BUSINESS BRIEFS

Speaker to discuss local government policies and its effect

Matt Walsh, publisher of Gulf Coast Business Review and other regional publications, will be in Fort Myers March 11 to address the impacts of local officials' and government policy on economic trends. The presentation will take place at the Real Estate Investment Society March 11 luncheon meeting.

Under the guidance of Walsh, Gulf Coast Business Review strongly supports and promotes laissez-faire capitalism and private property rights. Walsh previously served as assistant business editor of the Miami Herald, editor of Florida Trend magazine, and Southeast Bureau Manager of Forbes magazine. His presentation to REIS is expected to focus on the economic implications of government policy and strategies for the business community to prevail in the light of such policies. Following the presentation, Walsh will address questions of specific interest to the real estate investment and development industry.

The meeting is sponsored by Andrea Burson Realty, LLC, and will begin promptly at 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday, March 11 in the Magnolia Room at Pelican Preserve's Town Center, on Colonial Boulevard, one mile east of I-75 exit 136 in Fort Myers. Admission is $25 for members and $35 for guests, which includes lunch. Reservations are required by March 11 and may be made by calling Sharon Heston, (239) 410-1253, or visiting www.reis-swfl.org

Networking to build your business seminar set

The Sanibel-Captiva chapter of the American Business Women's Association will host a seminar by Suzanne Willis on "Business Etiquette for Peak Performance" at their monthly meeting on March 11 at the Sanibel Community Center. Networking begins at 5:30 p.m., and dinner is served at 6.

Willis is a communications specialist with more than 17 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Her company, Willis Consulting & Communications, Inc. provides interactive workshops, classes, and one-on-one consulting to help businesses and individuals improve their image, enhance their public relations, and communicate the messages most important for personal and professional success.

Confused about how to make a good impression during an important business luncheon or dinner? Willis will cover the following topics in her presentation: Confidence in dining etiquette; Skills for successful networking; Three biggest mistakes people make in business etiquette; The "B" and the "D" of dining etiquette; How to navigate a multi-course meal with finesse.

The ABWA, which meets on the second Tuesday of each month, focuses on bringing together women of diverse professional and business interests to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking support and national recognition. The purpose of the networking meeting this month is to build networking skills and provide business building opportunities for Sanibel and Captiva businesswomen.

RSVPs should be made to President Gayle Garland at 565-7872 or at godehaan@comcast. net. Reservations should be made by noon March 7.

Commercial real estate

Market America Realty & Investments announced the following transactions:

Providence House of Naples a non profit group, purchased a 2.5 acre parcel with gulf access at 2726 Estey Ave, Naples from Thomas and Dianna Gundeck for $1.4 million. The site consisted of three duplexes and a single family home. Providence House will use the facility for housing, day care and educational classes. Stephen Luta, CCIM and Alec M. Luta, CCIM of Market America Realty & Investments, Inc. negotiated and consulted on the sale.

Florida Freezer, Inc. leased a 6,250 squarefoot warehouse portion of the industrial building located at 7880 Interstate Court, North Fort Myers. The landlord was represented by Cliff Wiersma, CCIM of Market America Realty and Investments, Inc.

The Sands Commercial Group at VIP Commercial TCN Worldwide announced the following transaction:

E-Z Metals, Inc. has purchased a 60,000 square-foot industrial lot located at 6129 Idlewild Street, Fort Myers. The seller was Van Buren Townhomes, Inc. Paul Sands, Senior Advisor of VIP Commercial TCN Worldwide, negotiated this transaction.

Gates D'Alessandro & Woodyard announced the following transactions:

David Shaw purchased .28 acres of vacant residential land from Blaisco, LLC at 320 Bayshore Drive, Cape Coral for $675,000. Gloria Hooper of Gates D'Alessandro & Woodyard negotiated the transaction.

Merchant Services, Inc. d/b/a Evo Merchant Services leased a 950 square-foot office space at 13720 Cypress Terrace Circle, Fort Myers from FSC Partners, LLC. Steve Wood of Gates D'Alessandro & Woodyard negotiated the transaction.

Citrus Spa, Inc leased 1,171 square feet (unit 115) at Pinebrook Park, 12995 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers from Harry M. Lowell. Steve Wood of Gates D'Alessandro & Woodyard negotiated the transaction.

Southwest Pool Enclosures leased 3,850 square feet of office/warehouse space at Benchmark Corp. Park, Elevation Way, Fort Myers from Elevation Way, LLC. Todd P. Holman of Gates D'Alessandro & Woodyard negotiated the transaction.

LanBlue, Inc. leased 850 square feet of office space at Willow Park Dr., Naples from Allen Larson, LLP. Denise Da Silveira and Thomas E. Woodyard of Gates D'Alessandro & Woodyard negotiated the transaction.

Bridgeport Home Health Care, Inc. leased 1,075 square feet of office space at Oak Ridge Ct., Fort Myers from Jan Baillargeon as personal representative of the estate of Frank D'Alessandro and Thomas E Woodyard. Steve Wood of Gates D'Alessandro & Woodyard negotiated the transaction.

Commercial construction

Richardson Homes has recently completed the second phase of commercial office space for Morse Shores Professional Center owned by Dr. Julio and Barbara Rodriquez located at 4857 Palm Beach Blvd., Fort Myers.

Richardson Homes also completed the commercial property at 2421 Buckingham Rd., Fort Myers owned by John Yeomans. The site is the future home of the Riverdale Branch Library.

J.L. Wallace Inc. has begun the expansion and renovation of the WRXY television studio, located at 40000 Horseshoe Road in Punta Gorda.

The contractor will renovate the station's existing 2,000-square-foot offices and expand the studio by 3,876 square feet. The new building will include a state-of-the art production studio for television broadcast and commercial video production.

Ken Kensinger of J.L. Wallace is serving as the project manager, Fran Ferri is the project manager assistant and Dennis Tyeryar is the superintendent. Construction is expected to be complete in July.

Benchmark General Contractors, Inc, of Fort Myers, has been awarded the contract for and recently started construction of the new First Community Bank at the Forum, at the corner of Colonial and Forum Boulevards in Fort Myers.

The 10,000 square foot building was designed by Moore & Spence Architects PA. The civil engineering firm is Johnson Engineering of Fort Myers. The project manager is Mark Anderson and the project superintendent is Alecs Dean.