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Need a Financial Boost to Recover from Irma?
--NOW is the Time to Apply for an SBA Loan
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| Chad Kovarik applied for and received a U.S. SBA loan for Action Craft Boats. |
Although the deadline may change, right now business owners have only through November 24 to apply for a Disaster Loan for either physical damage and/or economic injury suffered from Hurricane Irma.
Owner of Action Craft Boats, Chad Kovarik, says it took him just two hours to get started, but it is vital to start the process NOW or you could miss out.
Follow this link to hear Chad's story:
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Learn About Small Business Loans
SCORE Small Business Lending Workshop
November 27, 2017
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Cost: Free
Keiser University
on Forum Corporate Parkway
in Fort Myers
Cash is the lifeblood of any business, yet access to capital, managing business finances, and navigating financing sources are some of the most challenging areas for business owners-and can make or break any enterprise.
The Small Business Lending Workshop was created specifically for small business owners to help dispel myths about small business lending and Small Business Administration loans.
This free seminar, featuring six expert presenters and provided by Southwest Florida SCORE, will help participants learn about the small business loan market and how to identify the right type of financial product for their particular business need.
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Free Ride Service Coming to South Cape Coral
The Nickel Ride is coming to town on Dec. 1. Haven't heard of it? Every ride is 100-percent free and eco-friendly, thanks to the electric Polaris Gem fleet's zero-carbon footprint. The Nickel Ride fleet accommodates up to five passengers and ensures efficient pickup and drop-off.
The Nickel Ride will move the masses within the Cape Coral Community Redevelopment Agency boundary that stretches from Cape Coral Parkway to the bridge to Palm Tree Boulevard, north S.E. 46th Lane, Miramar Street to the south, and portions of Coronado Parkway.
You can catch a ride while moseying down the street. Rides can also be requested by calling 855-WE-R-FREE (855-937-3733).
The rapid success and expansion of Nickel Ride can be attributed to its innovative business plan that aims to involve the local business community and unique in-vehicle experience provided by vetted drivers who act as friendly local guides.
The South Cape Hospitality & Entertainment Association (SHCEAA) organization has been highly supportive of the new collaboration. Cape Coral city officials have been receptive to the new service, which already operates in Fort Myers's downtown river district. "The Nickel Ride coming to South Cape was borne out of a necessity that has transpired from years of sustained growth the South Cape and surrounding area has seen," says Nickel Ride Founder and CEO Judah Longgrear. "With nearly 65 businesses in the South Cape, we feel there is a great opportunity to provide an alternative solution" for downtown revelers and tourists, he says.
Billed as Southwest Florida's fastest-growing transportation solution, Nickel Ride launches during a short ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 1 at BackStreets Sports Bar. Drink specials will be available. Riders on Dec. 1 will receive drink tokens for BackStreets Sports Bar, Dolphin Key Resort and Tiki Hut Bar & Grill, and Dixie Roadhouse. Riders who snap a photo during their Nickel Ride adventure can post the image on the official Nickel Ride Facebook page to win prizes.
How does Nickel Ride keep its services free? Every vehicle in the fleet is a host for local advertisers and business owners.
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You're Invited:
Mindful Healthcare Book Launch
Successful medical organizations should be optimal healing environments. A holistic, person-centered approach to the business of medicine focuses on empowering the health system and hospital's working community and the patients who walk through its doors.
Find out about Cape Coral Hospital's "wellness journey" on Friday, Dec. 1, when
Scott Kashman and Joan "Joany" Odorizzi share an inspiring story about the evolution of the hospital. Kashman is Lee Health's Chief Acute Care Officer for Lee Health. Odorizzi has a long nursing and hospital administration career at Cape Coral Hospital, including Vice President of Patient Care Services. Together, they wrote "Mindful Healthcare: Healthy Team, Healthy Business." All proceeds from sales of the book published in October go directly to the Community Wellness Fund at Lee Health.
Book launch presentation: Friday,
Dec. 1, 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Wellness Center Cape Coral, 609 S.E. 13th Court in Cape Coral.
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New Cape Coral Businesses
166
new businesses registered for Cape Coral Tax Receipts
(Business Licenses)
in October 2017.
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| Contact Us |
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Cape Coral Economic Development Office
Dana Brunett
Karen Ramos
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| Economic Development News |
Message From Your EDO Manager
City Adopts Economic Development Master Plan
On Oct. 23, the Cape City Council adopted the Economic Development Master Plan that is titled "A Blueprint for Promoting Growth." The master plan provides a framework for future development and targeted strategies to strengthen the commercial development outlook for Cape Coral and provide a more sustainable future.
The plan is broken into key strategies with associated action items that will be undertaken by the appropriate city departments. Some of the suggested actions can be completed in the near future, while several actions will be long-term projects, such as utility installation and interstate connections. City departments will work on completing the actions in the coming months and years in order to ensure that Cape Coral has all the essential elements for a sustainable economy today and far into the future.
The key strategies that will help to lay the groundwork for a sustainable economic future include:
1) Identifying the city's key development areas
2) Strengthening existing businesses within the city
3) Attracting ambitious entrepreneurs
4) Developing a pool of educated and skilled workers.
The Economic Development Master Plan also includes benchmarks to track the implementation progress. Having this plan in place ensures a clear direction for economic development regardless of turnover of staff and elected officials. The plan is considered a somewhat fluid document which can be updated and augmented as needed over time. The Economic Development Master Plan will soon be published and available on the city website. We will let you know when it's posted and encourage your ideas, so please contact us with suggestions and feedback.
Sincerely,
Dana Brunett
City of Cape Coral
Economic Development Manager
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Catch The Vision Highlights a City Moving Forward
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EDO Manager Dana Brunett presents key expansion developments from the anchor desk with long-time local consultant Joe Mazurkiewicz.
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From the size of the crowd and number of announcements, visitors to this year's Catch the Vision event would likely have been surprised to hear that Cape Coral was recovering from a recent hurricane.
Instead, the winds of change include some big wins for Cape Coral:
- New Nissan and Chrysler, Dodge & Jeep dealerships, with plans for a third car dealership along Pine Island Road, will provide more options in the auto market.
- The Westin's new Conference Center will have a soft opening in December, and officially begin hosting a wide array of events starting in January.
- A new 30,000-square-foot organic grocery store, part of a national retail chain, is coming to "the elusive" site at Santa Barbara Boulevard and Veterans Parkway.
- Burlington Coat Factory has announced plans to move into the former Sports Authority space on Pine Island Road.
- A new high-end motor coach resort is set to break ground in early 2018, featuring 188 acres near Burnt Store Road and Durden Parkway.
- A no-kill animal shelter will break ground in 2018 with plans to provide expanded services.
- Panera Bread is coming to South Cape.
Event organizers also gave a big nod to several companies you've seen profiled in this newsletter before who are taking big steps to grow in 2018:
- Gulf Coast Village opened the $32 million, 131,000-square-foot Palmview assisted living and memory facility this year. As part of Phase 2 of the expansion, more skilled nursing units are being added.
- Architectural Metal Flashings opened its 12,000 square-foot manufacturing company in Cape Coral this year, becoming a preferred manufacturer for the rising, solar-powered Babcock Ranch community.
- AAE Glass has opened its new studio and design center, effectively doubling its class space, with a new glass-related silk screening operation being added. AAE Glass teaches and supplies fused art glass online and in-person to people from around the world.
- Ecological Laboratories continues to bring its environmentally friendly products to an ever-growing market, with plans to complete its sixth expansion in Cape Coral this year.
- Shoot Center, a new indoor gun range on Del Prado Boulevard, has a strong focus on customer service.
And the list goes on. EDO Manager Dana Brunett told the crowd, "Hurricane Irma may have punched us in the nose, but we came back strong."
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Zak's Jewelry: A Family Tradition,
Cape Coral Landmark
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| Third-generation owner of Zak's Jewelry, Alison Polo, completes a sale to a satisfied customer. |
Zak's Jewelry has a sparkling setting in Cape Coral's history: The community's first jewelry store is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Since 1977, Zak's has maintained its friendly, hometown feel while offering a range of services, including repairs, appraisals, retail sales and custom designs-a recipe for its enduring success.
Four decades ago, Alison Polo's grandfather and father were visiting Southwest Florida from New Jersey-where the family's jewelry store had made a name for itself-and they were told to check out the new, up-and-coming City of Cape Coral. Her grandfather liked the small, close-knit community and saw a wide-open business opportunity in the Cape.
"It's really nice because we still have people who will come in and tell me stories about my grandfather," says Polo, a third-generation Zak's proprietor. "He still lives through the memories of the community."
Since establishing its roots, Zak's has earned several business accolades. It has won Best of Cape Coral 16 times and claimed The News-Press's Best of Cape Coral awards in the Readers' Choice and Fine Jewelry categories this year. The store has been a member of the Cape Coral Chamber for as long as they've been in business, Polo says, adding that it has been helpful with community networking and opened opportunities, such as sponsoring the German-American Club's Octoberfest for 32 years.
To new business owners and entrepreneurs, Polo advises, "Do as much community support as possible, like supporting fundraisers, events and schools, because those are the people who remember it, recognize it, and spread the word."
Find out more: 1314 Cape Coral Pkwy East * Cape Coral * 239-542-7766 *
Zak's Jewelry
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Siesta Pebble Wins Southwest Florida Blue Chip Community Business Award
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Michelle Graham, owner of Siesta Pebble
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Cape Coral-based pool resurfacing company Siesta Pebble earned the 23rd annual Blue Chip Community Business Award on Nov. 2. Owner Michelle Graham was chosen by a panel of judges from 14 applicants, and selected for overcoming personal and professional challenges to foster a successful company that continues to show incredible growth.
"It's a team atmosphere here. The business cards, offices-there are no titles-we are a team. Teamwork makes the dream work. I know it sounds corny, but it's the truth. I can't do my job unless my team's doing their job," says Graham.
Servicing Marco Island to the greater Bradenton area, Siesta Pebble is the only woman-owned company among the 65 licensed and certified Pebble Tec installers nationwide. Graham became responsible for the entire enterprise when her mother, Rhonda Graham, who founded the company, passed away in 2012. "Every day, we wake up and strive by her," says Graham. "When mom died, I felt blocked on many levels. The Cape Coral and Greater Fort Myers Chambers of Commerce put their arms around me and gave me the personal and professional guidance I needed to grow. Challenging, rewarding and trying: It's been all of those wrapped up into one."
Since its founding in 1995, Siesta Pebble has doubled its workforce, grown its fleet from six to 15 trucks, added a prep crew and two pebble crews, and doubled its renovation business. The company has seen unprecedented growth under Michelle Graham's leadership. She serves on several boards, reinforcing the company's commitment to giving back to the community. "It's fun to be part of a supportive community," she says. "When I wake up in the morning, my feet can't hit the floor fast enough so I can get to work."
The annual Blue Chip Community Business Award is sponsored by BB&T-Oswald Trippe and Company.
Learn more about Siesta Pebble:
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"Helping Hands" Kicks Off
Season of Generosity
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Santa, Asher, 5, Marin and Aaron enjoy Team Aubuchon's festive charity fundraising event.
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Team Aubuchon's signature charity event, the 19th Annual Helping Hands for the Holidays, held each year the Monday before Thanksgiving, was a huge success.
This fundraiser benefits three local charities:
-The Make-A-Wish Foundation
-Ronald McDonald House Charities SWFL
-Lee BIA Builders Care
Guests were treated to holiday music from DJ Phil, food and drink donated from 15 local restaurants, a Rockefeller-style Christmas tree and visit from Santa.
Team Aubuchon is on track to exceed 2016's donations of $36,000. The community is thankful for the support of Aubuchon Homes and Miloff Aubuchon Realty Group volunteers, generous donors, local restaurants and all of the participants.
There is still time to donate.
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