Charlotte–Lee–Collier

Business Observer Staff
November 23, 2022

Southwest Florida bank names Charlotte County area market president

Joe Cataldo joined Englewood Bank & Trust right before Hurricane Ian hit.

Charlotte–Lee–Collier

Louis Llovio
November 21, 2022

Number of jobless and unemployment rate rise in Lee post-Ian

State data shows the number of unemployed in the county jumped by about 5,000 in the month following Hurricane Ian.

Charlotte–Lee–Collier

Mark Gordon
November 19, 2022

$11M soap retailer plows ahead with post-Ian recovery

Shuttered stores — especially as Christmas nears — can swallow a retail business. As one company executes a comeback, its CEO says communication, organization and accountability are essential.

News

Business Observer Staff
November 15, 2022

Fort Myers insurance firm expands with Pittsburgh acquisition

Pittsburgh Brokerage Services Inc. has markets in three states.

Charlotte–Lee–Collier

Business Observer Staff
November 15, 2022

Lee County approves $4.5 million in federal housing funds

The vote came after the county's annual action plan was approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Charlotte–Lee–Collier

Louis Llovio
November 14, 2022

Miami developer plots build-to-rent project after $30 million deal

After years of looking at a piece of property, Wolfson Development is finally constructing a new build-to-rent community in Fort Myers.

Commercial Real Estate

Mark Gordon
November 10, 2022

Naples ultra-high net worth services firm finds exit strategy

Benson Blackburn founder Michael Benson says he considers the deal more of a "merger than an acquisition."

Finance

Brian Hartz
November 10, 2022

Boat lift maker, sailing school on the mend after Ian

IMM Quality Boat Lifts and Offshore Sailing School are just two of Hurricane Ian’s marine industry victims. But their experiences before, during and after the storm come with valuable lessons.