March 2025 Newsletter
March is here! Check out our March Newsletter to see all the upcoming events and see what is going on around East Lee County.
Welcome New Members!
March’s New Members
We would like to welcome all of our new members!
“We believe that learning to be, learning to learn, and learning to do are more important than learning to know.”
“Providing a locally owned and operated dumpster service to homeowners and contractors.”
“The rabid evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has brought about both groundbreaking advancements and serious risks.”
“Poppin the confidence of young girls around the world, one affirmation at a time!”
Know someone interested in becoming a member?
Click here and send them the link to learn more about membership opportunities and what the benefits of becoming a member of our great community are.
Upcoming Events
2025 East Lee Chamber Annual Awards Gala
Our Awards Gala will be here before you know it! It’s coming up on Saturday, March 29th!
This is an opportunity to highlight the achievements of those in our community who have made an impact in 2024.
Mark your calendars!
Date: Saturday, March 29th
Time: Cocktails at 6 PM, Dinner at 7:15 PM
Location: The Plantation Golf & Country Club (10500 Dartington Dr. in Fort Myers)
*You must RSVP by Saturday, March 21st*
This night to remember will have great activities, including a silent auction, an incredible dinner, great entertainment from Wayne Cristiano, and highlighted by our Annual Awards Presentation.
Sponsorship opportunities are available now! There are 4 choices:
- Universe Sponsor
- Galaxy Sponsor
- Sun Reception Sponsor
- Moon Auction Sponsor
We would love to see you there! If you’re ready to buy your ticket now and would like to become a sponsor, click here.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony / Open House
Mark your calendars! There will be a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Open House for one of our newest members, Pretty Girls Poppin, coming up soon!
Date: Wednesday, March 12th
Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: Veterans Park (55 Homestead Road South in Lehigh Acres)
We hope to see you there to help welcome and support one of the newest members of our Chamber to our community.
If you’d like to learn more about our new Chamber member Pretty Girls Poppin, click here to visit their website.
Did You Know?
Interest Rates Coming Down?
Information courtesy of The Hartford…
Interest rate cuts: A cut in interest rates this year, ranging from a quarter to half a percentage point, is a positive change after years of high rates aimed at controlling this country’s inflation.
Impact on loans: Small businesses should consider refinancing their existing loans (fixed and variables, as well as personal mortgages) at lower rates.
Revisit your investments: Lower interest rates may make certain investments, like purchasing equipment or property, more feasible for small businesses. Revisit past investments as well.
New loan opportunities: With lower interest rates, it’s a good time to explore loans from traditional banks, community banks, credit unions, and the Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA guarantees loans through its network of banks, making it easier for small businesses to secure financing.
Investment yields decreasing: While lower interest rates are beneficial for borrowing, it also means lower yields on savings like CDs and annuities. Businesses should consider locking in current rates before they decrease further.
Compliments of Gene Marks
Want to learn more? Click here.
Courtesy of Lee County Economic Development of Southwest Florida
Lee Health Groundbreaking
Lee Health held a groundbreaking to celebrate the start of construction for its new healthcare campus in Fort Myers.
The campus is designed to serve as a healthcare destination with over 400,000 square feet of hospital space, 125,000 square feet of medical office space and an 18,000 square foot central energy plant.
The Groundbreaking was held at the intersection of Colonial Boulevard and Challenger Boulevard.
Completion of the campus is anticipated for 2028.
If you’d like to learn more about the Groundbreaking for Lee Health, click here.
Upcoming Town Halls
The School District of Lee County will host a series of Town Hall meetings throughout the district this spring.
Each meeting will include remarks from school board member, a question-and-answer session and a presentation from Superintendent Denise Carlin, Ph.D., about the school district’s priorities.
All members of the community are encouraged to attend to be part of shaping education in Lee County.
To see the upcoming dates and see where the meetings will be held, click here to see their full flyer with all the information you need to attend.
Workforce Housing
Civitas of Cape Coral hosted a ribbon cutting to welcome its first residents.
This development is the first of its kind in the city of Cape Coral to offer attainable workforce housing.
The multifamily community offers 96 units for residents earning 80% or less area median income (AMI).
Residents of the community will have access to amenities such as a fitness center, business center and a swimming pool.
Free resident programs offered at Civitas will include an Employment Assistance Program and Financial Management Program.
If you’d like to read the press release to learn more, click here.
State Trade and Expansion
Looking to export?
Small businesses may be eligible for a grant through the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) State Trade and Expansion (STEP) Program.
Through the STEP grant, businesses may be able to receive reimbursement costs incurred for trade show fees and related travel expenses, including product sample shipments, translation services, company promotions/marketing plans and more.
STEP grant funding is available through September 2026.
Contact the Florida SBDC at FGCU or Lee County EDO for information on other opportunities to support the imports and exports of goods and services.
If you’d like to learn more about if a small business is eligible and can receive the grant, you can read the full press release click here.
If you’d like to see the Lee County Government’s newsletter, click here.
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