1. All business agree that something needs to be done with the old shopping center on Marion, such as a central focal point of a food store to attract people.
2. Downtown businesses can support each other with recommendations; including restaurants / retailers reciprocation.
3. Residents need to support the local merchants. PG would be a very different city if they closed.
4. Merchants need to support the local residents with products and service that entices them to shop the stores instead of online.  —see more next slide->

5. Encourage a younger retail customer base to balance an aging customer base
6. Discuss the success of PG with those that simply want to disrupt discussions of the future of our City. End the name calling. Foster positive discussion and brainstorming.
7. Educate yourself about efforts to improve and manage growth within the downtown area.

“Let’s get to work – and work smarter and closer together.”

The first and only near real-time weather reporting site has been installed on the Peace River by the Punta Gorda Boaters Alliance. The weather sensors were placed on Peace River Marker 4, approximately one-half mile off Gilchrist Park, and will provide near real-time wind, temperature, and barometric pressure data. A second site will be established on Peace River Marker 2 in the fall of 2018.

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.

Sales are brisk at the new city of Babcock Ranch. Fox News recently broadcast a Special Report: “Urban Future, Babcock Ranch billed as first solar city” – See the Video

Congratulations Suncoast Media Group on the sale of your business! And a Punta Gorgeous welcome to Adams Publishing Group.

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.)