Fort Myers has been named the second-best small city to start a business, according to WalletHub.
WalletHub says there’s been a 22% increase in new businesses since 2016, fueled by strong investor presence and support from local development agencies.
Swamp Cat Brewing Company opened its doors in March. Chris Guiterrez’s wife created a Florida-inspired aesthetic for the space, in a building that used to be a church.
Guiterrez tells me the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency was instrumental in starting his business.
“They provided us with some grant funding to improve the facade in the outdoor area, so we couldn’t have done it without them,” Guiterrez said.