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Candlewood Suites Fort Myers | 9740 Commerce Center Ct., Fort Myers, FL 33908
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COVID-19 Economic Aid Overview Webinar

Tuesday, July 13
11am – 12pm EST
Online: Click here to join the Microsoft Teams event.
Call-in: 202-765-1264, ID 903515768#

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Forgiveness Webinar

Tuesday, July 13
1pm – 2pm EST
Online: Click here to join the Microsoft Teams event.
Dial-in: 202-765-1264, ID 185864452#

SBA South Florida District Q& A Session

Tuesday, July 13
2pm – 3pm EST
Online: Click here to join the Microsoft Teams event.
Dial-in: 202-765-1264, ID 177893159#

July 9, 2021
Florida Python Challenge® kicks of today; with new $10,000 award
The Florida Python Challenge® kicks off today and this year participants have a shot at winning $10,000! To date, more than 450 people have signed up to for the competition to remove invasive Burmese pythons from the one-of-a-kind Everglades ecosystem.
Under the leadership of Gov. Ron DeSantis, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), South Florida Water Management District and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida host the Florida Python Challenge® to increase awareness about invasive species and the threats they pose to Florida’s ecology. The annual competition encourages people to get directly involved in Everglades conservation through invasive species removal.
Participants in both the Professional and Novice categories can win prizes for removing the most and longest Burmese pythons. The $10,000 Ultimate Grand Prize will be awarded to the eligible participant who removes the most pythons as part of the 10-day competition courtesy of Virtual Business Services.
People interested in competing can still register through the last day of the competition, July 18 at FLPythonChallenge.org. There is a $25 registration fee and participants must complete a free online training to compete.
“The kickoff of the Python Challenge is a momentous occasion. Thanks to our partners, our sponsor and, of course, the leadership of Gov. Ron DeSantis for his dedication. He has spent a great deal of resources on improving the environment and the removal of invasive species like the Burmese python. We will continue to carry the torch of Everglades conservation so that future generations can enjoy this amazing ecosystem,” said FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto.
“Gov. Ron DeSantis directed the South Florida Water Management District and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to expand efforts to remove invasive pythons and protect Florida’s Everglades. This Python Challenge is one of the more unique ways we are stepping up our efforts to battle these invasive pythons as well as engaging the public to help us in this fight. With the public’s help during this Challenge, we can continue to make progress against these pythons and we can continue to make the Everglades a healthier ecosystem now and for future generations,” said SFWMD Governing Board Member “Alligator Ron” Bergeron.
Visit FLPythonChallenge.org to register for the competition, take the online training, learn more about Burmese pythons and the unique Everglades ecosystem, and find resources for planning your trip to south Florida to participate in the Florida Python Challenge®.
Burmese pythons are not native to Florida and negatively impact native species. They are found primarily in and around the Everglades ecosystem in south Florida where they prey on birds, mammals and other reptiles. A female Burmese python can lay 50 to 100 eggs at a time. Since 2000, more than 13,000 Burmese pythons have been removed from the state of Florida. For more information on Burmese pythons, visit MyFWC.com/Python.
The Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the FWC and other public and private partners to conserve Florida’s native animals and plants, and the lands and waters they need to survive. Since its founding in 1994, the Foundation has raised and donated $50 million to conservation and outdoor recreation and education. More information can be found at WildlifeFlorida.org.
 

SFWMD Activates Faka Union Pumps at Picayune Strand State Forest in Southwest Florida
After years of restoration efforts, significant ecological benefit to come thanks to work completed by SFWMD and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
SFWMD Governing Board Member Charlette Roman activates the Faka Union Pumps
The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) reached a major milestone for the Picayune Strand Restoration Project in unincorporated Collier County and began using the Faka Union Pump Station for the first time last week. This pump station, coupled with other restoration activities, works to rehydrate drained wetlands in the Picayune Strand State Forest and restore the area’s natural sheet flow.
“In the 1960s, a developer dug canals to drain the land and constructed miles of shell-rock roads, destroying the natural habitat,” said SFWMD Governing Board Member Charlette Roman. “Under the direction of Gov. Ron DeSantis to expedite Everglades restoration, the water management district has worked with its partner, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to expedite the filling of some of those canals. Now we can restore the hydration and ecosystem of this beautiful natural treasure.”
This past dry season, the USACE completed the backfilling of 3.3 miles of canals in the north central region of Picayune Strand. Now, with sufficient water supply from the region, SFWMD is using the Faka Union Pump Station for the first time ever to pump up to 2,650 cubic feet per second (cfs) of water into a large spreader basin. The basin fills up and allows water to flow naturally through the area and restore its natural state of hydration.
Rehydration of these wetlands supports wildlife habitat, water quality improvements, and overall ecosystem restoration efforts in the region. SFWMD has been working with the USACE for years on the Picayune Strand Restoration Project, which is part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).
In the 1960s, more than 85 square miles of wetlands in western Collier County was drained for a failed real estate development called Southern Golden Gate Estates. Road construction and canal excavations severely impacted the area, reducing aquifer storage, increasing freshwater discharges to estuaries in the Ten Thousand Islands, disrupting native plant communities, and increasing the frequency of wildfires.
The Picayune Strand Restoration Project restores surface water flow to these vital wetlands and supports numerous environmental benefits including:
• Restored and enhanced habitat for fish and wildlife;
• Reduced drainage of adjacent sensitive ecosystems;
• Improved aquifer recharge to protect underground water supplies and
prevent saltwater intrusion;
• Reduced freshwater releases/improved health of downstream estuaries; and
• Increased recreational opportunities
The Picayune Strand Restoration Project is a partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and is expected to be completed by 2025. The restoration effort is one of dozens of projects Gov. DeSantis directed SFWMD and its partners to expedite with his Achieving More Now For Florida’s Environment Executive Order as soon as he took office in 2019.
The South Florida Water Management District is a regional governmental agency that manages the water resources in the southern part of the state. It is the oldest and largest of the state’s five water management districts. Our mission is to safeguard and restore South Florida’s water resources and ecosystems, protect our communities from flooding, and meet the region’s water needs while connecting with the public and stakeholders.

Wednesday, July 14, 2021
11:00 am to 12:30 pm EST

The SBA South Florida District is hosting a Drive 8(a) recruitment events during the month of July to help entrepreneurs understand how to sell their goods and services to the federal government. 

Each year the federal government’s goal is to award at least five percent of all federal contracting dollars to small disadvantaged businesses through the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program. If accepted into the SBA’s 8(a) program, these social and economically disadvantaged businesses will receive nine years of business development assistance and will also be able to compete for federal contracting dollars by selling their goods and services to the federal government.  

Drive 8(a) Recruitment events are used to educate potential applicants on the SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program. During these events, experts from the SBA will share information on its 8a Federal Contracting Program, what it takes to qualify and eligibility requirements.

REGISTER: 8(a) Federal Contracting Certification (Eventbrite)

(Fort Myers) – The Temptations and The Four Tops return to the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW on Friday, December 3, 2021 at 7PM. Tickets go on sale Friday, July 9 at 10AM at the Box Office online at www.bbmannpah.com or call (239) 481-4849.
 
 
 

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (July 7, 2021) – A Southwest Florida company, Energy Harness Corporation, is making serious waves in the fight against COVID-19 and other airborne pathogens. Thanks to the assistance of graduates and students at nearby Florida Gulf Coast University, the company’s Active Airflow UV-C fixture has proven itself to be 99.998% effective in eliminating COVID, E. coli, and other deadly pathogens.
The partnership between Energy Harness and the university materialized in fall 2020, after the Florida-based LED manufacturer hired an FGCU bioengineering graduate as a product engineer. That graduate, Nicholas Metro, had gained invaluable experience as a student in the FGCU bioengineering laboratory. As Energy Harness sought options for testing its new Active Airflow fixture, Metro recommended the FGCU lab.
“We were confident that our fixture could destroy pathogens by exposing them to UV light, but we needed to validate it,” explains Peter Lehrer, senior vice president of project development at Energy Harness. “FGCU’s bioengineering students built the test rig, cultured the E. coli bacteria, and tested it at different distances, intensities, times, and levels. It really helped us to solidify the final piece of the puzzle.”
Dr. Chris Geiger, associate professor at FGCU’s U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering and chairperson of the Department of Bioengineering, says that experiences like this are invaluable to students. “It’s hard to replicate the ups and downs associated with research in a classroom environment,” Geiger explains. “Any time you have the opportunity to take theory and put it into practice, there’s value for our students. We didn’t know what the results would be going into this experiment. Having research collaborations for these experiential learning opportunities provides valuable real-world experience.”
While FGCU students were testing the Active Airflow technology against bacterial contamination, the device was also being tested on live SARS-CoV-2 by KR Biotech, a university affiliated research center focused on the development of preventive vaccines and treatments for infectious diseases. In both cases, the laboratory tests revealed that Energy Harness’ technology can effectively kill 99.998% of novel coronavirus and other deadly pathogens in just one second of exposure.
“The FGCU results are especially important because E. coli is used as a surrogate for testing other pathogens,” says Michael Fischer, president of Energy Harness Corporation. “When something can severely damage or eliminate E. coli, it can do the same for other, more insidious, bacteria and viruses.”
In addition to its efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 and E. coli, Energy Harness’ Active Airflow UV-C technology is proven to be more than 99.9% effective in eliminating other harmful pathogens such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, and influenza. With epidemiologists predicting an increase in worldwide viral outbreaks, the Active Airflow UV-C Fixture will be essential in confronting future pandemics, as well as combatting the more common ‘bug that’s going around the office.’
Energy Harness has deployed Active Airflow units in schools, hospitals, outpatient centers, libraries, and offices across the nation. The fixture is safe, quiet, and is easily placed in a drop ceiling or wall-mounted, making it convenient to install in public spaces of any size or type. The fixture is available for distribution across North America.
For more information on purchasing, or to become a distributor, contact Energy Harness by calling 239-677-4150, emailing [email protected] or by visiting energyharness.com/UVC.
About Energy Harness Corporation
Established in 2010, Energy Harness Corporation specializes in the manufacturing, sales and nationwide distribution of high-quality commercial LED solutions. Combining a wide range of products and technical expertise, Energy Harness creates the brightest innovations in LED lighting and products that provide safety and security while reducing energy use and maintenance costs. More information is available at energyharness.com.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (July 8, 2021) – Manufacturers across the state are facing supply chain delays, workforce shortages, inflation and other challenges as they attempt to return to business as usual after a year of pivoting and pandemic. Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association (SRMA) will host a LIVE Manufacturer Mastermind Summit for manufacturers-only at FGCU on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, from 8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Top manufacturers will be selected to lead the discussion and manufacturers large and small across the state are invited to take part in the conversation.
“Our goal is to create an environment where manufacturers can freely discuss challenges, solutions and milestones over this past year,” says SRMA Executive Director Rob Harris. “There is a great deal that manufacturers can learn from one another.”
There is no charge to attend the Manufacturer Mastermind Summit, generously sponsored by S4J Manufacturing Services, Inc. Light refreshments will be provided. Online registration is required as space will be limited. The event will take place on the campus of Florida Gulf Coast University in the Lutgert College of Business, Room 2201. To register for the event or for more information about the Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association, visit srma.net, call 941-730-7903 or email [email protected].
About the Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association
The purpose and objective of the Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association is to bring together manufacturers to encourage the economic development of Southwest Florida through manufacturing, and to act as a forum for the expression and exchange of ideas and information among its members. The SRMA provides an advocacy platform for the general welfare of its members in the face of economic, civic and educational challenges. It encourages cooperation, information sharing and mutual aid, fostering social relationships and community involvement. Visit srma.net for more information or to become a member or sponsor.

For immediate release: July 8, 2021
Contact: Amanda Nalley, 850-404-6100 or [email protected]
Suggested Tweet: SW Florida #bluecrab trap closure starts July 10 @MyFWC: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLFFWCC/bulletins/2e75244 #Florida
Southwest Florida blue crab trap closure starts July 10
Recreational and commercial blue crab traps in state waters from the Palm Beach-Broward county line to the Pasco-Hernando county line must be removed from the water before July 10, the first day of a 10-day trap closure. This closure will give groups authorized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) the opportunity to identify and retrieve lost and abandoned blue crab traps from the water.
Traps may be placed back in the water in this area starting on July 20. Until then, blue crabs may be harvested with other gear, such as dip nets and fold-up traps. Blue crab harvesters may also use standard blue crab traps during the closure if the traps are attached to a dock or other private property.
Closures may be reduced in duration if it is determined the number of lost and abandoned traps in the region will take less time to remove.
Lost and abandoned blue crab traps are a problem in the blue crab fishery because they can continue to trap crabs and fish when left in the water. They can also be unsightly in the marine environment, damage sensitive habitats and pose navigational hazards to boaters.
The closure is one of three regional, 10-day blue crab trap closures for 2021. There are six regional closures total: three in even-numbered years on the east coast and three in odd-numbered years on the Gulf coast and in south Florida.
While state waters extend to 9 nautical miles offshore in the Gulf, the blue crab trap closures include only state waters extending to 3 nautical miles offshore on both coasts.
More information regarding the FWC’s trap-retrieval program, blue crab trap closure dates, regulations and cleanup events is available online at MyFWC.com/Marine (click on “Trap and Debris”). For additional information, contact the FWC’s trap retrieval coordinator, Pamela Gruver, at 850-487-0554.
 

Just released! FWC’s 2021-2022 manatee and sea turtle decals
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) just released the new 2021-2022 manatee and sea turtle decals. These high-quality waterproof stickers feature two different designs and are a fun way for people to directly support research, rescue and management efforts that conserve these species and spread awareness about the challenges they face.
Each July, the FWC introduces new manatee and sea turtle decals that are available with a $5 donation. The designs look good on a vehicle’s bumper or the side of a boat, and you can also stick them on laptops, water bottles and coolers. Get yours online or when registering or re-registering a vehicle or boat at local tax collector’s offices across the state.
“Purchasing a manatee or sea turtle decal and displaying it is a simple way to make a difference for some of Florida’s most iconic, imperiled species.” said Ron Mezich, section leader of the FWC’s Imperiled Species Management Section. “The financial support directly contributes to their conservation and displaying it for others to see also helps raise awareness.”
Manatees and sea turtles depend on Florida’s waterways and coastal habitats. Therefore, preserving Florida’s beaches and aquatic ecosystems is a crucial component of species conservation.
These collectable decals help fund manatee and sea turtle conservation efforts and raise awareness about the species and their habitats. For example, when someone calls the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) to report an injured, entangled, or sick manatee or sea turtle, FWC staff work with partners to rescue, rehab and release these animals in need.
The decal themes highlight important conservation issues, such as manatee-safe boating and keeping our waterways clean. This year’s themes include:

• “Go slow – Look out below!” This message encourages safe boating around manatees, what to look for while on the water and shows others that you support Florida’s manatee conservation efforts.
• “Protect Florida Sea Turtles” shows a leatherback sea turtle swimming among jellyfish. Leatherbacks are true oceanic travelers in the sea turtle world and need your help in keeping our waterways clean so they can keep swimming long distances.

Learn more about how to help conserve manatees and sea turtles at MyFWC.com/Manatee and MyFWC.com/SeaTurtle. Select the “Decals” link to order new or past editions of decals. You can also support these species by purchasing a “Save the Manatee” or a “Helping Sea Turtles Survive” license plate at your local Tax Collector’s office. For additional information about how to get involved, visit the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida’s website at widlifeflorida.org.