biodiversity garden, training area and fitness trail. The fire station will include three drive-through bays and two back-in bays, a dayroom, a kitchen, bunk rooms, a fitness room, a public lobby and A multi-purpose training room for community use. Several design strategies were incorporated to promote the health, safety and wellness of first responders. The project also includes a multi-building training area with structures designed to simulate real-world scenarios for first responders. SchenkelShultz has completed more than 90 public safety projects, including fire / EMS stations, emergency operations centers, fire training facilities, police stations and law enforcement training centers.
MONTGOMERY JOINS ESBROOK LAW AS SENIOR COUNSEL
C. Barry Montgomery joined Esbrook Law PC as senior counsel on Sept. 7. Montgomery comes with decades of experience as a trial lawyer and strategist in the areas of complex commercial litigation, product liability, mass tort, class actions, construction litigation, insurance litigation and corporate transactions. He has tried more than 150 jury trials to verdict in state and federal courts throughout the U.S. He is a fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and a Fellow of the International Society of Barristers. He has served as a faculty instructor at the University of Michigan, Advocacy Institute, Ann Arbor, Michigan; National Institute for Trial Advocacy, Advanced Program, Boulder, Colorado; and International Association of Defense Counsel Trial Academy. Montgomery earned his law degree from the University of Michigan.
Jeff Rand
RAND JOINS GATES CONSTRUCTION AS SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER
Gates Construction has added Jeff Rand as senior project manager. Rand is responsible for overall project coordination from the preconstruction stage and permitting through to owner occupancy. He has more than 40 years of diverse experience in construction management with a career focus in multi-family, health care, government, and hospitality projects. Based out of Gates Construction’s Bonita Springs office, Rand is currently working on the dormitory project at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida in Naples.
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA RELEASES 2020-2021 IMPACT STATISTICS
Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida has released its 2020-2021 impact statistics which showcase an expansion of its student influence. The organization provided more than 126,000 hours of instruction to nearly 13,900 students in 576 classes throughout Collier, Lee, and Charlotte counties. This represents a 98%, 33% and 29% increase, respectively, over the previous year. The organization says will continue to accelerate its existing programs to deliver an impactful and essential curriculum focusing on work and career readiness and financial literacy.
NOVEMBER SPECIAL SECTION: COMPANIES THAT CARE
The November issue of Gulfshore Business magazine will include our annual “Companies That Care” special advertising section. Charitable organizations are invited to participate to highlight the critical work they do and the positive impact that it has on our communities. Companies are invited to participate to highlight the charitable organizations they support and why they give. Don’t miss this special opportunity to promote your company’s philanthropic efforts to the 40,000-plus monthly readers of Gulfshore Business magazine. For advertising inquiries, please contact Associate Publisher Chris Renstrom at 239-498-8517 or chris.renstrom@gulfshorebusiness.com.
Angela Melvin, founder of Valerie’s House
CHARITABLE NOTES
Valerie’s House receives $50,000 grant from Major League Baseball, Players Association
Valerie’s House has been awarded a $50,000 grant from Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) to help in its mission of helping children grieve the loss of a loved one. MLB and the MLBPA announced the fifth round of recipients for the joint “Healthy Relationships Community Grant” program. The current distribution of more than $500,000 is going to 11 nonprofit organizations, marking nearly $2.5 million donated to more than 50 organizations so far in this program. The focus areas for the organizations receiving funding include support for survivors of domestic violence, mental health resiliency, and developing positive relationship skills in youth as a preventive measure to breaking the cycle of violence. Organizations were encouraged to apply for funding to cover general operating expenses, allowing them to respond to their greatest needs, or program support.
Florida SouthWestern State College receives $20,550 grant from Truist Foundation
Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) has received a $20,550 grant from the Truist Foundation. The grant will be used to expand and purchase new equipment for FSW’s Associate in Science degree in digital art and multimedia production program. There is a growing need, both in the Southwest Florida region and nationally, for digital content creators as more and more businesses look for employees with digital and multimedia skills, FSW states. Currently, six Florida state and community colleges offer similar programs.
Healthcare Network awarded $10,000 grant from Ronald McDonald House Charities
Healthcare Network has received a $10,000 grant from Ronald McDonald House Charities to support its Ronald McDonald Care Mobile. Since 2004, the mobile pediatric unit has provided dental screenings, sealants, fluoride and school physicals to at-risk first- and second-grade students attending Collier County schools. The unit also provides services at after-school and Head Start programs, child development centers and a variety of family-oriented festivals.
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