Media Contact:    Elly McKuen, Economic Development Office
                          (941) 338-316
                          Teri Hansen, Priority Marketing
                          (941) 267-2638

FORT MYERS, Fla. (January 22, 2000) – Bringing together people from diverse parts of the community to collaborate on a common goal, the Lee County Smart Growth Task Force is launching its initiative to manage growth in the county.

Recognizing the challenge Lee County faces as a magnet for development in southwest Florida, Smart Growth represents an effort to shape the imminent growth of the area in a positive way that will enhance the fundamental character of the community. The task force defines Smart Growth as a continuation of growth, balanced economic development, environmental sustainability, sound government fiscal policy and a sustained improvement in quality of life.

Formed by the Horizon Council in conjunction with local community leaders, the group’s mission is to lead and encourage diverse community involvement and consensus building to further the vision of Smart Growth in Lee County. That vision includes a proactive, inclusive community effort that continuously improves the quality of life by reaching a harmonious balance between economic development, environmental sustainability and community livability, to provide a legacy for future generations.

"To maintain community character, we must include everyone as part of the broad-based plan," says Lee County Commissioner, Bob Janes.

The task force affirms that only by including representatives from throughout the community can it achieve harmonious solutions to the challenge before it. The Smart Growth committee is made up of 36 members from business, government, environment, education and other diverse areas of the community. Co-chaired by Dennis Gilkey of The Bonita Bay Group and Bill Hammond, a noted area environmentalist and professor at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), the committee promotes open collaboration and a respect for all viewpoints while building consensus.

"This organization is unique because it represents a collaboration between entities that haven’t had the opportunity to achieve consensus in the past," says Gilkey. "We all face common challenges as a result of accelerated growth in our area, and Smart Growth represents solutions that everyone can live with."

Hammond agrees. "Everyone in Lee County has benefited from the economic growth of the area," says Hammond. "However, the very things that attract development will erode if we don’t support their protection and long-term sustainability."

The group is currently forming working groups to focus on important growth issues including land use, water quality, environment, transportation and community character, and it encourages people from throughout the community to participate.

For more information on Smart Growth or to find out how you can participate in this initiative, please contact Elly Soto McKuen at Lee County Economic Development (941) 338-3161 or mckuenes@leegov.com.