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…
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…
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…
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…
The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) announces a Revolving Housing Loan Program available in the Cleveland Avenue and Dr. MLK, Jr. Blvd. redevelopment areas. The fund is to be used exclusively for the purpose of supporting developers seeking to construct housing targeting individuals that make 100 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) or…
Nearly half of that cash will go to projects helping to clean up the Indian River Lagoon. Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) are sending $114 million to help fund wastewater treatment efforts and improve water quality across the state. The grants come courtesy of the Wastewater Grant Program, which was created as…
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…
In the aftermath of Hurricane Michael in 2018, the Old Bank Clock that once hung at the corner of Harrison Avenue and Beach Drive, and later at Harrison and Seventh, was badly damaged. It had been the icon of the downtown business district since 1926, when it was installed on the First National Bank building…
A collection of murals across indoor and outdoor spaces in Ocala have slowly changed the landscape of the city’s public art scene. Multiple city officials, including City Manager Sandra Wilson, have consistently praised the efforts of local cultural arts organizations, artists, businesses, and city staff to beautify Ocala’s public spaces. To that end, no space…
FORT MYERS, Fla. (Aug. 30, 2021) – The Lee County Black History Society has officially kicked off a capital campaign to raise $22 million for a Black Culture Center at Clemente Park in Dunbar. As part of the City of Fort Myers’ comprehensive plan for Clemente Park, residents have expressed their desire for the…
The Florida League of Cities announced a change of command Wednesday, including a newly elected president and two officers. Lakeland Commissioner Phillip Walker will serve as the League’s president. Walker, a former police officer, was first elected to the Lakeland City Commission in 2010. Among other affiliations, he is an immediate past president of the Florida Black…
The City of Homestead Community Redevelopment Agency (HCRA) wants to help local businesses and entrepreneurs grow their dreams and find their perfect match at the Small Business Matchmaker on Wednesday, September 29, 2021 from 10am until 5pm at the Phichol Williams Community Center, 951 SW 4th Street, Homestead, FL. Attendees will learn about grant opportunities,…
