Robust infrastructure, a top-notch education system (11 colleges and universities are situated here) and outstanding quality of life repeatedly draw corporate relocations to this county of 700,000 residents on the Gulf Coast.
“Lee County’s attractive real estate market, pro-business climate and convenient domestic and international flight access via Southwest Florida International Airport continue to be compelling reasons for companies to choose Lee County,” says Glen Salyer, assistant county manager and acting director, Lee County Economic Development.
In November, Hertz took occupancy of its new corporate headquarters facility in Estero. Gartner Group recently expanded into a second Class A office building on its Fort Myers campus, making it the second-largest site in its global footprint.
Newcomers to the bustling business scene include Camuto Group, Universal Trailer Holdings Corp. (UTC) and Wawa. The Philadelphia-based convenience store chain for the first time in company history held three grand openings in a single day in Cape Coral-Fort Myers.
“Lee County met all the key requirements in our search for a new corporate headquarters location, and I’m confident the location will serve our business and employees effectively,” says Jim Galeese, chief financial officer of UTC.
With 50 miles of beaches and 230-plus square miles of inland waterways, Lee County is among the most scenic places to relocate or expand in Florida. The American Lung Association ranked the Cape Coral-Fort Myers area No. 1 for cleanest air quality. But it’s the rich economic environment that Lee County has created that attracts businesses and keeps them here.
For example, Hertz Equipment Rental Corp. also has chosen Lee as its home. Now based in Bonita Springs, the company represents the follow-on investment anticipated in the wake of the Hertz relocation.
Relocations may grab headlines, but company expansions create the bulk of Lee’s new jobs. Somero Enterprises recently broke ground on its $5-million, 14,000-square foot global headquarters and training facility. The company previously relocated to Fort Myers from New Hampshire. In addition, Lee County Commissioners recently closed expansion deals with First Family Insurance, Paramount Transportation Logistics and Advanced Components International. The three companies, representing financial services, supply-chain management and advanced-manufacturing sectors, illustrate the diverse industry mix present in Lee County.
The number of corporate prospects continues to grow. “We are finding that principal decision makers want to spend time here — the cost of living is low, office-space costs are reasonable and the quality of life is unparalleled,” Salyer says.
For more information
leecountybusiness.com or (239) 338-3161