FLORIDA DEO OFFERS $85 MILLION THROUGH REBUILD FLORIDA PROGRAM
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has made $85 million available to local governments in communities impacted by Hurricane Irma through the Rebuild Florida Infrastructure Repair Program. Grant funding can be used by local governments to restore and improve infrastructure in areas damaged by Hurricane Irma or as match funding for other federal programs to carry out eligible, federal Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) infrastructure activity. Local governments may apply individually or as a regional group for funding to propose projects that meet program requirements, including demonstrating Hurricane Irma impact and primarily benefiting low- to moderate-income populations. Funding can also be used as leverage to match funding for other federal programs to carry out eligible, federal CDBG-DR infrastructure activity. To complete an application by the Aug. 30 deadline, or for more information, click here.
NINTH ANNUAL MARKET TRENDS SET
The Lee Building Industry Association and Collier Building Industry Association will host the ninth annual Market Trends on Aug. 13 at Miromar Design Center in Estero. Randy Thibaut, president and CEO of LSI Cos. Inc., and Justin Thibaut, COO of LSI Cos. Inc., will present a mid-year snapshot of market facts, data and insights that directly impact the real estate industry. This includes new home development, land sales, building permits, resales and commercial real estate in Lee, Charlotte and Collier Counties. Early registration is encouraged as seats are limited. Tickets are $35 for members and $55 for non-members and can be purchased by visiting www.MarketTrends2019.com.
PULMONARY CONSULTANTS HELPS PATIENTS PREP FOR EMERGENCY
Pulmonary Consultants of Southwest Florida has partnered with Lee County Emergency Management by offering applications to patients for the Special Needs Program—a backup hurricane evacuation plan that assigns individuals to one of three types of shelters. The three-page application, along with two pages of shelter types and a hurricane evacuation checklist, is now available at the front desk of Pulmonary Consultants’ Cape Coral office and at FloridaSleepDoctors.com. Patients can either request that Pulmonary Consultants submit the application on their behalf or work directly with Lee County Emergency Management. After individuals submit their application to Lee County Emergency Management, the Department of Health will determine which shelter best aligns with their needs, as well as has the space to accommodate them. Applications must be submitted for processing before the five-day forecast cone and should only be considered a backup evacuation plan. For more information on the practice’s partnership with Lee County Emergency Management, call (239) 574-2644.
COMMUNITY JOB ORIENTATION WITH POLICE, FIRE DEPARTMENTS
The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers will host a community job orientation in partnership with the Fort Myers Police and Fire departments from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 10 at the Carrie Robinson Center in Fort Myers. The orientation is open to the public and will include information on career opportunities with both the Fort Myers Police Department and the Fort Myers Fire Department, including their Explorers and Cadet programs. For more information, call Vivian Watkins at (239) 332-3825 or email vivianw@hacfm.org.
WOMEN IN BUSINESS TO FOCUS ON BRANDING, MARKETING
Branding and marketing will be the focus of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business Committee networking event, held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Aug. 7 at United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades and Okeechobee Counties. Talisha Faber, assistant vice president and client relationship manager with IBERIABANK, and Patricia Crump, brand architect at Spiro & Associates, will offer strategies to help attendees stand out in the marketplace by branding and marketing themselves. Admission is $10 for chamber members and $20 for nonmembers, and includes one complimentary drink and light appetizers. To register for the Women in Business networking event, call (239) 332-3624 or visit FortMyers.org.
CONSULTING BUSINESS CELEBRATES 20 YEARS
The Sky’s The Limit Consulting Inc. (TSTLC) of Estero celebrated its 20th year in business on July 27. In celebration of the milestone, the company launched its “20 in ‘19” program. TSTLC’s principal, Joshua A. Sky, has been offering a complimentary series of six coaching sessions to 20 individuals throughout 2019. Gift recipients are current and past clients, as well as several not-for-profit agencies. For more information, visit https://www.theskysthelimitconsulting.com/20-in-19-program.
Anthony Gamboa Stuva
STUVA JOINS HODGES UNIVERSITY
Anthony Gamboa Stuva has joined Hodges University (Hodges.edu) as the assistant vice president of information technology. In this position, he is responsible for the overall operation, management, development and administration of university technology resources and IT staff for all university locations. Stuva brings more than 15 years of experience in information technology and higher education. Prior to joining Hodges University, he was the director of information technology at Wilbur Wright College in Chicago. He earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and then his master’s degree in computer science at DePaul University.
CHARITABLE NOTES
United Way of Collier County gives to Naples Job-Link
Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida received $25,000 in grant funding from the United Way of Collier County to support the Naples Town Center Job-Link and Mobile Job-Link. The funding will go to support the operations from April 1 to March 31, 2020. Goodwill’s Digital Learning Center provides free, self-paced and individualized digital training, and Northstar certification programs are available to help improve employability. Launched in 2014, the Mobile Job-Link vehicle is a 38-foot RV equipped with 12 computer stations providing employment services for people who are unemployed, underemployed or who have other disadvantages. In addition to driving the vehicle, the Mobile Job-Link coordinator provides all of the same services offered at the Job-Link Centers including jobs search assistance, Family Strengthening Services, Affordable Health Care enrollments, VITA (tax preparation) and FAFSA application assistance. In 2018, 722 job seekers secured employment through the Job-Link program in the five counties served by Goodwill Industries of SWFL.
Love That Dress! fundraiser set for August
Pace Center for Girls, Lee County will host an exclusive Girls Night Out shopping experience at its 11th annual Love That Dress! event at 6 p.m. on Aug. 21 at Embassy Suites by Hilton in Estero. Love That Dress! features shopping, music, silent auctions and cocktails, with all proceeds benefiting Pace programs and services. With ticket sales beginning Aug. 1, admission is $30 in advance of the event and $40 at the door. Pace is also selling a limited number of VIP passes for $150, allowing shoppers to enjoy early access to the shopping and exclusive access to the VIP Suite Level. Purchase tickets at www.LoveThatDressLeeCounty.com.
Jennifer’s Boutique collects 1,200 pounds of food for Community Cooperative
Jennifer’s women’s boutique collected canned goods for Community Cooperative’s “Summer Drive for Hunger” throughout the month of June. Jennifer’s customers donated 1,200 pounds of canned foods and non-perishable food items. Jennifer’s supports Community Cooperative each summer with food drives. Jennifer Williams opened Jennifer’s in November of 1983. For more information, visit jennifersfortmyers.com.
Youth Haven to host first annual Paws 4 Kids
Youth Haven will host Paws 4 Kids, its inaugural pet awareness event featuring its therapy dogs, Champ and Houston. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Aug. 17 at the Mercato Lawn at 9132 Strada Place, Naples. Free and open to the public, this family-friendly event features one-on-one experiences with Houston and Champ, a fashion parade and contest, local celebrity judges, dog-related vendors, and more. Sponsorships, vendor opportunities and donations for Paws 4 Kids are currently available. To donate a raffle item, contact Laura Lafakis at Laura.Lafakis@youthhavenswfl.org. For additional information about the event, visit http://www.youthhavenswfl.org/events/.
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