NAPLES NO. 2 FASTEST GROWING LUXURY MARKET
The Collier County area, specifically Naples, was ranked No. 2 in the Top 10 Fastest Growing Luxury Markets, according to the Realtor.com June 2018 Luxury Home Index released on July 12. The index analyzes the entry-level luxury price tier, defined as the top 5 percent of all residential sales, in 91 U.S. counties. In Naples, the luxury sale price (top 5 percent of sales) has topped $1.674 million, with a 15.9 percent increase over last year, the report shows. The Naples area came behind Sarasota County in Sarasota, where the luxury sales price was defined as $1 million, with a 19.7 percent increase over last year. For more information, click here.
NAPLES LUXURY HOME SALES LEAD TO STRONG Q2 FINISH
Activity in the Naples area housing market during the second quarter of 2018 remained steady compared with activity during the second quarter of 2017, according to the 2Q 2018 Market Report released by the Naples Area Board of REALTORS (NABOR), which tracks home listings and sales within Collier County (excluding Marco Island). Overall closed sales increased 2 percent to 2,926 properties in the second quarter of 2018, from 2,880 in the second quarter of 2017. In the $2 million and above single-family home market, closed sales rose 25 percent in the second quarter of 2018, which—along with other market indicators—leads many broker analysts to believe that interest in luxury homes will remain in high demand, the report states. To view the entire report, visit www.NaplesArea.com.
NEWCASTLE AVIATION RELOCATING TO FORT MYERS
Chris-Tel Construction has broken ground on the new world headquarters location for Newcastle Aviation, a global aviation company supporting the commercial airline, regional airline and general aviation industries. The company is moving its headquarters from Burnsville, Minnesota, to Southwest Florida due to the tax incentives provided by the county and state as well as the growing aviation industry in Florida. Newcastle Aviation provides asset management, sales, acquisitions, leases and appraisals on aviation components and parts on a global scale. The 40,000-square-foot facility will house the executive and general office staff, storage area with rack system, conference rooms, break room and a 10,000-square-foot area for leasing with room for expansion. Construction began in June with the groundbreaking ceremony on July 10 at the jobsite on Domestic Avenue in Fort Myers. The project is designed by Studio A.D. Architects and is slated to be complete by January 2019.
GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING EVENT FRIDAY
The third annual Southwest Florida Government Contracting Symposium and Expo, organized by the Lee County Economic Development Office (Lee County EDO), will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Friday in building U-102 at the Florida SouthWestern State College in Fort Myers. The event is designed to help interested businesses gain insight into government contracting and identify resources that align with what local businesses have to offer. More than 20 exhibitors (including the General Services Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Florida Department of Transportation and the School District of Lee County) will be available for possible government subcontracting opportunities. In addition, breakout sessions featuring presentations on topics such as how to successfully do business with government entities, proposal-writing tips and how to navigate a vendor bid system are planned throughout the event. Admission is free. To register, visit www.leecoedo.eventbrite.com or call the Lee County EDO at (239) 533-6800. To request an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or a reasonable modification to participate, contact Joan LaGuardia, (239) 533-2314, Florida Relay Service 711, or jlaguardia@leegov.com. Accommodation will be provided at no cost to the requestor. Requests should be made at least five business days in advance.
HCN PASSES COMPLIANCE REVIEW
Healthcare Network of Southwest Florida (HCN) has been deemed fully in compliance with national regulations after a compliance review through an operational site visit with Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Operational site visits provide an objective assessment and verification of the status of each Health Center Program awardee or lookalike’s compliance with the statutory and regulatory requirements of the Health Center Program. HRSA holds site visits to assess and verify compliance and last surveyed the organization in 2013. The surveyors found no areas of issue at HCN and said the quality program was the best program they had ever seen and the organization was highly sophisticated, according to a press release. The reaccreditation of HCN’s program shows the organization meets the highest recognized standards for health center programs.
CANTERBURY TO LEAD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt P.A. attorney Edward Canterbury has been elected to serve on the firm’s executive committee for a three-year term. Canterbury joined Henderson Franklin in September 2005 and was elected a stockholder in 2011. He is Florida Bar board certified in real estate law and handles all aspects of real estate with a focus on commercial and residential development, acquisitions, finance, survey matters, title insurance and commercial leases. Canterbury is past president, and current board member of the Southwest Florida Real Estate Council, a member of the Real Estate Investment Society, and a graduate of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce Leadership program. He also has been recognized by Florida Super Lawyers magazine as a “Rising Star” in the field of real estate. Canterbury received his law degree from Ohio Northern University, summa cum laude (valedictorian), and his undergraduate degree from Ohio Wesleyan University.
CHARITABLE NOTES
Volunteers Needed for Wellness Workshops
The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida (AAASWFL) is seeking volunteers to lead health and wellness workshops across the region. AAASWFL offers workshops to assist adults age 60 and up, adults with disabilities and their caregivers in seven counties: Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, Lee and Sarasota. Volunteers have the opportunity to lead fitness workshops focused on the unique needs of older adults. Specifically, these workshops are designed to teach older adults preventative measures to avoid falls, improve their balance, and manage chronic conditions. Classes include Tai Chi for Arthritis for Falls Prevention, A Matter of Balance, Walk With Ease, the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program, and Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance. Training is provided for these programs, and AAASWFL provides mileage reimbursement for volunteers. Workshops are typically held on weekday mornings and afternoons, so volunteers with flexible schedules are appreciated. Volunteers should also be at least 18 years of age, have a valid drivers’ license, and must be able to pass a background screening. While not mandatory, experience with teaching, instruction, public speaking, health care, nutrition, or community outreach is helpful. For more information, contact Sherry Young at (239) 652-6900 or sherry.young@aaaswfl.org. Volunteer applications can also be found at www.aaaswfl.org.
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