According to reports filed with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp, Charlotte State was the Southwest region’s leading earner for established community banks with a profit of $9.4 million for the year. That is a growth of 16% from 2018 – 2019.

A hot month for home sales in Charlotte County! Sales were up 26.15% over Jan. 2019. 410 properties closed. The median price was up 6.82% over Jan 2019, at $222,200. The area has a 4-month supply of inventory. 27% of the properties closed in January sold in 1-10 days on the market. Data provided by Time Realty Services from Stellar MLS (Feb 10, 2020)

The Punta Gorda Chamber Annual Wine & Jazz Festival has been bringing crowds to Punta Gorda and surrounding area for 15 years. Hotels are full, restaurants serve capacity crowds, shops see increased sales while Punta Gorda has their “party dress on”! There are still lawn tickets available for Feb 22 – come on out for a perfect way to spend a Saturday! Gates open at 12:30 pm, music starts at 1 pm.

On their tour through 20 cities in 6 states, the US Navy Band, featuring the Concert Band, Sea Chanters chorus and Cruisers, will host a performance in Punta Gorda. Their free concerts throughout the U.S. is one of the band’s primary responsibilities. March 8 at 2PM, click here for more info.

The Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau won 2 prestigious Adrian Awards recently. “Outsiders Welcome” brand campaign won a Bronze. The Visitor Guide won a Silver from among 1100 submissions. “…showcased extraordinary success achieving their key marketing objectives to drive awareness…” Kudos to Aqua Marketing & Communications firm!

…says Bill Dryburgh, the new president of the Realtors of Punta Gorda-Port Charlotte-North Port-DeSoto. Comparing December 2018 to December 2019, this past month saw 40% more single family home closings and 17.1% more Townhouse closings.

The Florida International Air Show made more than a $5.2 million total economic impact in Charlotte County, according to Downes & St. Germain Research, a market research firm located in Tallahassee.  $3.1 million was spent in local restaurants, shops and on entertainment.

Congratulations to Marianne Lilly (RE/MAX Harbor Realty), Realtor of the Year, and Cozi Ingerham (Four Season’s Air Conditioning), Business Partner of the Year. The 2 were chosen by Realtors® of Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte-North Port and DeSoto for accomplishments to improve / enhance the community. Winners sited support from their bosses who made their outreach into community activities possible.

Charlotte County tourist tax revenues, a marker for tourism success, peaked at $4.3 million – a 5.1% increase from the previous year. That is the highest amount collected since the tourism bureau was founded in 1997.

Fly to Savannah GA with Allegiant from Punta Gorda Charlotte Airport. The non-stop route starts June 6, but tickets are on sale now! In a huge expansion just announced, 44 seasonal nonstop routes and 3 additional “large market” cities have been added to Allegiant’s portfolio. Some of the routes depart from the traditional beach/warm-weather focus. Allegiant maintains their goal is to “connecting leisure travelers in under-served cities to popular destinations around the country.”

Seawalls in place, the connection to Alligator Creek from the PGI canal system has finally been dredged through. Finishing touches are on track for the Pass to open in April 16, 2020. Watch for celebration info. Currently, seawalls are being finished, environmental restoration is in progress.

The shorter runway at Punta Gorda Airport is now closed, to be lengthened to accommodate Allegiant jets. Construction time to add 593’ to the runway is approx. 9 months. Disruption to air traffic will be minimal, as Allegiant primarily uses the main Runway 4-22. The main runway has not been overhauled since it was built in the 1940’s. It will be overhauled in 2021.