Author Archives: FRAstaff

With FCLF and NMTC Financing, Agape Network will expand its services in Miami-Dade at the Agape Village Health Center

Florida Community Loan Fund has finalized closing on New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) financing for the Agape Village Health Center. FCLF provided $21 million in NMTC allocation for the new $34.8 million campus in Miami’s Goulds neighborhood, expanding the reach of Agape Network to serve nearly 12,000 annually from one location. The new multi-building 40,000 square-foot campus will include a health…

Growing Food Scene Puts Punta Gorda on the Map

Given its name, I assumed the restaurant was a tribute to Ernest Hemingway. That seemed like a reasonable assumption since so many bars and restaurants claim some connection to one of the greatest authors in the American literary canon. Think Havana’s La Floridita, his eponymous bar at The Ritz in Paris, and Sloppy Joe’s in…

CRA Approves The Irving for $4 Million Tax Increment Rebate – FORT MYERS

FORT MYERS, Fla. (November 6, 2021) — The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) recently approved a tax increment rebate and development agreement for The Irving in downtown Fort Myers. The CRA approved a tax increment rebate in the not-to-exceed amount of $4 million for 2401 Bay Street, LLC disbursed at 85 percent of increment revenue generated each…

CRA Approves $20,000 for Incubation Program – Fort Myers

FORT MYERS, Fla. (November 5, 2021) — The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) recently approved an amount not to exceed $20,000 for the SWFL Enterprise Center (SWFEC) Incubation Program. The funds will be used to engage Dr. Peter Oscody of PreneurDomain to develop an incubation program for the SWFEC. The SWFEC currently runs various trainings for…

Publication of EDR’s 2021 Local Government Financial Information Handbook

The Florida Legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research (EDR) has published the 2021 edition of the Local Government Financial Information Handbook.  This report is produced annually by EDR to serve as a reference for many of the revenue sources available to local governments.  It contains items useful for local government budgeting purposes, including descriptions of…

City of Winter Garden Launches Living Local Campaign and Fall & Winter Event Calendar

The City of Winter Garden just launched a “Living Local” campaign to encourage local participation and support of one’s hometown. The campaign includes events and initiatives to urge community involvement and patronage of local, small businesses. The campaign will run fall 2021-spring 2022. The “Living Local” campaign immediately follows the previous yearlong “Love Local” campaign…