Business Notes
DOC FORD’S TO HOLD CONTEST, GIVEAWAY
In celebration of National Mojito Day on July 11, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille will hold a lime jelly bean guessing contest, giving away a $250 restaurant gift card at each of its four locations.
Customers can estimate the number of lime-flavored jelly beans filling a 16-ounce mojito glass from July 5-11. There is only one entry per customer.
The four winners will be notified and announced on social media on July 12.
In addition, customers will receive a keepsake mojito glass on July 11 with any purchase from its mojito menu, which features several curated variations — while supplies last.
Doc Ford’s has locations on Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach and in St. Petersburg.
On Sanibel, the restaurant is at 2500 Island Inn Road.
LOAN PROGRAM SUPPORTING RESILIENCE
In partnership with Sanibel Captiva Community Bank and a group of community investors, the Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) continues to strengthen the economic resilience of Sanibel and Captiva through the Accelerate Small Business Loan Program.
As of June 17, the program had deployed over $810,000 in low-interest loans to support nine local businesses. The CFI reported that the investments have helped preserve jobs, sustain essential services and support the businesses that contribute to the unique character and vitality of the islands.
Established in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, Accelerate is a $1.2 million small business recovery initiative designed to provide flexible capital to eligible businesses as they rebuild, adapt and thrive. A revolving loan fund has been established to ensure the program can continue well into the future.
For more information about the program, visit www.charitablefoundationoftheislands.org/accelerate, email Accelerate@sancapcfi.org or call 239-322-3818 and select option 3 for Small Business Inquiries.
CHAMBERS TO HOLD BUSINESS LUNCHEON
For their monthly business luncheon, the SanCap Chamber and Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce (GFMCC) will spotlight the State of Workforce Development on July 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa, at 17260 Harbour Point Drive, Fort Myers.
Moderated by Lee County Economic Development Office (EDO) Senior Business Developer Tatum Walker, the panel of speakers will include: The Heights Foundation founder, President and Chief Executive Officer Kathryn Kelly, which is in its final phases of opening The Heights CareerTech Institute; Florida Gulf Coast University Micro-Credential & Workforce Programs, Continuing Education & Skills Academy Coordinator Kelly Thawley; Florida SouthWestern State College Dean of Business and Technology Mary Myers; and Fort Myers Technical College Director John Roszell.
At the EDO, Walker oversees the administration of more than $20 million in grant funding to support workforce development through local businesses and educational institutions. She facilitates business retention and recruitment efforts, fosters strategic partnerships, and curates economic development programs. Walker holds over 20 years of experience in local government and the private sector, with a strong focus on program management, disaster recovery and government affairs.
HBKS is sponsoring the luncheon.
The cost is $40 for attendees.
Registration is required by July 10.
To register or for more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/workforcemeeting.
LCEC RECEIVES AWARD FROM CHARTWELL
LCEC was recognized with Chartwell’s 2026 Silver Award for Excellence in Customer Experience for its implementation of a Natural Language Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system.
It reported that the award highlights its commitment to enhancing member experience through innovative technology and strong cross-functional collaboration.
The upgraded system allows members to navigate calls more easily using natural speech, resulting in faster, more accurate responses to their needs.
Key outcomes of the implementation include:
– Improved member experience through easier, more intuitive call navigation
– Increased accuracy in understanding member intent
– Reduction in misrouted calls and repeat interactions
– Faster issue resolution and greater operational efficiency
LCEC noted that the recognition from Chartwell reinforces its strategic focus on advancing and strengthening member engagement through innovation and service excellence.
ACME, PORT 32 ANNOUNCE MERGER
PORT 32 Marina and Acme Marinas announced the combination of Acme’s seven marinas and PORT 32’s 10 properties, creating a platform of 17 waterfront locations with about 4,000 slips.
They will establish a broader presence in coastal destinations, with the addition of Acme Marinas’ Sanibel, Martha’s Vineyard, Sag Harbor, Cape Cod and Annapolis to PORT 32’s portfolio.
The companies noted that each property will retain its unique character and local identity, while the combined team will continue serving customers across all locations without interruption.
PORT 32 Chief Executive Officer Austin Schell will continue to serve as CEO of the combined organization. The Acme team will continue in key leadership roles for the combined platform, with Stephen Shaw serving as chief investment officer and Shelby Tucker as chief financial and chief administrative officer.
Backed by Fireside Investments, PORT 32 has spent over a decade refining marinas in some of the nation’s most popular coastal markets.
Backed by Koch Real Estate Investments, Acme Marinas was founded in 2021 with a mandate focused on acquiring and operating marinas that deliver best-in-class experiences.
SOUTH SEAS TAPS PYRAMID FOR OPERATIONS
South Seas and Pyramid Global Hospitality announced a new management partnership under which the hotel management company will assume responsibility for the resort’s operations and management.
Selected by the South Seas ownership, comprised of Wheelock Street Capital, the Timbers Company and The Ronto Group, Pyramid will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Captiva resort’s full complement of offerings, including food and beverage venues, waterfront golf, marinas, water sports, weddings and group events, waterpark, retail, condo-hotel rental program, and Club Captiva.
South Seas has been a cherished destination for more than 75 years. The resort is set across 330 acres and 2.5 miles of beachfront, with more than half dedicated wildlife preserve and estuary.
Pyramid Global Hospitality operates over 20 properties across Florida, including: Naples Grande Beach Resort; Saddlebrook Resort; Sunseeker Resort Florida Gulf Coast, Curio by Hilton; Costa d’Este Beach Resort & Spa; Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa; The Belgrove Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection; Thesis Hotel Miami, Curio Collection by Hilton; and more.
BONDURANT EARNS CERTIFICATION
Mary Bondurant, with The Bondurant Family Team at Kingfisher Real Estate, has earned the Resort and Second-Home Property Specialist (RSPS) certification.
The designation is awarded to real estate professionals with specialized expertise in resort, vacation and second-home real estate.
The certification is recognized throughout the real estate industry and demonstrates advanced knowledge of the unique considerations involved in buying and selling resort and second-home properties.
It is awarded to Realtors who complete specialized training focused on resort markets, investment considerations, lifestyle-driven purchases, and the needs of second-home buyers and sellers.
For Bondurant, the certification further strengthens her ability to guide clients through one of the region’s most important market segments. It also reflects her ongoing commitment to professional education and delivering the highest level of service to buyers and sellers.
CHR CONGRATULATES STAFFER ON INDUCTION
Community Housing & Resources (CHR) congratulated employee Rachel Bielert on her recent induction into the Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva.
She is the property manager for CHR’s Harkey House and FISH House projects.
It also thanked Executive Administrative Assistant Anna Johnson for sponsoring Bielert.
CITY OFFICIAL ADVOCATES FOR EVERGLADES
The city of Sanibel reported that City Councilmember Holly Smith recently traveled to Washington, D.C., and joined The Everglades Foundation’s annual advocacy trip.
Led by foundation Chief Executive Officer Eric Eikenberg, she represented the city in support of continued federal investment in Everglades restoration.
Smith serves as the governor’s appointee to the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force and was invited to participate based on her extensive involvement in water policy issues statewide.
She joined a delegation of elected officials, nonprofit partners and community leaders from across Florida to advocate directly with members of Congress and the administration.
The delegation’s central request was federal approval of at least $446 million in cost-share funding for America’s Everglades, a request grounded in economic research valuing the Everglades ecosystem at $1 trillion and finding that restoration delivers a 4-to-1 return on investment for Florida.
During the week, Smith and fellow advocates met with members of the U.S. House and Senate and their staff and attended a dinner that included federal agency leaders and White House representation.
The city noted that the event brought together elected officials and nonprofit partners from across Florida to reinforce the bipartisan, statewide commitment to restoration.
BANK OF THE ISLANDS TO SERVE AS SPONSOR
Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands is a gold sponsor for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the South Florida Water Management District’s 2026 Florida Python Challenge on July 10-19.
An initiative that protects the Florida Everglades ecosystem, the 10-day competition encourages the safe and humane removal of invasive, nonnative Burmese pythons from designated public lands.
As a gold sponsor, the bank is helping to fund grand prizes for the challenge, which includes $10,000 for the registered participant who removes the most pythons.
For more information, visit FLPythonChallenge.org.