THE FLORIDA TOURIST season surged in the first quarter of 2022, encouraging state and local tourism industry officials and businesses to envision a rosier future, while keeping a careful eye on the caveats that could keep that from happening. Numbers of visitors and other tourism metrics have taken great strides since the bottom fell out…
After receiving rezoning approval on June 21 from Fort Myers City Council, The Irving Downtown has released a new rendering for an updated plan increasing the number of stories and units of the upcoming eco-friendly, pet-friendly rental community in downtown Fort Myers’ historic River District. “Rezoning the area from ‘Urban Center’ to ‘Urban Core’ allows…
Beginning in February, the boat ramps, Captain Ed Lanni T-Dock, day slips and boat parking at Lee Wenner Park were closed for a large dredging and restoration project which was funded through grants from the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND). The project included dredging of the boat ramps to allow for larger vessels to access…
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Mayor John Dailey, Florida A & M University president Dr. Larry Robinson, city leaders and community members met to unveil a new historical marker Saturday. Located just behind FAMU’s campus at the corner of Bronough and Jakes-and-Patterson Streets, the marker honors Willie and Carrie T. Pittman. Read the full article
As library services evolve, new library buildings that can facilitate those new services are a common wishlist item. Actually getting those new buildings can be a complicated process, however. A panel described their experiences opening new library buildings in “Everybody Wants a New Library: Planning, Funding, and Constructing Inspiring Spaces,” a June 25 session at…
Located between St. Petersburg and Pinellas Park, the unincorporated area known as Lealman is undergoing drastic changes and experiencing rapid growth. Long considered an underserved community and identified as the Lealman Community Redevelopment Area (CRA), Pinellas County officials are investing a substantial amount of time and funding to make Lealman more attractive to residents and…
The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority will study public transportation improvement in south St. Petersburg, an area marked by poor transit connections but high public transit reliance, after receiving federal government funding. The Federal Transit Administration announced this week that it has doled out approximately $16.2 million to fund 40 projects in 32 states. Among them…
PLANNING FOR ECONOMIC RECOVERY Created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the International City/County Managers Association (ICMA), and the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). This four-hour, in-person training course is designed to give participants the knowledge they need to strengthen their communities for economic resilience and recovery. Central topics include: • Capacity building for economic…
For Immediate Release: June 24, 2022 Contact: Governor’s Press Office, (850) 717-9282, communications@eog.myflorida.com Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Thirty Three Bills and Vetoes Five Bills TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis signed the following bills: SB 620: View full bill information here Local Business Protection Act: Citing this act as the “Local Business Protection Act”; authorizing certain businesses to claim…
Downtown Fort Myers’ arduous 40-year climb from a scene of boarded-up storefronts and deserted streets to a destination dotted with restaurants, hotels, apartments and condos is near its zenith. The finished product is only a few years away. “If the economy doesn’t derail us, it should be less than five years,” said Nils Richter, who…
POMPANO BEACH, Fla. (June 14, 2022) – Habitat for Humanity of Broward (Habitat) in partnership with the Pompano Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and the City of Pompano Beach (City) celebrated the dedication of four new affordable homes on Saturday, June 11th at NW 27th Avenue, in the Collier City neighborhood of Pompano Beach. Read the…
LAKELAND — Lakeland officials announced Jason Willey will take over as the city’s new assistant director of economic development. Willey takes over for Alis Drumgo, who left Lakeland in May to work for the City of Tampa. He will report to Brian Rewis, the city’s director of community & economic development. Read the full story
