Contact:    Beverly Fox, Economic Development Office of Lee County
                (941) 338-3161

Horizon Council Annual Meeting Set for January 12

FORT MYERS, Fla. (January 5, 2001) – The Horizon Council and Economic Development Office of Lee County (EDO) will review 2000 operating results and set 2001’s agenda at its annual meeting Friday, January 12. The meeting will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd., in Fort Myers.

Included in the program are:

• 2000 annual results

• Installation of new Horizon Council officers and members

• 2001 program of work

The Horizon Council is a board that advises the Lee County Commission on economic development issues. This unique pubic-private partnership is made up of 57 members from government, education, business, community and trade organizations and works to create a positive business climate in Lee County. The EDO is a county government department that works to help existing businesses grow and expand and bring new companies to the area.

Results for other organizations involved in Lee County’s economic development also will be reviewed, including the Horizon Foundation, a fundraising board for economic development, and the Industrial Development Authority, which administers Industrial Development Revenue Bonds and incentive programs.