Lead Photo: SRMA Executive Director Rob Harris, SRMA/Florida Makes Business Advisor David Ferguson, MY Shower Door/D3 Glass owners Bill and Donna Daubmann, and SRMA board member Joseph Janoschka.
Video courtesy of WINK News
DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS TWO-WAY TRAFFIC CONVERSION PROJECT SET TO BEGIN
Construction will soon begin on the first phase of a two-way traffic conversion project in Fort Myers. The $3.1 million project will convert one-way streets into two-way streets. The roads include portions of Fowler, First, Second and Seaboard streets, and Palm Beach Boulevard. The project is expected to take about a year because of manufacturing and delivery challenges of traffic signal materials, according to the city. The project’s first phase is expected to be completed next summer. Construction is expected to begin this month at the Palm Beach Boulevard and Seaboard Street intersection, WINK News reports.
GOODWILL REOPENS STORE RELOCATED IN BONITA SPRINGS
The grand opening celebration starts on Aug. 18 for the Goodwill Retail & Donation Center in Imperial Bonita Plaza, 11601 Bonita Beach Road SE, Bonita Springs. Goodwill recently relocated its Bonita store to the southeast corner of Bonita Beach Road and Imperial Parkway after operating since 2009 in Springs Plaza on the southwest corner of Bonita Beach Road and U.S. 41. Goodwill joins Planet Fitness in filling space Albertsons supermarket vacated there in 2009. The move three miles east provides Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida an opportunity to expand its footprint from 17,000 to 20,000 square feet with an end space for a drive-thru donation center for the nonprofit organization. The store’s first 100 customers on Aug. 18 will receive a $10 gift card for Goodwill and all customers can register Aug. 18-22 to win a flat-screen TV. The store’s hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.
Video courtesy of WINK News
SCHOOL RESOURCE DEPUTIES IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY RECEIVE BODY CAMERAS
The first wave of Charlotte County Sheriff’s deputies received Axon body-worn cameras to have new technology for the new school year. Beginning Tuesday, all 25 members of the juvenile unit, including 20 school resource deputies, were equipped with the cameras, according to Sheriff Bill Prummell. Juvenile unit deputies were extensively trained on the equipment, as well as the policies and procedures governing their use. Sheriff Prummell expects all personnel will be fully equipped and trained by the end of the year, WINK News reports.
FORT MYERS BEACH FISHING PIER TO CLOSE TEMPORARILY FOR MAINTENANCE
The Fort Myers Beach Fishing Pier at Lynn Hall Memorial Park, 950 Estero Blvd., will be closed for about three weeks beginning Monday so that a contractor can resurface the entire concrete deck. The pier is expected to reopen in time for Labor Day weekend. All amenities at Lee County’s Lynn Hall Park except the pier remain open with regular hours. Amenities at Lynn Hall Park include shelters with grills, restrooms with changing facilities and accessible beach access. Parking is $2 per hour. The concrete deck is resurfaced about every 10 to 15 years. The work is funded through the tourist development tax assessed on short-term lodging.
CONSTRUCTION STARTING ON REBECCA’S AND THE MADDOX IN EAST NAPLES
Connor & Gaskins Unlimited is beginning construction on Rebecca’s and The Maddox, a wine venue and private-member wine club by Rebecca Maddox. The project is located in East Naples across from Celebration Park and has a projected competition date of August 2022. The venue’s Californian aesthetic features an open-air design with an abundance of natural light, a balanced mix of modern and warmth, and a combination of crisp, neutral materials and dark wood elements.
Mark Nieds
NIEDS TO DISCUSS CORPORATE DATA AND PRIVACY AT THURSDAY LUNCHEON
Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt P.A. Intellectual Property Attorney Mark Nieds will serve as a panelist for the Above Board Chamber’s Lee County luncheon focusing on “Identity/Cyber Crime – How to Protect Your Interests.” Nieds will discuss a business owner’s legal obligation if and when a breach occurs, cyber liability insurance, remote workforce concerns, and Florida law impacting privacy and data security. The luncheon will take place this Thursday at the Crowne Plaza at Bell Tower in Fort Myers. The Above Board Chamber of Florida’s mission is to impact the lives of members and businesses through programs, speakers, small groups and community outreach.
DUAL EVENT PLANNED FOR MANUFACTURERS ON SEPT. 24
Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association (SRMA) will hold a dual event starting at 10:45 a.m. on Sept. 24 at 16431 Domestic Ave., Fort Myers. The day will include networking, an Industry 4.0 Seminar with speaker David Dragon of FloridaMakes, a catered lunch sponsored by Addman Engineering, and a plant tour of MY Shower Door / D3 Glass headquarters with Bill Daubmann and his staff. Register online for the events.
Tom Porter
PORTER JOINS STEVENS CONSTRUCTION AS SUPERINTENDENT
Tom Porter has joined Stevens Construction as superintendent. Bringing 32 years of experience, Porter has completed more than $350 million in health care and commercial construction. He is experienced in complex health care projects situated in occupied facilities, understanding infection control and project containment protocols. As superintendent, Porter oversees all subcontractors on Stevens Construction’s health care projects. Porter has received his Construction Quality Management for Contractors, OSHA 30-hour, first aid and CPR certifications.
Heath Gelman
GELMAN ADMITTED TO FEDERATION OD DEFENSE AND CORPORATE COUNSEL
Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt P.A. Stockholder and Litigation Attorney Heath Gelman has been accepted into membership with the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC). Gelman represents individuals and companies in automobile negligence, premises liability, professional liability, first-party insurance and wrongful death. He also handles construction defect litigation and represents design professionals in various aspects of risk management, claims and litigation. Gelman has served as defense counsel for over a decade and as a plaintiff personal injury lawyer with one of the largest law firms in the U.S., Henderson Franklin states. Gelman received his undergraduate degree from Florida Atlantic University and his law degree from St. Thomas University School of Law.
FL STAR ANNOUNCES NEW MANAGEMENT POSITION AT SAPPHIRE COVE
Robert Johnson has been named construction manager at Sapphire Lakes, a new community of single-family homes by FL Star located off Collier Boulevard in South Naples. Johnson worked as project superintendent for D.R. Horton in Fort Myers, building the D.R. Horton, Emerald and Express brand homes from 2016 until accepting his new position. His previous experience includes serving as construction superintendent for Progressive Builders in Fort Myers. Before moving to Florida, he was owner/operator of RJBC Construction Inc. in Medford, New York. Other New York-based positions include project manager for Hampton Scapes, owner of RJM Construction, and foreman for Freedom Home Improvement and Astoria Construction.
OCTOBER SPECIAL SECTION: FACES OF GULFSHORE BUSINESS 2021
The October 2021 issue of Gulfshore Business magazine will include a special advertising section featuring the FACES of Gulfshore Business 2021. For advertising inquiries, please contact Associate Publisher Chris Renstrom at 239-498-8517 or chris.renstrom@gulfshorebusiness.com.
CHARITABLE NOTES
Lee-Anne Bosch
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast-Collier Community Board co-chairs announced
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast-Collier has named Miranda Sharkey, vice president, financial sales manager of First Citizen Bank, and Lee-Anne Bosch, partner at Goede, Adamczyk, DeBoest & Cross PLLC, as its 2021-2022 Collier Community Board co-chairs. Members of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast- Collier Community Board are Courtenay Lindsey, James Chandler, Joseph Compitello, Lauriene Bartuccio, Lisa Roosevelt, Rafael Plasencia, Renee Hahn, Robert Paul and Tim Guerrette. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to inspiring potential in the youth across Collier County. This past year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast has served more than 1,500 youth across a 10-county footprint.
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