FLORIDA REP PURCHASES DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS PROPERTY
Florida Repertory Theatre has purchased the Bradford block in downtown Fort Myers, which contains the historic Arcade Theatre, ArtStage Studio Theatre, and other Florida Rep facilities, as well as the parking lot across Bay Street. This purchase was made possible by multiple transformational gifts from a group of anonymous donors, given solely for the company to purchase the property. In addition to the theatre’s two stages, other facilities, and the 110,000-square foot parking lot, the Bradford block contains 20 commercial units and 42 residential units. Florida Rep currently rents 12 of the residential units for visiting artists working at the theatre. Bill Smith Inc. previously owned the downtown property since 1979. The property was initially developed and owned by the Heitman family.
LEE HEALTH, FSU COLLEGE OF MEDICINE TO OPEN INTERNAL MEDICINE RESIDENCY PROGRAM
The Lee Health Board of Directors and The Florida State University (FSU) College of Medicine plans to create an internal medicine residency program in Cape Coral. This marks the second collaboration between the two organizations, following Lee Health’s family medicine residency program which welcomed its first class in 2014. The internal medicine residency program will be based at Cape Coral Hospital with the FSU College of Medicine as its institutional sponsor. The three-year program will open with eight residents in 2021 and will eventually feature a total of 24 active residents when it reaches capacity in its third year. For more information, visit www.LeeHealth.org.
INDUSTRY APPRECIATION AWARD NOMINATIONS OPEN
The Horizon Council and Lee County Economic Development Office seek nominations for the 2019 Industry Appreciation Awards, which celebrate the Lee County business community and recognize outstanding local businesses that have positively influenced Southwest Florida. The honorees and finalists will be recognized during the annual Industry Appreciation Award luncheon on Oct. 25 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort in Bonita Springs. Applications must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. on July 12. Businesses will be honored in five categories: Community Steward of the Year, Innovator of the Year, Manufacturer of the Year, Start Up of the Year, and Business of the Year. To access applications or for more information, visit www.leecountybusiness.com/iaw.
DEPASQUALE SELECTED FOR FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
Colleen DePasquale, president and CEO of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, has been selected by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to participate in the third cohort of its premier business leadership program, the Business Leads Fellowship Program. The national fellowship program trains and equips leaders from state and local chambers of commerce with resources, access to experts, and a network of peers to build their capacity to address the most pressing education and workforce challenges. DePasquale was selected along with 33 other state and local chamber executives to participate in the third class of this program. The four-month program concludes in September. For more information, click here.
SWEET SHELDON CONSTRUCTION HONORED BY BUILD MAGAZINE
Naples-based Sweet Sheldon Construction (now known as J. Sweet Construction) has received the 2019 BUILD Home and Garden Award for Best Home Remodeling Company – Southwest Florida. The BUILD Home and Garden Award is presented annually by BUILD Magazine, a comprehensive global source of industry information covering all aspects of building, infrastructure and related works within the home building and construction industries. BUILD is distributed to more than 110,000 dedicated and informed industry experts worldwide. For more information, visit JSweetConstruction.com.
NEW YOU BODY CONTOUR CENTER OPENS
New You Body Contour Center, an endermologie center, is open for business at The Terraces Building 8660 College Pkwy, Suite 130, in Fort Myers. LPG Endermologie is an FDA-cleared, patented, and proprietary technique of cellular stimulation through reproducible mechanical massage. It is 100 percent natural and effective, according to a press release, targeting the connective tissues of the body and face, including skin, muscle and lymphatic circulation. LPG techniques are non-aggressive and non-invasive, with no downtime and no known side effects, a press release states. New You Body Contour Center is reportedly the only company in Lee County to bring the latest LPG technology available in the beauty industry from France.
CHARITABLE NOTES
Annual Back to School Supply Drive continues through July
The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc. is holding its annual Back to School Supply Drive from June 25-July 20 at several participating locations throughout Lee County and at the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools. Donations will benefit the Foundation’s Education Resource Center which provides Lee County School District educators access to new and reusable classroom supplies at no cost. Suggested donations include notebook paper, pens, No. 2 pencils, crayons, glue sticks, rulers, notebooks, three-ring binders, scissors, and backpacks.
School supplies may be dropped off at Aubuchon Homes (Cape Coral); Miloff Aubuchon Realty Group (Cape Coral, Fort Myers); B&I Contractors; Busey Bank (Fort Myers, Cape Coral); Chico’s FAS; CLA Assurance; Dryzone Inc.; Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands; Estero Chamber of Commerce; First Bank (Fort Myers); Florida Title One LLC; Fort Myers Miracle (office during business hours, team store on game days); Fred’s Award World; Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa; Lee County Public Education Center; Lehigh Chamber of Commerce; Markham, Norton, Mosteller, Wright & Co. P.A.; Millennial Brewing; McGriff Insurance Service; Nova Southeastern University (Fort Myers); Studio Plus Architects; or Sunrise Rotary of Fort Myers.
For more information, contact Brittany Carroll at (239) 337-0433 or email Brittany@LeeSchoolFoundation.org.
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