This monthly newsletter is produced in effort to keep you better informed and engaged about the work of your Fort Myers CRA.
Our Home Sweet Home Parking Initiative Debuts

These are the faces of Downtown Fort Myers. They're our friends and our neighbors and they are open for business! FREE PARKING for patrons of downtown businesses. June 15 - September 30, 2020 Monday - Thursday, beginning at 4 p.m. City parking garages located at: City of Palms Garage: 2118 Bay Street of Main Street Garage: 2286 Main Street.
Cleveland Avenue Incentives

These incentive programs are available to commercial property owners located:

  • Landscape/Façade Matching Grant
  • Nutrient Bank Credits
  • Paint & Signage - Commercial Property Matching Grant Program
  • TIF Rebate
Lee CARES Small Business Relaunch Grant

English: APPLY NOW: Program ends 5 p.m. on Friday, June 26, 2020. The Lee CARES Small Business Relaunch Grant offers emergency relief to small businesses facing serious financi al loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of these funds is to provide temporary financial relief to those most impacted by the pandemic and resulting busi ness closures.

Español: APLICA AHORA: el programa finaliza a las 5 p.m. el viernes 26 de junio de 2020. La subvención de relanzamiento de pequeñas empresas de Lee CARES ofrece ayuda de emergencia a las pequeñas empresas que enfrentan serias pérdidas financieras debido a la pandemia de COVID-19. El objetivo de estos fondos es proporcionar ayuda financiera temporal a los más afectados por la pandemia y los cierres de negocios resultantes.
Business Spotlight: First Street Executive Suites
First Street Executive Suites, located at 2256 First Street, opened downtown this year. They provide fully-furnished office space for rent, as well as virtual offices.
Urban Community Farm Update

Progress is being made on the Urban Community Farm in the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. redevelopment area! In order to make this a true community garden, is currently working on creating a physical space for community members to join them in learning about gardening, fresh recipes, and healthy skills that can be translated into their daily lives.
Business Spotlight: Futral's Feed Store
Futral's Feed Store, located at 3371 Palm Beach Boulevard, is a legacy business which has been operating in Fort Myers since 1944. They are a dealer of quality animal feeds and supplies.
Tax Increment Financing Guidelines Updated

Guidelines for the CRA's Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Program have been updated to include criteria for applicants to achieve increment revenue in addition to the standard 50% increment amount. Criteria options include affordable housing, minority business enterprise, 5% donation of received TIF to a non-for-profit community organization, and out of the box ideas.
Enterprise Center Reopens with New COVID-19 Protocols

Southwest Florida Enterprise Center will reopen all of its public spaces in accordance with Florida's re-opening order. Deep cleaning, a social distancing plan, and ordering supplies for safe hygiene are protocols implemented in advance of opening day.
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) "Next Steps" Webinar

The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, published a revised, borrower-friendly Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness application implementing the PPP Flexibility Act of 2020 on June 17. Join the South Florida District Office as we explore the next steps in the PPP process.

Thursday, June 25 1pm – 2pm Click here register on Eventbrite.

Friday, June 26 3pm – 4pm Click here register on Eventbrite.
 
Click  here   to view the EZ Forgiveness Application .

Click  here  to view the Full Forgiveness Application .
2020 Census

Make a difference in Fort Myers by completing your 2020 Census.

Participating in the Census every 10 years ensures that Southwest Florida receives its share of federal funding. One example is the $134 million of COVID-19 relief that Lee County through the CARES Act.
#RE DEVELOPMENT WORKS