Business is Booming – Fort Myers Florida Weekly

With entrepreneurship, innovation and education leading the charge, Florida businesses come up with new strategies for economic growth

Florida temperatures are not the only thing on the rise. Economic growth continues to surge across the Sunshine State. Many attribute the success to three main factors: entrepreneurship, collaboration and education.

Florida Weekly spoke with prominent business and community figures who say that small business entrepreneurship is driving innovation, creating job opportunities and generating tax revenue.

The Alliance of Virtual Offices ranked several South Florida spots as top entrepreneurial cities for small businesses, including Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Naples.

The July 2025 Regional Economic Indicators report shows slight declines in employment and tourism jobs, but strong consumer spending. Seasonally adjusted real taxable sales rose 6.7% year over year. This consumer strength supports small business owners serving an evolving community need.

Tourist tax revenues rose 2% to $32.2 million in the first four months of 2025, while Florida’s Consumer Sentiment Index rose by 3.1 points, reflecting improved personal financial outlooks and more opportunities for entrepreneurs to offer services and experiences people are willing to invest in.

A look at downtown Fort Myers, where experts say the business growth has been steady. DAVID WISHTISCHIN / FLORIDA WEEKLY

Entrepreneurship and innovation

Lee County expanded its new businesses by more than 7% over the past five years, according to data provided by the Economic Development Office.

“They are the backbone of the county’s economy,” John Talmage, Economic Development director, said in an emailed statement. “If every single small business added another employee, it would add more jobs than the larger companies represent [in our area].”

The average size of a business in Lee County is 10 employees; so, 90% of the county’s 40,000 businesses are small businesses.

Innovation continues to lead the charge among Florida markets. We can see that in the growth of Babcock Ranch, the nation’s first solar-powered city.

The community, which straddles the borders of Lee and Charlotte Counties, draws its energy from a vast solar field operated in partnership with Florida Power & Light. Smart-grid technology, underground utilities and eco-conscious construction have enabled the town to withstand major hurricanes, such as Ian, while remaining fully operational. More than just a neighborhood, Babcock Ranch is a living model of how forward thinking design and clean energy can shape Florida’s future development.

Experts say Naples is a popular destination for businesses and start-ups. DAVID WISHTISCHIN / FLORIDA WEEKLY

“The business climate is improving and growing,” said Bob White, executive director of the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce. “There is growth happening like crazy.”

Experts believe this trend will persist for some time.

“We’re traditionally known for hospitality, which we love, appreciate and support, and we’ve been known in some manufacturing spaces, but we’re seeing a ton of growth and development in the entrepreneurship space, which is really intriguing and exciting,” said Kristina Park, president and CEO of the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce.

Woodlea Hall is Babcock Ranch’s Community Center. DAVID WISHTISCHIN / FLORIDA WEEKLY

Organizations such as the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) play a crucial role in supporting entrepreneurs seeking to start a new venture or assisting with current businesses that require additional guidance.

Alan Brown is a mentor with SCORE in Collier County and is the chapter’s current public relations officer. As a retired professional with 50 years in the tech and software industry, he assisted many start-up companies while creating a few of his own.

According to Brown, many people are setting up online storefronts using e-commerce platforms like Shopify or Wix while learning how to implement search engine optimization to boost their digital visibility.

“They have a product idea, or they have a product prototype, and they’re looking to find and establish really who their market is, who their target customer is, and then how to do some basic early sales,” Brown said. “Naples is becoming a huge attraction and destination for businesses and startups.”

The Naples Players Sugden Community Theatre on 5th Ave offers performances year-round. DAVID WISHTISCHIN / FLORIDA WEEKLY

To be a successful business owner in Florida, perseverance ultimately pays off, as does the ability to differentiate yourself.

“I think what’s happening is people are coming up with their own solutions as entrepreneurs. I’ve worked with three different nurses who were doing side gigs to come up with things needed to fill the gaps that they see,” Brown said.

Mike Lewis is a district director for SCORE and has been with the organization for more than 10 years. He originally started at the Pasco-Hernando chapter. In his current role, Lewis oversees multiple chapters, including Naples, Southwest Florida (Fort Myers), Port Charlotte, Manatee, Tampa, Pinellas and Central Florida.

“Naples is very robust, very affluent. And the same as for Fort Myers, although it’s a little different than Naples. But the growth has been steady,” Lewis said. “There’s no downturn in that. People always want to follow — I’ll call it a dream.”

At FGCU, the Daveler & Kauai School of Entrepreneurship has rapidly emerged as a regional powerhouse innovation and start-up education. DAVID WISHTISCHIN / FLORIDA WEEKLY

Last year, the Southwest Florida chapter won Chapter of the Year within the district due to the highest increase in several categories. It served 4,500 new clients, which resulted in more than 10,000 follow-up sessions, helping individuals start their entrepreneurial journey.

In Palm Beach County, Vanderbilt University is expanding with the development of a graduate campus in West Palm Beach, focusing on emerging trends in artificial intelligence, data science and technology policy. The new site will feature an innovation center designed to inspire collaboration among students, faculty, startups and local companies.

“Vanderbilt is a game-changer. It sends a strong signal to employers who are looking for a talent pipeline that can support advanced industries,” said Kelly Smallridge, president and CEO of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, in an interview with CommercialSearch.

Palm Beach County continues to prove itself as a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem with a favorable business climate for both new and established businesses.

Data from the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County website shows that business tax receipts rose by 33%, with a 16.25% increase in business activity revenue. In addition, the county’s population grew by more than 10%, with the most notable growth occurring within the 25 to 35 age group, a prime working and innovation-driven demographic.

This upward trend in economic indicators signals a shift toward a younger, more innovation-focused workforce. Recognizing this momentum, local leaders are prioritizing inclusive strategies to ensure that all entrepreneurs have a seat at the table.

“We also understand that many of today’s entrepreneurs are navigating unique barriers, which is why we’ve launched a new mentorship program for graduates of the Mayor’s Jumpstart Academy,” said Michael Zeff, CEO and president of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches. “This powerful initiative, led by the city of West Palm, equips underserved and underrepresented entrepreneurs with both credit-building tools and a 10-week accelerator experience to turn their business ideas into viable ventures.”

“Whether it’s a solo entrepreneur launching a new idea or a service-based business looking to scale, the chamber is committed to meeting them where they are and helping them get where they want to go.”

Collaboration

For the last century, the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce has been supporting its more than 1,000 members. It will commemorate its 100th anniversary on Sept. 27 at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center in Punta Gorda.

“We are all assisting and collaborating to make things better for the good of Charlotte County,” White said. “We are all about advocating for the business community, and that’s how we are 100 years strong. We are more than a member-business organization.”

White admits that the chamber works closely with the Economic Development Office, county commissioners, Charlotte County Public Schools, the Charlotte County Sheriff ’s Office and the Punta Gorda Police Department — all of whom support each other with a common goal: promoting economic growth.

“All these economic drivers are working together,” White said. “We bring the ideas together; we all talk about it, and we all help each other. It’s pretty amazing, and we are very fortunate to have that collaborative side.”

The collaborative spirit continues in a joint effort between Collier County and the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce. The Partnership for Collier’s Economic Future is an initiative focused on gathering insight firsthand from local businesses and providing data back to the County Commission and Economic Development offices.

“Together we visit a different business every single week across Collier County to understand their pain point and hear about their successes,” Park said.

The Talent and Innovation Department within the Greater Naples Chamber focuses on growing and retaining existing businesses.

“Anything that’s on the regulatory or county side is information getting directly to County Commission and the staff in the Economic Development Office, so they can understand, from a regulatory perspective, what can be done, and what shifts and adjustments need to take place to help grow and retain our existing businesses,” Park said.

The Greater Naples Chamber introduced a new level of membership, the Individual Community Contributor, designed for business retirees, solopreneurs (a person who sets up a business, where they are the sole employee) and individuals seeking to make a positive impact in their local community.

“This is really appealing to solopreneurs and even remote workers whose larger corporation may not choose to join their local chamber of commerce,” Park said. “I believe exceptions are made for exceptional communities — in which we are one.”

The same can be said for Palm Beach County, where the Chamber of the Palm Beaches works closely with business institutions, local governments and educational partners to drive sustained business growth across the southeast coast.

“We maintain a strong partnership with the Business Development Board, aligning our efforts around business attraction, retention and expansion,” Zeff said.

According to Zeff, the chamber hosted the Central Palm Beach County Economic Development Summit, which brought together municipal leaders from seven cities along with developers, investors and industry experts. The goal was clear: to identify actionable strategies that would increase investment and improve the business environment. The summit produced practical next steps for cities to enhance growth while aligning with regional priorities.

In April, the Palm Beaches Chamber partnered with FAU to commission and present a comprehensive economic study of Palm Beach County.

“The report showed that our local economy is among the strongest in the country,” Zeff said. “Palm Beach County would rank as the 63rd largest economy in the world if measured independently, just behind Ecuador. It also confirmed that our region leads in GDP growth, maintains one of the lowest unemployment rates in the U.S., and benefits from high levels of industry diversity, capital inflow and workforce education.”

At the policy level, they are a strong voice for the business community, working closely with local governments to streamline zoning and modernize infrastructure, while supporting investment.

“When economic development agencies, academic institutions and municipalities collaborate with intention, it creates a multiplier effect. The chamber is proud to be a central connector in that equation, ensuring that growth is smart, inclusive and strategically aligned with the future of Palm Beach County,” Zeff added.

Education

In June, Gov. Ron DeSantis awarded $10 million to five Florida colleges through the Job Growth Grant Fund to address construction-related needs of the aerospace industry.

These schools include Eastern Florida State College, Indian River State College, Polk State College, Valencia College and Seminole State College. Funds will be used to support construction projects that enhance workforce training in the aerospace industry in Florida.

Since 2019, DeSantis has directed more than $10 billion into workforce education, including the state budget allocation of $726.9 million this year. This commitment from the state ensures access to education opportunities that lead to high-demand, high-wage jobs with the skills needed to thrive in the evolving job market.

“There has been an influx of training programs addressed by area technical schools,” Talmage said, noting the development of the new Heights CareerTech Institute and expansion programs at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) and Florida Southwestern State College (FSW).

The Heights CareerTech Institute is a state-of-the-art facility that will serve more than 500 students each year. Students will enroll in industry-credentialed courses that will provide pathways to sustainable, high-paying professions, furthering the economic growth and vitality of Southwest Florida.

At FGCU, the Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship has rapidly emerged as a regional powerhouse in innovation and startup education, having elevated entrepreneurship to a standalone school status in 2017. FGCU now serves nearly 3,000 students across its entrepreneurial degree programs. In addition, the school supports applied learning through initiatives such as the Runway Program incubator, the Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program, Freshman business living-learning communities, and the annual Azul Innovation Challenge, which awards over $33,000 in prizes and in-kind support. FGCU’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is backed by robust partnerships and mentorship networks, highlighting its reputation for experiential, community-oriented learning.

Meanwhile, FSW has recently elevated its commitment to entrepreneurship with the launch of its new associate in science in entrepreneurship degree, debuting this fall under the Frank G. Daveler Entrepreneurship Institute. The institute, which operates alongside the hands-on Daveler Innovation Center, offers multiple entry points, including college credit certificates in business development and entrepreneurship.

Students gain real-world training in business planning, operations, marketing, innovation and pitch development, supported by mentorship, digital badges and a strong external partnership with Cap Table Nation, which provides exposure to venture capital and startup networks.

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) plays a pivotal role in this evolution. FAU is driving growth across key sectors, including neuroscience, engineering, supply chain management and environmental science. Through initiatives like the Tech Runway accelerator and the FAU Brain Institute, the university is not only developing talent, but also launching startups, anchoring Palm Beach County’s reputation as a hub for homegrown innovation.

Together, these institutions illustrate the growing entrepreneurial landscape.

With Florida’s unemployment rate consistently below the national average and the state earning the title of the nation’s top economy by CNBC for the third year, the outlook remains overwhelmingly positive. Florida continues to attract business builders, investors and professionals seeking more than just opportunity.

Across industries and regions, what drives this growth is the power of strategic partnerships between local organizations, educational institutions and support networks that create sustainable ventures.

As entrepreneurship and innovation continues to flourish, Florida’s business landscape is proving that when people are empowered and connected, progress and growth are inevitable. ¦