Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission tests for red tide in Florida & Charlotte County. Red tide (Karenia brevis) was “Not present/background levels” throughout this past summer, a welcome change from last summer.

Metrostudy data states that Babcock Ranch is the region’s top master-planned community, leading the region by more than 20% in annual housing starts. Diverse in home sizes and pricing, 11 homebuilders contributed to the almost 300 housing starts through June.

AeroGuard & Charlotte County Schools will develop immediately a flight school and a new curriculum for an Aviation Airframe / Powerplant Mechanics certification course at the PG Airport. The 2 organizations will co-reside in Hangar 115 and its office building. In Dec, Charlotte Technical College received a state grant to establish the program.

At long last, Buckley’s Pass has shovels in the ground! After years of planning, discussing & permitting, the 1445’ x 60’ channel will be completed Feb 2020. Funded by citizens in the most benefited area, ~68% of the cost has been already paid. Kudos to all who persevered through the process.

Allegiant Airline announces that Punta Gorgeous will be accessible by air from Elmira NY, Charleston SC, Memphis TN, Sioux Falls SD & Norfolk VA. Starting mid-Nov, the non-stop routes will run twice weekly. Good news for local businesses!

55 miles of canals, 55+ communities, lots of golf and activities, Fisherman’s Village and Harborwalk with 18 miles of bike and pedestrian trails are just some of the great reasons to retire here.

The new Punta Gorda Public Library opened August 26th. Now open 6-days a week with extended hours, 10A-6P. The Friends Book Store is still located within the Library. Try out the new check-in technology. Put a book in the cubby, it’s immediately checked in, put in the next item. Easy as that!

Done in record time in less than 18 months. Punta Gorda is the only city in the United States that owns its own seawalls. The city staff worked closely with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and the state of Florida to make sure the new seawalls were built to FEMA’s standards.

Fat Point Brewing’s Oatmeal Stout and Ryeght Angle IPA won Silver and Bronze medals, held in Oxford, OH in July. Over 7,000 beers from around the world were entered in the competition. Fat Point Brewing is Punta Gorda’s first craft brewery.

The Punta Gorda Airport is the third fastest-growing airport in the U.S.  New hangars and a general aviation center are in design. A $50 million capital improvement budget is in place. PGD is used for area companies using aviation, as well as for commercial transportation.

The Demographic Estimating Conference (FL state government) met July 8th and projects a ‘net migration’ to Florida of over 300,000 annually from April 2019 to 2024. This growth will mostly come from people moving here from other states and not from births.

2019-2020 fiscal year will see an “all-women” Chamber Executive Board. This is the first time in our history and, according to the Florida Chamber of Commerce, they are not aware of any other Chamber in the State having such a group!