Southwest Florida communities stand to lose millions in federal transportation funds due to a 2020 Census undercount, according to a report by Florida Policy Institute and the Center for Urban Transportation Research. The Cape Coral and Bonita Springs–Estero urbanized areas, which cover much of Lee County, were among 13 Florida metros analyzed. The estimated 3.06% undercount means the Cape Coral area could lose more than $220,000 in annual federal Surface Transportation Block Grant funding, while Bonita Springs–Estero may lose about $160,000. Statewide, Florida could miss out on up to $79 million in formula-based federal transportation funding by 2030. The report attributes undercounts to pandemic disruptions and a shortened census timeline.