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Economic Yearbook 2006 - Southwest Florida
Rich County, Poor County
It's a tale of two worlds across the 10-county region of Southwest Florida.
Collier County
March Performance, a Michigan-based auto parts manufacturer that is growing 25% a year and employs between 50 and 60, is moving into its recently completed 40,000-sq.-ft. facility in North Naples.
Fort Myers
Of the half-million people living in Lee County, more than 61,000 call Fort Myers home, and the number is growing. "It really becomes evident when you start looking at the growth in our school system," says Regina Smith, executive director of the Lee County Economic Development Office. The system adds between 5,000 and 6,000 students a year, she says, compared to about 3,000 only a few years ago. ... Driven by tourism, retail and construction, job growth hit 9.3% between 2004 and 2005, making Lee County the second-fastest growing job market in the nation behind Pasco County. ... Some 3,200 units in 10 separate high-rise complexes came online in downtown Fort Myers within the past two years. ... Cameratta Properties breaks ground this spring on its $270-million First Street Village, which will include a Publix supermarket and additional retailers. ... To accommodate growth, the city has kicked off its so-called "streetscape" project to put down new sidewalks, crosswalks and additional parking.
Key Newcomer
? Lisa Sparks, a Philadelphia native who for four years ran a home-based business in Cape Coral, was recently named a certified business analyst with the Small Business Development Center at Florida Gulf Coast University. Sparks works with Cape Coral's economic development office to promote small and home-based businesses in Cape Coral.
Lee County
Dawning Technologies, a company that develops interfacing equipment for clinical labs, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, relocated from Fairport, N.Y., to Fort Myers, bringing 23 jobs.
Charlotte County
As new CEO of the United Way in Charlotte County, Pennsylvania transplant Cecy Glenn has plenty to keep her busy as she helps residents rebuild after Hurricane Charley in 2004. She previously served as executive director of United Way of Southern Chester County in Pennsylvania but relocated to the area last year to live closer to her daughter and son-in-law.
De Soto, Highlands, Hardee Counties
All three counties are still recovering from the effects of Hurricane Charley almost two years ago. Despite sustaining $2 million in damage from the Category 4 storm, Wal-Mart completed its 800,000-sq.-ft. distribution facility in Arcadia last year, creating 450 jobs for residents of rural De Soto County.
