Business Briefs
Local builder wins award
Builder Darin McMurray, president of Lennar Homes and former Lee Building Industry Association president, has taken top honors as the #1 recruiter for new members in the state of Florida. McMurray was honored at a reception at the Florida Home Builders Association Annual Fall Conference this past October, held at the Renaissance Vinoy in St. Petersburg.
Named in honor of deceased FHBA Past Second Vice President and FHBA membership chair Al Singer, the award is given to an individual who has gone above and beyond in strengthening a building industry association’s membership by recruiting, involving and retaining members.
The Lee Building Industry Association, a non-profit organization representing Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties, is a powerful voice for the building industry in the regulatory arena. Membership in the Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA) and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is automatic upon joining the Lee BIA. These combined memberships provide a seamless, constant flow of information-at the State and National levels-to the local office and directly to the membership, providing status on pertinent actions affecting the industry.
For more information on membership and our various programs available to you, visit: www.bia.net.
First guests check-in at Resort of MarinaVillage
The first guests checked into Cape Coral’s newest luxury waterfront resort, the Resort at MarinaVillage on Monday, Nov. 2. The first guests, Mr. & Mrs. Peter Opitz of Germany, were walk-ins and arrived from the airport at 9:15 p.m. They were shortly followed by The Gazze family, who traveled from Canada based on an ad they saw online. Both spent a comfortable night at the resort and were eager to begin exploring Southwest Florida.
Located in the community of Tarpon Point Marina in Cape Coral, the resort is perched on the edge of the Caloosahatchee River, and offers 18 stories of sweeping views of the river, San Carlos Bay and the Gulf of Mexico beyond. Now that the resort is open in the coming weeks the shops, restaurants and convention facilities will soon follow. People are invited to take advantage of special grand opening rates by visiting: www.marinavillageresort.com or by calling 541-5000.
Situated at the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River, Tarpon Point Marina is located at 5902 Silver King Boulevard. The sales center is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. To learn more about Tarpon Point Marina, call 549-8500, or log on to: www.tarponpoint.com.
Suncoast Surgery Center receives 2009 Best of Fort Myers Award
Jonathan M. Frantz, MD, FACS, owner and medical director of Suncoast Surgery Center, has been selected for the 2009 Best of Fort Myers Award in the Ambulatory Surgical Center category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).
The USCA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the Washington DC-based USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.
Suncoast Surgery Center opened in June 2000 as one of Florida Eye Health’s Centers of Excellence to provide patients with a state-of-the-art ambulatory surgery center committed to the highest standards in quality, performance and care. It is fully accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care Inc.
Suncoast Surgery Center is conveniently located on-site at the Florida Eye Health Fort Myers office complex at 12731 New Brittany Blvd.
For more information about Suncoast Surgery Center or Florida Eye Health, call the main office at 418-0999, toll free 800-581-0999 or visit: www.bettervision.net.
Lee County issues 23 single-family building permits
During October, Lee County Community Development issued permits for 23 single-family homes valued at $4.9 million to be built in unincorporated Lee County. In comparison, there were 31 permits for single-family homes issued in September and 30 issued in October 2008.
There were two multi-family units permitted in unincorporated Lee County during October, compared to 4 the previous month and 52 in October 2008.
Permits were issued for 10 new commercial buildings valued at $2.3 million in unincorporated Lee County, compared to $7.7 million in September. In October 2008, newly permitted commercial buildings were valued at $3.8 million.
Lee County Community Development oversees planning, zoning, development, and building services, environmental review, building inspection and code enforcement for the unincorporated areas of the county.
To learn more about the department and its services, visit: www.lee-county.com/dcd.
New agency provides Southwest Florida cruise customers new booking options
Katy Bachman and Brad Davis, cruise specialists based in Cape Coral, have announced their new agency affiliation with CruiseOne, which is the nation’s number one seller of cruises since 1981.
Bachman, along with Davis, who affably introduces himself as the “crew part” of Katy Bachman & Crew, recently joined top cruise industry executives in Ft. Lauderdale for an intensive training program.
Through CruiseOne, the Bachman’s local agency offers cruises with Carnival, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Lines, to name a few. Each cruise line, and each ship has its own personality says Bachman in explaining the unique value of their agency. We work with each client one-on-one to match the personality of the cruise to the personality of the client.
Katy Bachman & Crew can be reached at 677-3005, kbachman@cruiseone.com or www.cruiseone.com/kbachman.