FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:  Pamela Cox
                            Economic Development Office
                            (941) 338-3161
                            Teri Hansen
                            Priority Marketing
                            (941) 267-2638

FORT MYERS, Fla. (September 19, 2001)—Five local companies will be recognized during the 2001 Industry Appreciation Week Luncheon on Friday, September 21 at the Harborside Convention Center in downtown Fort Myers. From more than eighty nominations, five companies were selected to receive this prestigious award based on their exceptional level of leadership, innovation, investment and community involvement in Southwest Florida. Sponsored by the Horizon Council, Lee County’s Economic Advisory Board, the event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The 2001 Industry Appreciation Award winners are:

Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall

From Broadway blockbusters The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Miss Saigon and CATS, to internationally renowned artists such as Tony Bennett, Mandy Patikin and the Beach Boys, the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall is committed to bringing the very best of the entertainment world to Lee County. Conveniently located on the Edison College Campus in Fort Myers and showcasing venue improvements to the tune of $4.2million, the facility has a showstopping annual economic impact of $17 million. A full-time staff of 12 employees swells to 200 during performance weeks. Employees are encouraged to participate in community activities and last year alone, donated more than 400 hours of volunteer time. In addition, the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall annually contributes some $20,000 in in-kind donations to approximately 200 community groups.

Colonial Bank

A relative newcomer to Lee County’s business community, Colonial Bank was established in 1998 following the acquisition of two former independent banks. Poised on the edge of explosive growth, Colonial Bank has invested nearly $8 million in capital projects during the past year and plans call for an additional $6.5 million to be spent on infrastructure investments over the next 18 months. An aggressive expansion plan translates into new jobs, and Colonial expects its number of employees to grow from 122 to 200 during the next five years. Colonial’s investment underscores a solid commitment to the long-term growth and success of the business community in Lee County. Operating a business where customer retention and satisfaction is directly proportional to employee retention and satisfaction; Colonial Bank is committed to recruiting and retaining top talent. Innovative hiring practices, establishing career paths and encouraging community involvement, contribute to a high employee retention rate. Colonial employees serve on boards of more than 30 organizations. In the past twelve months, Colonial Bank has donated or sponsored 215 organizations for a total of $141,000. Colonial’s growth and profitability underscore the results: total assets have grown from $240 million to $430 million, the region has the highest percentage increase in loan growth and second highest increase in deposit growth of all affiliates, and they have experienced average annualized increases in pre-tax income of 34% each of the last two years. Clearly, investing in employees, and the community, is good for business.

Gartner, Inc.

Considered the world’s leading technology authority, Gartner provides uncompromising research and powerful decision support tools to help develop successful business strategies for more than 10,000 client organizations worldwide. Headquartered in Stamford, CT, with 4,600 employees in 80 locations around the world; the company opened its Fort Myers facility in August 1997. This facility houses two significant Gartner operations, the North American Comptrollers Group and the North American Inside Sales Organization. Gartner currently employs 455 employees at the Fort Myers facility, primarily in the finance and sales arenas. Ranked nationally as one of the top companies to work for, Gartner strives to provide a team-focused, energetic culture and environment for its employees. Community involvement is a key component and last year employees donated 1800 hours of volunteer time to the March of Dimes, Habitat for Humanity and the Blood Drive. In addition, $38,000 in cash and in-kind donations supported a number of community organizations including: Hope Hospice, Habitat for Humanity, the Thanksgiving Food Drive and Children’s Home Society.

Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A.

A member of the Fort Myers community since 1924, the law firm of Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt has been an active partner in the growth and development of our community. The firm is well positioned for continued success with more than 50 attorneys, 150-plus total personnel and a rich 75-year history of commitment to employees, dedication to clients, and service to the community. In February of this year the firm opened a branch office on Sanibel Island and invested $200,000 in computer system upgrades to better serve the needs of clients. Recognizing that client satisfaction begins with employee satisfaction, Henderson, Franklin seeks to create the best work environment possible for its’ employees by offering a number of programs and benefits including: professional development, health and fitness programs, employee referral program and a wide variety of company activities and events. In the past twelve months, employees of the firm have volunteered more than 680 hours to raise money for the community through United Way, the Juvenile Diabetes "Walk to Cure Diabetes" and the March of Dimes Walk. In addition, the firm donated $62,000 to 59 community organizations.

Lee County Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Customer Satisfaction, Innovation, Employee Commitment, Community Involvement and Respect for the Environment, power the success of Lee County Electric Cooperative.

Established in 1940, LCEC has deep roots throughout Southwest Florida. LCEC provided electricity to the first homes on Cape Coral; was a forerunner in providing power to rural Immokalee and embraced the opportunity to shed light on Marco Island. Today, LCEC provides service and energy products to 149,000 customers throughout a five county area. On-going customer surveys provide a barometer for the organization to gauge customer satisfaction. This year, almost 95% ranked the Cooperative’s customer service as good or excellent. Employees are the core of LCEC, propelling innovation, fueling customer satisfaction, and giving back to the community. Last year alone, employees volunteered more than 2,700 hours to countless organizations dedicated to enriching the quality of life in our communities. The Cooperative donated $184,000 in cash and in-kind services to some 50 organizations including United Way of Lee County, Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, and Florida Gulf Coast University Foundation.

The Horizon Council is a public-private group that works toward improving the business environment in Lee County, retaining and encouraging the expansion of existing businesses, and attracting new and diversified employment to the area. The Industry Appreciation Week Luncheon is one of the Horizon Council’s major events each year.