Member News

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT REPORTS JUNE TRAFFIC

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Aug. 1, 2022) – During June, 663,141 passengers traveled through Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers. This was a decrease of 21 percent compared to June 2021. Year-to-date, passenger traffic is up 17.6 percent compared to last year.

The traffic leader in June was Delta with 176,915 total passengers. Rounding out the top five airlines were Southwest (127,095), American (122,983), JetBlue (71,428) and United (67,716).

Southwest Florida International Airport had 5,418 aircraft operations, a decrease of 26.5 percent compared to June 2021. Page Field saw 14,284 operations, a 28 percent increase compared to June 2021.

Southwest Florida International Airport served more than 10.3 million passengers in 2021 and is one of the top 50 U.S. airports for passenger traffic. No ad valorem (property) taxes are used for airport operation or construction. For more information, visit flylcpa.com or facebook.com/flyRSW.

outh Florida Newsletter – August 2022

Welcome message to our newly appointed District Director J. Malcom Richards

The South Florida District Office welcomes J. Malcolm Richards as the newly appointed District Director! He will oversee the implementation of SBA’s mission, programs, and services across the 24-county South Florida territory. His commitment and focus will be to increase lending and contracting opportunities for small businesses.

Richards comes to South Florida having served previously as the Director in the North Florida District Office and for 6-years in the Kansas City, Missouri District Office. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience including over 20-years in economic and entrepreneurial development, with a specialization in the needs of underserved and disadvantaged communities.

Prior to his federal experience, Richards worked for three of the nation’s largest commercial banks in leadership and management proles, overseeing small business and commercial lending, investments, and strategic planning. He earned MA and MBA degrees also owned and managed a small business for several years.

We are delighted to welcome Malcolm’s proven leadership and commitment to customer service to our South Florida community!

On July 26th, the SBA announced that the U.S. government awarded 27.2% of federal contract dollars to small businesses in fiscal year 2021 exceeding the 23% statutory goal. That amounts to $154.2B in contracts to small businesses, an $8B increase from FY2020. These achievements, combined with $72B in subprime contracting goals, have supported over 1 million jobs in the American economy.
SBA sets contracting goals for each federal agency and works with government buyers to ensure that they prioritize small businesses. Overall, the federal government earned an “A” on the government-wide Scorecard. Individual agency scorecards were also released in July and a detailed explanation of the methodology is available at SBA.gov.

August 7-13 is National Farmers’ Market Week!
August 7-13 is National Farmers Market Week when local farmers and their contributions to our economy and health are promoted and celebrated for the high-quality the goods they grow and the benefits of organic produce. Farmers markets not only make our nation healthier, but they also give back to the community by providing jobs. Please be sure to go out, support, and #BuyLocal at your favorite farmers market!

Women’s Equality Day is August 26th! We are celebrating with special trainings throughout the month in partnership with the SBA’s Women’s Business Centers located throughout South Florida. These trainings are geared towards women business owners to assist them with access to capital and the SBA’s WOSB government contracting certification.

Federal Contracting Certification: Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB) – Tuesday, August 8th – 11a-12p
The Women Owned Small Business (WOSB) program is designed to help more women owned small businesses to win federal contracts by providing a level playing field for WOSBs to compete. This class provides an overview of the WOSB and EDWOSB Federal Contracting Program as well as eligibility requirements. All small businesses that are interested in submitting an offer on a solicitation that has been set aside for WOSBs under the WOSB Program must complete this certification prior to submitting the offer. This class also covers recent regulatory changes regarding sole source authority and self-certification.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/325950375347

Financial Fundamentals-Profit & Loss Statement (2) – with Kathy Emerson – Tuesday, August 6th – 3-4:30pm
Financial Fundamentals Webinar Series, Part 2: Profit & Loss Statements. SBA will speak about how important these financial management reports are to obtaining SBA business loans or lines of credit with your banking institution.
Register Here: Financial Fundamentals-Profit & Loss Statement (2) – with Kathy Emerson (ecenterdirect.com)

If you live in South Florida, you can email us at [email protected]
Find your located outside HERE

Check out our Website!

SBA South Florida District Office
Miami, Tampa, and Ft. Pierce, Florida
305-536-5521
http://www.SBA.gov/SouthFlorida

All SBA programs and services are provided on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodations will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance

This email was sent to [email protected] by Small Business Administration (SBA) · 409 3rd St, SW · Washington DC 20416 · 1-800-827-5722

CRA Adopts Strategic Plan

At the July 27, 2022 Board of Commissioners meeting, the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) adopted a new strategic plan.

The CRA organized a two-day public workshop on July 21 and July 22, 2022 for the purpose of drafting a strategic plan. The workshop was held at the Riverside Community Center and included representatives from the CRA Board, CRA Advisory Committee, CRA staff and other city staff, and interested citizens. This diverse group of participants worked together at round table seating to prepare the plan. The city live-streamed the program to enable citizens to view the proceedings online. The retreat was facilitated by Dr. Bob Lee, President of Local Government Advisors, Inc. and MPA Program Coordinator/Associate Professor at Florida Gulf Coast University.

During the workshop participants learned details about the CRA structure and administration, CRA initiatives, and current CRA projects. They worked in groups to undergo an assessment of the CRA’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats/challenges (SWOT/C).

Over the two days participants discussing and preparing a vision statement, mission statement, set of core values, and strategic goals for the CRA’s strategic plan.

“It was laudable how all tables of participants worked together to collectively prepare this plan,” said Executive Director, Fort Myers CRA, Michele Hylton-Terry. “We know this plan that will be used throughout the year will help us be a better organization and deliver positive results for our city and community while fostering a positive environment for our staff and board.”

According to Hylton-Terry, the vision statement is an aspirational statement that communicates what the CRA wants to be and be known for in the future. The mission statement is an action statement that communicates how the CRA intends to achieve that vision. The core values are intended to guide all stakeholders in terms of what values they will use in implementing the CRA’s strategic plan, and the strategic goals are broad multi-year initiatives that directly supports the mission statement.

It was recommended that the report be formally presented to the CRA Board at a public meeting where the public will have an opportunity to comment on the contents and language provided for the Vision, Mission, Core Values, and Strategic Goals. A final version will be incorporated into a final strategic plan

In terms of budgeting, CRA staff will be able to develop SMART (Specific, Measurable, Applicable, Realistic, Time-bound) objectives that support each strategic goal provided in the strategic plan.

“The SMART objectives will correlate directly with the revenues and expenses outlined in the budget, giving the reader a clearer understanding on the categories and numbers within the budget,” said Hylton-Terry. “These objectives can also be incorporated into the CRA’s annual employee evaluation process to ensure that employees are focusing their attention on CRA objectives from the annual budget resulting in employees working on matters that have been prioritized to support the CRA’s strategic goals.”

STRATEGIC PLAN FOR CITY OF FORT MYERS COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY:

VISION STATEMENT: A vibrant and prosperous community free of slum and blight.

MISSION STATEMENT: Provide equitable, impactful incentives, while implementing redevelopment plans that enable revitalization and foster engagement and opportunities for stakeholders, using sound fiscal practices and professional staff to improve quality of life for our diverse community.

CORE VALUES: Integrity Respect Excellence Teamwork Curiosity

STRATEGIC GOALS
1. Implement redevelopment plans in a timely and cost-effective manner.
2. Engage stakeholders by marketing and promoting the city’s CRA programs.
3. Adopt sound fiscal practices in the administration of the CRA’s financial decisions.
4. Recruit, train, retain, and competitively compensate professional staff to provide the highest level of service.
5. Provide meaningful and impactful incentives designed to spur development.
6. Create programs or partner with/refer to other agencies to provide training for both continuing education and trades.

Note: Goal # 6 was slightly edited by the Dr. Lee in this rewrite (see bold language that was added) to provide that the CRA will focus on the goal without having to be the actual provider. Remember, one of the CRA weaknesses was having too many priorities.

Contact:
Fort Myers CRA
[email protected]
239-321-7100

Read More

Phyllis R. Calloway, J.D. Promoted to Enterprise Center Director

Dr. Phyllis R. LeFlore-Calloway, J.D. has been promoted to director of the Southwest Florida Enterprise Center (SWFEC).

Since October 2021, Dr. LeFlore-Calloway had served as assistant director for the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and in that capacity she was responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operation at the Southwest Florida Enterprise Center (SWFEC). The SWFEC is one of two divisions of the Community Redevelopment Agency and Executive Director Michele Hylton-Terry will continue to work with Ms. Calloway to ensure that the new incubator curriculum and programming developed over the past year prepares entrepreneurs for success as they both “work in their business” and “work on their business,”

SWFEC is a light industrial business incubator dedicated to assisting start-up or early state businesses. Its programs, workshops and seminars help to educate business owners in a wide range of subjects. The Center also provides businesses a physical location from which to operate with added technical assistance to owners to help them build a strong and long-lasting business. It serves all types of business owners; anyone who can produce a product or deliver a service needed by the growing Southwest Florida market.

SWFEC offers collaborative office space, dedicated teams, mentors, professional advisors, best practices methodologies, with the goal of assisting new businesses the opportunity to launch their dreams in the market without having to expend and over-stretch personal resources.

Contact:
Phyllis R. Calloway, J.D.
Southwest Florida Enterprise Center
3903 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
Fort Myers, FL 33916
[email protected]
239-321-7085

Photo courtesy of Ken Rochon

Read More

First Street Pocket Park: CRA to Negotiate Lease

At their July 27 regular meeting, the CRA Board of Commissioners approved staff moving forward with negotiations to create a pocket park at 2208 First Street with the owner, AMA First Capital LLC.

The property had been home to one of the Downtown’s oldest buildings, which was demolished several years ago. Since the owner has determined that they will not be redeveloping the site in the near future, they are interested in leasing the property to the CRA to be used as a public amenity (pocket park).

Following the negotiated lease, local resident Debra Gillen will provide funds for the park. The CRA will manage the creation and maintenance of the pocket park.
Read More

Preliminary design – not finalized.

Contact:
Fort Myers CRA
[email protected]
239-321-7100

Rendering of future message sign.
Quality Life Center of SWFL
3210 Dr. MLK, Jr. Blvd.
Fort Myers, FL 33916
[email protected]
239-334-2797

Contact (CRA Grants):
Fort Myers CRA
[email protected]
239-321-7100
Commercial Property Grants

Quality Life Center of SWFL
Approved for Commercial Property Improvement Grant

Quality Life Center of Southwest Florida has been approved for a City of Fort Myers Commercial Property Improvement Grant.

The $9,750 grant will be used to fund the replacement of the electronic message center mounted on the northwest corner of the building. The vendor submitting the lowest quote, AdSystems, will provide the new sign. This matching grant will replace the current inoperable sign that cannot be repaired.

Quality Life Center is a non-profit organization providing after-school and summer academic and enrichment programming for at-rish children and youth in grades K-12.

Downtown Planter Project Expanded to River Basin

Commissioners have a approved the addition of decorative planters around the City’s River Basin on Hendry Street and Edwards Drive.

Local resident Debra Gillen has generously provided funding for this extension to the planter box project she funded along First Street.

The First Street planters have brought an added dimension to the historic brick-lined downtown. When the project was first introduced, several meetings were held, including meetings with business owners on First street who caught the vision of creating a unified and cohesive look along the street. Interior PlantScapes installed and regularly maintain the First Street planters, which are holding up well in their five months of enhancement of the downtown streets.

Contact:
Fort Myers CRA
[email protected]
239-321-7100

Learn More

Dr. MLK, Jr. Blvd. Area
Residential Paint Program

A new Residential Paint Program has been approved for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. area to encourage residential single family and 2-unit multifamily owner-occupied homes. The new program will enhance the community, which translates into enhancing the tax base. The CRA’s mission, according to FS 163.335(2), states, “… and that salvageable slum and blighted areas can be considered and rehabilitated through appropriate public action as herein authorized and the cooperation and voluntary action of the owners and tenants of property in such areas.”

This incentive program will be available in the next fiscal year. It will provide up to $5,000 per approved home. Executive Director Hylton-Terry is proposing $100,000 be dedicated to the line item in the Fiscal Year 2023 proposed budget.

Contact:
Fort Myers CRA
[email protected]
239-321-7100
This incentive program allows eligible property owners the opportunity of pressure washing and painting an existing building. CRA staff will curate multiple vendors to perform the work on a rotating basis.

Minimum Criteria:

• The structure must be in the Dr. MLK, Jr. Blvd. redevelopment area.

• The property shall have no existing code violations, and the owner shall not be named in any outstanding enforcement liens.

• Single-family and Duplex owner-occupied homes are eligible.

Learn More

Staybridge Suites
Development Agreement Approved

The development agreement for the Staybridge Suites project has been approved. The hotel will be located at 2465 Second Street in the Downtown redevelopment area.

The project will consist of a five-story, limited service extended-stay facility with a total of 100 rooms. Its quality construction will be similar to the Holiday Inn previously proposed. The Staybridge Suites will include amenities such as kitchenettes, a swimming pool, meeting space, and outside social amenity areas. Ample off-site parking will be available via 71 designated hotel spaces at the southeast corner of Second Street and Royal Palm Avenue, similar to the Holiday Inn proposal.

On June 23, 2021, the CRA Board of Commissioners approved a tax increment rebate request in the not-to-exceed amount of $3.3 million, disbursed at 85% of increment revenue generated each year until the $3.3 million award is satisfied, or until the area sunsets in 2044.

Contact:
Fort Myers CRA
[email protected]
239-321-7100
Read More

Business Spotlight: Aquarium and Reef Center

Aquarium and Reef Center is located at 1920 Boy Scout Drive in the Cleveland Avenue redevelopment area (across from Page Field). They are a marine and freshwater aquarium shop that carries a complete line of aquarium products. Aquarium and Reef Center has been serving Southwest Florida for over 15 years. In addition to their Fort Myers location, they have opened a second location in Cape Coral.

Memorable Points:
• They offer their customers a combined 50+ years of aquarium knowledge.
• They offer a complete line of aquariums, freshwater fish, saltwater fish, corals, anemones, inverts, filters, food, feeders, live plants, live sand, gravel, red sea products, kessils, reptiles, and live feeders.

Online Presence: www.areefcenter.com or
www.facebook.com/AquariumReefCenter

Contact:
Aquarium and Reef Center
1920 Boy Scout Drive
Fort Myers, FL 33904
239-334-4440

Visit our website

Business Spotlight: DanaTyler Home

DanaTyler Home is located at 2279 First Street in the Downtown redevelopment area. They opened May 3, 2022, and offer home décor and furniture, complimentary in-home styling, and color consulting. The owner is Dana Klein and the Fort Myers Store Manager is Rani Florack. The company chose to convert from DanaTyler Jewelry to DanaTyler Home because they felt that it would be a good change of pace for their customers. As a store, they are happy to be located right in the middle of downtown Fort Myers and are excited to serve the customer with whatever they can do to make them happy!

Memorable Points:
• “What keeps us motivated, however, is that we love to help customers find their missing piece to bring everything together.”
–Fort Myers Store Manager Rani Florack

• As they just opened, every few weeks they get new products in. Their customers keep returning to their store to see what’s new, and for their great hospitality.

• This location is the perfect location, located in downtown Fort Myers with a lot of foot traffic.

Online Presence: www.facebook.com/DanaTylerHOME, www.instagram.com/danatylerhome,
Website still in progress

Contact:
DanaTyler Home
2279 First Street
Fort Myers, FL, 33901
239-250-0983

Learn More

Community Events

Grand Opening:
Saturday, July 30, 2022
6 pm – 9 pm

Stacie Krupa Fine Art Gallery
2150 West First Street
Fort Myers, FL 33901
305-942-0614
[email protected]
www.staciekrupa.com

Read More

Stacie Krupa Fine Art
Grand Opening July 30

You are cordially invited to the Grand Opening of Stacie Krupa Fine Art on Saturday, July 30!

Artist and Owner Stacie Krupa, MFA, will offer fine art originals including paintings, drawings, commissions, and murals at her new Downtown Fort Myers River District location.

Informal Open House Meetings
East Fort Myers Revitalization Area
Master Plan Open House
August 3 & 4

Your opinion matters! Plan to attend one of two informal open house meetings at Riverside Community Center, located at 3061 East Riverside Drive, on August 3 & 4.

LaRue Planning is working with the City of Fort Myers Community Development department and the Community Redevelopment Agency to create a new East Fort Myers Master Plan.

Located just east of the Downtown area and north of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. redevelopment area, East Fort Myers is a 1,039 acre (1.62 sq. mile) neighborhood bounded by Billy’s Creek to the south and west, the Caloosahatchee River to the north, and Prospect Avenue (city limits) to the east.

Photo courtesy of Jerry Miller.

East Fort Myers Revitalization Area Master Plan Open House

Wednesday, August 3, 2022
4:30 pm to 7 pm
Thursday, August 4, 2022
2 pm to 5 pm

Riverside Community Center
3061 East Riverside Drive
Fort Myers, FL 33916

Jim LaRue Planning
239-334-3366
[email protected]

More Info

#REDEVELOPMENTWORKS

Stay connected and learn more about your CRA!

Click the Video and the Image Links Below:

The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is an agency of the City of Fort Myers. Office hours: M – F 7:30 PM – 4:30 PM | 1400 Jackson Street, Suite 102, Fort Myers, FL 33901

Sent by [email protected] powered by

Pavese Law’s Day of Caring supports families in need

Firm provides necessities to students as they head back to school

FORT MYERS, Fla. (August 2, 2022) – With soaring prices on everyday items, Pavese Law Firm wants to help local families who are finding it hard to make ends meet. The firm is sponsoring a Day of Caring on August 13, at the United Way School Resource Center in Fort Myers, where the team will pack daily hygiene items needed for Lee County students as they return to school. 

“We understand that increasing prices are straining local families and the added expenses to send children back to school can be extremely difficult for some to manage,” said said Chene Thompson, Co-Managing Partner at Pavese Law. “Children should have everything they need to be set up for success in learning and having our team come together to help those in need can have a tremendous impact on local students.”

United Way’s Days of Caring is a year-round program that connects corporate and community groups with nonprofit agencies in need of assistance. Groups who have participated in United Way Volunteer Center projects report they feel more connected to their community and their group members while working to help people in need. Pavese Law’s Day of Caring will also represent an opportunity for the firm’s families and new attorneys to come together and collaborate while getting to know each other.

“We will be sorting and packing necessities like shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste and other items into bags so they can easily be added to school supplies that have been requested for students by the school’s social worker or counselor,” said Thompson. “It’s a great time for the team to get to know each other outside of the office and it’s a feel-good team effort to support the community.”

Pavese Law Firm has played a significant role in the growth of local businesses, communities and major development projects and has a long history of community support and involvement while providing exceptional legal services to Southwest Florida. For more information, please visit paveselaw.com

About Pavese Law Firm

Pavese Law Firm is a full-service law firm with offices in Fort Myers, Cape Coral and West Palm Beach. The firm provides a broad range of legal services for individuals, families, small businesses and large corporations. Practice areas include agricultural, banking and finance, business and corporate, civil litigation, condominium and homeowners’ association law, construction, employment, environmental and water, estate planning, probate and trusts, marital and family, land use and government, and real estate law. Established in 1949 as a one-person general practice firm, Pavese Law Firm has grown into one of the largest legal practices in Southwest Florida. With a long history of service to Southwest Florida, Pavese Law Firm has played a significant role in the growth of local businesses, communities and major development projects. For more information, visit paveselaw.com.

Join us for our ~

Lunch Dine and Dash Fundraising Event

Tuesday, August 16, 2022
11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at
Arden Courts
ProMedica Memory Care
15950 McGregor Boulevard
Ft. Myers, FL 33908

RSVP with your wrap choice on or prior to Sunday, August 14, 2022
RSVP: 239-454-1277 or [email protected]

Aug. 2, 2022

Florida Keys Lobster Info: KeysLobsterSeason.com
Recreational and commercial spiny lobster season opens Aug. 6

The 2022 recreational and commercial spiny lobster season starts Aug. 6 and runs through March 31, 2023.

Learn more about bag limits, size limits, where to harvest, and other regulations at MyFWC.com/Marine by clicking on “Recreational Regulations” and “Lobster,” which is under the “Crabs, Lobster and other Shellfish” tab. If you plan to lobster in the Keys, another great resource is the Monroe County Tourist Development Council website KeysLobsterSeason.com. Don’t forget to get your license and spiny lobster permit at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.

If you’re looking for an app that lists up-to-date Florida saltwater fishing regulations, you can find them on the Fish Rules app. Learn more at FishRulesApp.com or follow Fish Rules on social at Instagram.com/FishRulesApp or Facebook.com/FishRulesApp.

Be safe when diving for lobster. Wear a life jacket when underway and do not drink and boat. When lobstering in open water, divers should stay within 300 feet of a properly displayed divers-down flag or device and within 100 feet of a properly displayed divers-down flag or device if near an inlet or navigation channel. Boat operators traveling within 300 feet of a divers-down flag or device in open water or within 100 feet of one on an inlet or navigational channel must slow to idle speed. For more information, visit MyFWC.com/Boating, click on “Regulations” and then the “Divers-down Warning Devices” tab.

If bully netting this season, please keep lights directed toward the water and avoid shining them at houses or people along the shoreline. Please also be considerate of others by keeping sound levels low when near shoreline residences.

QUESTIONS? Contact the FWC

Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission · 620 S. Meridian Street · Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600 · (850) 488-4676

Iron Ridge Insurance Services adds Senior Client Advisor

John Knuteson has spent his entire career serving clients in SW Florida

FORT MYERS, Fla. (August 2, 2022) – Iron Ridge Insurance Services welcomes John Knuteson as its new Senior Client Advisor for Personal Lines. The growing agency has more than doubled in the last year-and-a-half, and Knuteson adds experience serving the insurance needs of the Southwest Florida community and expertise in team management and financial analysis to better serve Iron Ridge clients.

“I’m excited to be part of such an outstanding team of professionals and to contribute to the reputation of excellence and professionalism that Iron Ridge is known for,” said Knuteson. “I believe that every client deserves an exceptional level of customer service. Each day, I commit to providing my clients with detailed analysis and honest recommendations as a trusted advisor.”

Since graduating from the University of Wisconsin – Parkside with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Marketing, Knuteson has worked 17 years in financial services, the last seven in personal lines insurance in the Southwest Florida community. At Iron Ridge, he will provide service to personal lines clients in addition to servicing books, managing profiling, quoting, selling, and binding of all incoming new business opportunities for the agency. 

“John has a proven history of excellent client service in the Naples area and will make a great addition to the Iron Ridge family,” said Iron Ridge Insurance Services CEO Norman Lutz. “His experience and the relationships he has built enable him to provide personalized service to meet client’s needs and exceed their expectations.”

For an evaluation of your commercial or personal insurance coverage, contact Iron Ridge Insurance Services at 800-775-8526 or [email protected].

About Iron Ridge Insurance Services

Established in 2011, Iron Ridge Insurance Services is a boutique independent agency headquartered in Fort Myers, Florida that is committed to serving the community by providing innovative commercial insurance solutions. The agency helps clients manage risk through professional liability, management liability, data breach liability, general liability, commercial property, workers’ compensation, and commercial auto insurance programs. Iron Ridge Insurance serves commercial clients in a variety of fields, but specializes in managing risk for architects and engineers, physicians and medical practices, condominium and homeowners’ associations, and legal providers. Iron Ridge was awarded the 2022 SWFL Inc. Small Business of the Year Award and named one of Gulfshore Business magazine’s ‘Best Places to Work.’ The agency also offers competitive personal insurance solutions for individuals and families. For more information call 800-775-8526 or visit www.IronRidgeUS.com.

FWC: Attend a public open house on lake management plans

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is hosting four open houses on the final drafts of the lake management plans for the Harris Chain of Lakes, Kissimmee Chain of Lakes and Lake Okeechobee.

After gathering input and feedback over an 18-month process, FWC staff drafted plans to balance the biological needs of fish and wildlife with the desires of a wide range of stakeholders. To engage the public on the contents of the plans, FWC will be hosting the following four open house public meetings.

• Lake Okeechobee (Okeechobee): Tuesday, Aug. 16, 6-8 p.m. at Okeechobee County Civic Center, 1750 U.S. Highway 98 N, Okeechobee, FL 34972.
• Lake Okeechobee (Clewiston): Wednesday, Aug. 17, 6-8 p.m. at the John Boy Auditorium, 1200 W C Owen Ave., Clewiston FL 33440.
• Harris Chain of Lakes: Thursday, Aug. 18, 6-8 p.m. at the Tavares Community Center, 100 E Caroline St., Tavares, FL 32778.
• Kissimmee Chain of Lakes: Tuesday, Aug. 30, 6-8 p.m. Kissimmee Civic Center, 201 E Dakin Ave., Kissimmee, FL 34741.

Lake Management Plans are comprehensive, covering the FWC’s management of a system’s fish, wildlife and habitats. They are designed to ensure management of fish and wildlife for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people. Plans cover management activities within the FWC’s jurisdiction while providing recommendations to partner agencies on items outside of that jurisdiction, such as water levels and water quality. FWC management activities can include, but are not limited to, habitat protection, restoration and enhancement, fish management, and invasive plant management.

For questions related to the management plans or upcoming open houses, contact Ben Shepherd at [email protected] or 407-971-8850 or visit MyFWC.com/Lake-Plans.

For general waterbody information, fishing forecasts, virtual tours, plant control operation schedules and annual workplans, boat ramp information, and more, visit the “What’s Happening on My Lake” website at MyFWC.com/Lake.

“Kickin’ the Blues Music Festival”

Planned for November 19 in Bonita Springs

BONITA SPRINGS, FLA., August 3, 2022 – Musicians formerly of the rock band Chicago and currently of Earth Wind & Fire will headline a music festival in Bonita Springs that organizers plan to take statewide to benefit mental health and suicide prevention.

“Kickin’ the Blues Music Festival” is planned for Sat., Nov. 19, from 4 p.m.to 9 p.m. at Riverside Park, 10450 Reynolds Street, in Bonita Springs.

Headlining the music festival will be Bill Champlin, Keith Howland and Jeff Coffey, formerly of the hit band Chicago, and John Paris, current member of Earth, Wind & Fire.  They will be performing the music that made the groups famous in the 1970s and 1980s with hits such  as 25 or 6 to 4, Beginnings, Saturday in the Park, Searchin’, Hard Habit to Break, Boogie Wonderland and Fantasy.

Music will be continuous throughout the event with other guest performers slated to appear as well.

The inaugural event is being organized by Grounding Wire, a new non-profit organization, founded by Frances and Bret Borshell, a husband and wife team who want to help those strugglings with anxiety and mental health disorders.

“Mental health issues are impacting the majority of Americans with 70 percent reporting that they have debilitating stress. Suicide is increasing at an alarming rate along with gun violence,” said Frances Borshell.  “There aren’t enough resources to help those in need, especially in Southwest Florida.”

Florida has long maintained one of the lowest per capita mental health expenditures in the nation.  According to the most recent data from Florida State University, Florida has a per capita mental health services expenditure of $37.28, giving it a rank of 49^th for mental health funding in the U.S.

Mental Health of America recently ranked Florida 48^th nationwide on access to mental health care.  It specifically noted that 633,000 Florida adults with mental illness and 116,000 youth with depression had unmet treatment needs.

Funds raised from the concert will be used to provide mental health toolkits to schools and individuals in need.  The kits include guidance for active breathing, present mind awareness, and meditation, along with access to resources such as interactive content, videos, educational information, and other helpful digital content provided by mental health experts.

Borshell said music is a wonderful coping mechanism for individuals with mental health concerns so a concert was a logical way to provide resources while listening to great artists.

In addition to music, the festival will include mental health providers who can provide information about mental health resources available.  Food trucks, beer, wine and healthy beverages also will be available for sale.  A meditation station also will be provided.

Tickets are $25 for general admission and $65 for VIP admission.  Tickets can be purchased at www.groundingwire.org

Sponsorships also are available from $500 to $45,000. For more information about sponsorships, please email [email protected].

CFS ROOFING MAKES MAJOR GIFT

TO VALERIE’S HOUSE NEW FOREVER HOME

FORT MYERS, FLA., July 26, 2022 – The new “Forever Home” of Valerie’s House under construction on Shoemaker Lane will have a free roof, thanks to a donation in part by CFS Roofing Services.

CFS Roofing President David Crowther and his wife Karen have stepped up and agreed to provide the underlayment and labor to install the shingle and metal roof for the 7,000 – square-foot building.  Shingles for the roof will be provided at no cost by GAF & ABC Roofing. The CFS gift is valued at $15,000.

“Our success provides an opportunity for CFS and its employees to give back to organizations like Valerie’s House through money, skills and time,” Crowther said.

After 30 years in the family business, David Crowther stepped out on his own to open CFS Roofing Services in 2010.  The company is a full service, licensed and insured roofing and sheet metal contractor for both residential and commercial construction in addition to a full service mechanical division.

Recent projects include Cypress Cove at HealthPark in Fort Myers, Cape Coral Fire Station, the new GGG High School in Naples, and the Historic Punta Gorda Train Depot, to name just a few.

“We are so thankful that David and CFS Roofing have joined our family of donors.  Valerie’s House exists because of the generosity of CFS Roofing and so many others who have made our dream a reality,” said Valerie’s House Founder and CEO Angela Melvin. “This home will always be a place for grieving families to call their own. Regardless of what happens in the future, having this home means no child will ever have to grieve alone in our community.”

A total of $2.5 million has been raised toward the $3 million cost of the new home.   Several room sponsorship opportunities for the community are available.

The home is a cozy, warm, old Florida style structure, with special rooms like a volcano room, which allows children to work out any anger or other emotions they have because of their loss.  The facility will allow Valerie’s House to help more children and provide wrap-around services, such as individual grief counseling to support families who desperately need it.

Lennar Homes is acting as the project manager for the construction of the home, which is expected to be completed by mid-2023.

Valerie’s House has helped more than 2,000 children and their families since its founding in 2016 by Angela Melvin, whose own mother was killed in a car accident in 1987.

One in seven children in Florida is predicted to lose a parent or sibling before the age of 25, according to the 2022 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model.

Valerie’s House currently offers peer support groups and other activities at locations in Fort Myers, Naples, Punta Gorda, and Port Charlotte. Valerie’s House is a United Way partner agency and is fully supported by community donations.

For more information about Valerie’s House or to make a donation to the Forever Home Campaign, visit www.valerieshouseswfl.org/capital-campaign, call 239-478-6734, or write [email protected].

About Valerie’s House

Valerie’s House opened in January 2016 and has served more than 2,000 children and their families from Lee, Collier, Charlotte, and Hendry counties. The organization provides a safe, comfortable place for children to share, grieve and heal together following the death of a close family member. Valerie’s House has three locations: 1762 Fowler St. in downtown Fort Myers, 819 Myrtle Terrace in Naples and group therapy meetings at several churches in Charlotte County.  For more information, visit www.valerieshouse.org