Need to catch up on Southwest Florida business news? No problem. Here are the top stories of the week pulled from our daily newsletter, Gulfshore Business Daily.
Friday, May 24
DOWNTOWN HOLIDAY INN APPROVED FOR CRA REBATE
Holiday Inn, a six-story, 135-room full-service hotel to be built in the downtown redevelopment area of Fort Myers, was approved for a tax increment rebate up to $3.3 million at the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board of Commissioners meeting on May 22. Holiday Inn will be built on the three original city land parcels located on the northeast corner of Royal Palm Avenue and Second Street. The hotel will add approximately 152 construction jobs and 59 full-time jobs to residents of the area once it is completed. The Holiday Inn is being developed by HIDEV Group LLC, a division of Land Developers Associates (LDA). Construction completion is expected in April 2020, with an estimated project completion date of 2021.
Thursday, May 23
LEE HEALTH HOSPITALS TOP-RANKED FOR SAFETY
Timothy Cartwright
Wednesday, May 22
CATALYST ORTHOSCIENCE WINS BIGGEST VENTURE DEAL IN NAPLES HISTORY
Catalyst OrthoScience Inc. recently raised $12.7 million in venture capital financing, validating the decision by early investors including Tamiami Angel Funds to back the Naples-based medical device company three years ago. The investment, led by River Cities Capital Funds for Catalyst, was the largest venture capital sum raised for any company headquartered in Naples, according to Timothy Cartwright, chairman of Tamiami Angel Funds. Tamiami Angel Fund II was the lead investor in Catalyst’s first round of venture-capital financing in 2016 with an initial investment of $930,000. In total, investors with Tamiami Angel Funds have invested $1.4 million in Catalyst. Founded by Dr. Steven Goldberg, Catalyst OrthoScience develops and markets surgical implants that make orthopedic surgery less invasive and more efficient for both surgeons and patients.
Betty Lucas
Tuesday, May 21
LEE, HENDRY HABITAT NAMES INTERIM CEO
Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties has named Becky Lucas as interim CEO following the recent announcement that former president and CEO Katherine “Kitty” Green has accepted the position of vice president for advancement at Florida Gulf Coast University. Lucas has served Habitat for Humanity in various roles over a span of 19 years including volunteer, director of construction, executive director and her most recent role as vice president of community outreach. Lucas previously served as as associate director of philanthropy for The Nature Conservancy and as a director of the Children’s Hunger Alliance in Columbus.
Katherine “Kitty” Green
