Contact:
Pamela Cox
Economic Development
(239) 461-6803 (office)
(239) 851-8973 (cell)
Fort
Myers, Fla. (January
24, 2003)---At today’s Annual Meeting of Lee County’s Horizon Council, a
resilient economy during 2002 was the theme.
Despite a challenging year for many parts of the state and Country, the
Economic Development Office reported six business locations and nine expansions
in critical target industries, resulting in an overall first-year economic
impact of $52.5 million.
Expansions and
locations reported were based on target industries creating more than 10 jobs,
absorbing over 5,000 square feet, or investing more than $1 million.
The fifteen companies reported for 2002 created 461 direct and 255
indirect jobs for a total of 716 new jobs in Lee County, creating an annual
economic impact of $24.1 million in wages.
The companies absorbed 275,000 square feet of new and existing
industrial/office space with a combined capital investment of $28.4 million.
Local companies that
expanded in 2002 were: Alumination,
Inc, FindWhat.com, H.F. Scientific,
Lynx, Nor-Tech, Pavermodule, Sahara Cabinets, Suncoast Aluminum Furniture and
Suncoast Fiberglass Products, Inc. New
company locations in 2002 included: Ac-Folien
of America, Gulf Coast Stamping, LocalTel Yellow Pages, MCCI, Panelform
Industries and Water One.
“We are extremely
pleased with our 2002 results,” stated Janet Watermeier, Executive Director of
Lee County’s Economic Development Office.
“Our ability to attract new businesses and support expanding local
businesses is a result of the combined efforts of public and private sectors
working together, the continued growth and expertise of our workforce and the
remarkable quality of life we have to offer.”
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Further stability of
the economy can be seen in the number of active prospects considering locating
or expanding here as well. The
Economic Development Office is currently working with 29 businesses considering
locating in Lee County, and 12 existing businesses considering an expansion.
A highlight of the
meeting occurred when it was announced that Chico’s, a niche clothier that
sells exclusively designed private-label women’s clothing and accessories, and
one of Lee County’s largest private employers, will be expanding its
operations in Lee County during 2003, creating 84 new full-time jobs with an
economic impact to the community of $9.8 million.
The Council’s
annual meeting concluded with a motivational introduction of the new Economic
Development marketing campaign. “Inspiring
a wave of innovation” is a strong message that will be carried forward to
encourage and educate businesses about opportunities in Lee County.
The marketing campaign is composed of an extensive co-operative
advertising program with Enterprise Florida, the state’s economic development
organization, new collateral materials focusing on local businesses and their
success and a re-designed website.
Additional information on the 2002 Economic Development results can be found in the Annual Report, available by calling (239) 338-3161 or on the web at www.LeeCountyBusiness.com
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The
Economic Development Office of Lee County works to attract new and diversified
businesses resulting in high-wage, high-skilled jobs; retain and encourage
expansion of existing businesses; and improve the overall business environment
in Lee County. Additional
information is available at www.leecountybusiness.com.
About the Horizon Council
The Horizon Council of Lee County is a 57-member public-private organization that advises the Lee County Board of County Commissioners on economic development issues. Horizon Council membership is composed of representatives from the Counties’ five cities: Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel-Captiva; 10 area chambers of commerce; 12 Economic Development and Trade Organizations; and 10 community, education, or business organizations.