Pro-Growth Attitude

Gary B. Shepherd | 10/1/2007

Two world-class golf courses designed by PGA legends take center stage at the TwinEagles community in Naples. [Photo: Bonita Bay Group]

Southwest Florida, which includes three metropolitan statistical areas — Cape Coral-Fort Myers (Lee County), Punta Gorda (Charlotte County) and Naples-Marco Island (Collier County) — has been earning accolades for close to 100 years. As early as 1914, the region’s first celebrity resident noted the superb lifestyle. “There’s only one Fort Myers, and 90 million people are going to find it out,” said inventor and American icon Thomas Edison. And find it out they have. The population of this region has swelled to 1.04 million, and in 2006, Expansion Management ranked the upscale Naples-Marco Island MSA number 3 in the U.S. for overall standard of living.

A solid workforce, excellent infrastructure, superior educational options and pro-growth government units combine to create a welcoming business climate in Southwest Florida. This region is truly international, with a heavy contingent of overseas visitors and more than 30 foreign-affiliated companies. Additionally, 600+ technology businesses call Southwest Florida home.

Choice Location

Florida’s Southwest encompasses more than 100 miles of exquisite Gulf beachfront. Some of the world’s best shelling can be found on the renowned resort islands of Sanibel and Captiva, just off Fort Myers. And the sunny, subtropical climate spawns boating, fishing, golfing, tennis and other outdoor activities year-round. The National Golf Foundation ranks Lee County, with its more than 50 golf courses, 5th in the U.S. for golfer-to-holes ratio.

In This Region: Major Public Firms

• Bonita Springs-based homebuilder WCI Communities
• Magazine distributor Source Interlink (which in 2007 spent $1.2 billion to buy the publishing firm responsible for Hot Rod and Motor Trend magazines), also in Bonita Springs
• Women’s clothier Chico’s FAS of Fort Myers
• Health Management Associates, a Naples-based owner of 8,500 hospital beds in 15 states. Sixteen HMA hospitals are in Florida, including five in the Southwest region
  

Fastest Growing MSAs in the U.S. 3rd — Cape Coral-Fort Myers Population up 29.6% (Between 2000 and 2006) 7th — Naples-Marco Island Population up 25.2% (Between 2000 and 2006) $49k — Average annual income of Naples-Marco Island, making it one of the state’s wealthiest MSAs.

Tags: Southwest, Business Florida