The Punta Gorda City Utility Department is in Springfield, FL, fixing leaking/broken water and wastewater lines. PG Fire Fighters are assisting in Marianna, delivering supplies, conducting disaster cleanup, removing debris, securing homes. Our City Water Treatment Plant donated several thousand bottles of water. In total, Southwest FL has sent 3 Ambulance Strike Teams with 15 ambulances, 4 Engine Strike Teams with 20 fire engines, 2 Tender Strike Teams with 10 water tenders, an Emergency Vehicle Team and a Swift Water Rescue Taskforce. What better way to say Thank You for the help we got after Hurr. Irma than to be able to give back!

The Red Tide Institute at Mote will now be able to expand its research of Florida red tide, thanks to an endowment by the Andrew & Judith Edonomos Charitable Foundation. Based now in Sarasota, the marine research institution got its start in 1955 studying our Charlotte Harbor estuary. Note: The Aquarium is a great place to visit!

A recent STEM workshop taught local 8th & 9th grade students these principles of flight. Partnered with Western Michigan Univ. College of Aviation, local chapter of AAUM (American Association of University Women)hosts 4 STEM workshops a year. Contact Janice Kearns for upcoming topics and dates, 941-235-0151.

CDBIA (Charlotte-DeSoto Building Industry Association) reports there are 8 very full truckloads of necessities going to victims of Hurricane Michael in the FL Panhandle from the Charlotte Country area. What a great community – thanks everyone!

According to a study by SmartAsset, Punta Gorda is among the best places in Florida to enjoy retirement. The study ranked areas by opportunities to meet new people and create new experiences. View it here

FGCU ranks 29th among area public institutions, 78th among all regional schools. Bringing students to the area helps create a more highly educated work force, which is good for business in Punta Gorda.

After Hurr. Irma decimated the local citrus crop and sod farms last year, both have benefited from good growing conditions in 2018, especially this summer. Growers are “cautiously optimistic” about this year’s crops.

Alive After Five is now the Wine Walk – complete with wine tastings and specials at local merchants. Purchase a wine “passport” for a samplings map, then go enjoy! 5PM – 8PM, the first is Sept 20. Next is Oct 18!

In the first 7 months of 2018, Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) has surpassed the one millionth passenger, as well as the six millionth passenger since commercial service commenced in 2007. This July 2018 saw a 24.5% increase in passenger traffic over July 2017.  “This is another milestone for PGD, and it demonstrates the success of our low-cost airport model,” said PGD’s CEO James W. Parish. PGD is Allegiant’s 4th largest operation.

Cheney Brothers, in partnership with Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW), has been awarded a $524,000 grant, which will be used to hire and train onsite up to 330 new employees. Working closely with the State of Florida Economic Development Office, FSW has been successful in securing $2.6M in Quick Response Training funds to train over 1,400 new hires since July 1, 2017.

Thanks to the partnership with highly regarded Aviation College at Western Michigan University, advanced degrees in flight training, airport operations and management, and aviation mechanics (Airframe and Powerplant, or A&P) will soon be offered at the local campus of Florida SouthWestern State College and the newly renovated Punta Gorda Airport. (Approval from the Higher Learning Commission is in the works.)