Businesses in Lee County may qualify for low interest loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration as a result of economic losses believed to be created by the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.

Despite the fact that no oil has hit the shores of Lee County and none is expected, small businesses which do not qualify for economic loss grants from British Petroleum (BP), may qualify for the newly approved Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). These loans offer up to $2 million at 3 percent or 4 percent interest for up to 30 years.

The EIDLs are working capital loans designed to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster in the Gulf. The loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.

The deadline to apply is Feb. 14, 2011. For more information contact SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at (800) 695-2955 or disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance .

Alert Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB) about the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on your business by calling 338-3500 or e-mail VCB@leegov.com. For an area-by-area reports throughout Florida, please visit the Visit Florida web site at http://www.visitflorida.com/florida_travel_advisory/.

Also, since a picture is worth a thousand words, the VCB launched a unique website/Facebook interface called "The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel Now."  Users can upload photos and videos to the Lee VCB's Facebook page and these photos will be linked to the "The Beaches Now" page on fortmyers-sanibel.com.  Visitors will be able to view live web cams, current photos and videos.   The page will cross-promote Summer Sanctuary deals/guarantees, and provide easy links to updates on the current situation related to the oil spill. 

State of Florida Response:  http://www.myfloridacfo.com/OilSpill/BPClaims.htm

BP has set up a Q & A web site for public inquiries. 
http://www.floridagulfresponse.com/go/doctype/3059/54315/
 

Business Relocation to Cape Coral

Based on workforce data and the Future Land Use plan, Cape Coral can be a preferred corporate relocation destination for office and company headquarters and for high value-added manufacturing. Cape Coral is one of the largest master-planned communities in the nation.

Founded in 1970, Cape Coral was designed to be a “water wonderland” that is strategically located between Tampa and Miami. This dynamic city is a great place for corporation relocation, fostering thriving business and city life. Residents of The Cape enjoy living in a widely renowned place to live with plenty of educational, cultural and recreational opportunities. Cape Coral’s population has surpassed 163,000 residents and 6000 businesses, and the growth continues. About 45% of the city’s residential lots are developed. At build-out, the Cape’s population is estimated to be more than 400,000.

The Cape Coral Economic Development Office is available to assist investors and businesses to establish a successful business, provide information on incentives, property location and direction as they navigate through the business relocation and construction process.

Cape Coral Economic Development Office
Local: (239) 574-0444 Toll Free: 1-866-573-3089

Top Reasons Why Cape Coral Is the Right Fit For Your Business

Land of Opportunity!
Your market is here! With all the tools you need for business - educated and available workers, plenty of office, retail and industrial properties, an award-winning mid-hub international airport within 20 miles, and affordable workforce housing, Cape Coral is right for your business. Cape Coral is, at 120 square miles, the 2nd largest city in Florida.

Strategic Location:
Cape Coral is the midpoint city between Tampa and Miami. Almost 75 percent of Florida’s population is within 150 miles of Cape Coral and easily accessible via I-75. The Cape is 6 miles from I-75 and even closer to U.S. 41. Southwest Florida International airport is only 17 miles away.

Youthful, Educated Labor force:
More than 50 percent of the Cape Coral population is age 43 or younger and the median age is 43. The fastest growing population segment in Cape Coral is among the 45-54 age group according to the US Census. Businesses can choose from a pool of nearly 500,000 skilled workers from the tri-county area.

Investment Opportunities:
With a total of 120 square miles of land, Cape Coral is the 2nd largest city in Florida in terms of land mass. The city offers three distinct investment zones (City Centrum, Pine Island Road Corridor and Downtown CRA), two industrial parks and two Free Trade Zones. These areas offer approximately 3,844 acres for commercial/industrial land.

Resource Availability:
Cape Coral has undertaken a utilities infrastructure program to provide water, sewer, and irrigation services to every parcel within the the city. The Reverse Osmosis plant in Cape Coral offers a plentiful and reliable supply of potable water. Roadways are established and traffic flows easily. Telecom companies provide fiber optics and other advanced services all over the Cape.

Competitive Cost of Living:
The City of Cape Coral (as well as all of Florida) has no personal income tax. Reasonably priced housing is available with the median house price at $132.145 (Source: ESRI Business Analyst, May, 2009). Residents enjoy low taxes, efficient City services and a positive economic climate.

Tropical Lifestyle / Waterfront Living:
Take pleasure in Cape Coral’s tropical lifestyle. The city has 400 miles of freshwater and saltwater canals, gulf access, waterfront sports, community activities and low crime rates. Cape Coral is among the safest cities in Florida for populations over 150,000 according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Emerging Clusters:
The city's business community includes emerging clusters such as health related services, professional business services, aerospace, marine fabrication, defense contracting, and transportation.

Pro-Business Attitude:
The City of Cape Coral’s Economic Development Office works to create a pro-business climate that helps businesses to succeed and grow. In 2009, Bizjournals ranked the Cape Coral-Fort Myers Metropolitan Statistical Area #20 among the best places to open a business in the US. In 2007, INC Magazine ranked the Cape Coral-Fort Myers Metropolitan Statistical area #1 for doing business among cities over 100,000. Forbes.com ranked the Cape Coral-Fort Myers MSA the top community in the nation for job growth in 2007. (Source: Forbes.com)