Key Industries

In a state that has long been recognized as a world leader in aviation and aerospace, Lee County is proud to host two world-class airports, including Southwest Florida International, which provide easy access to booming markets in Central and South America.

Southwest Florida International Airport Located off Interstate 75, Southwest Florida International Airport consistently ranks among the 50 busiest airports, well above the national average for both historic and projected growth. RSW offers limitless opportunities and state-of-the-art facilities, including:

• 798,000 square foot terminal
• 57,500 square foot cargo building
• 12,000 ft. x 150 ft. runway
• Full commercial service and low cost airport
• Full federal inspection facilities to process international shipments
• Existing airside ramp
• Existing roadway access and utilities
• Designated Foreign Trade Zone

Page Field General Aviation Airport Located just south of downtown Fort Myers, with easy access to I-75 and US 41, Page Field serves both business and recreational fliers, and has been named one of the best general aviation facilities in the nation by ExxonMobil. A new General Aviation Terminal Complex is underway that will include:

• New 22,613 square foot terminal
• New 24,000 square foot multi-use hangar
• New Fuel Farm with jet and AvGas fuel
• For more specifics on our airports Click here

For more information on the Aviation industry in Lee County, contact the Fort Myers Regional Partnership at 800.493.4396.

If you could do business anywhere, why would you do business anywhere else? After all, we were named America’s “top mid-sized economic development hot spot” by Expansion Management, while Inc. Magazine called us one of the Best Business Climates in the U.S. So why wouldn’t you want to do business in a location where the climate outdoors is just as refreshing? From Thomas Edison and Henry Ford to Chico’s, residents and business who could have chosen anywhere in the world chose Lee County. Our area features a competitive business cost structure; boasts a thriving office market with first-class professional space for enterprises big and small; and offers travelers fast and easy air transportation through one of the nation's 50 busiest airports. No wonder more companies have come to call Lee County home. Corporate HQ is a state designated High Impact Business Sector, which under certain circumstances can make such operations eligible for negotiated state incentives.

Here is a representative sample of Corporate HQ facilities in Lee County:

For more information about locating your Corporate HQ in Lee County, contact the Fort Myers Regional Partnership at 800.493.4396.

With boundless entrepreneurial opportunities, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and an abundant and growing labor supply, it's only natural that more and more technology-based businesses are building their future in Lee County. Our community provides a strong support base for technology development that includes:

• State-of-the-art telecommunications
• Fast growing IT Clusters
• Local and State incentives
• One of the fastest growing areas in the US
• Custom IT training programs

The Need for Speed Telecommunications are essential in today's successful business, whether it's IT, call centers, sales or customer service. And no matter what your communications needs may be, Lee County can connect you with the world. Our advanced telecommunications options include SONET rings with extensive survivable fiber optic backbones, state-of-the-art wireless Internet access, broadband service and aggressive coaxial cable options.

• CenturyLink
• T3 Communications
• Level 3 Communications

Southwest Florida's IT Sector – By the Numbers: Information Technology Industry by NAICS codes

The emerging life science industry in Lee County benefits from a unique community that encourages innovation and fosters high-wage job creation. The leading biomedical technology sectors in Lee County currently include genetic testing, surgical and medical instruments and pharmaceuticals. In addition, BioFlorida serves as a uniting force among the academic, business, research and government sectors to accelerate the growth of the industry. Higher education institutions such as Florida Gulf Coast University are leading the way for Southwest Florida’s future growth through biotechnology programs. Read more about biotech success stories:

Life Sciences & Education Among Southwest Florida’s many institutions of higher education, Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) – a dynamic and comprehensive state university – is ideally situated within two miles of I-75 and Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers. Opened in 1997, FGCU has positioned itself to accelerate the growth of Life Sciences in Southwest Florida, with its growing biotechnology and engineering programs, its firm commitment to generating highly qualified graduates for the workforce, and its dedication to providing an intellectual environment to grow critical thinking, discovery and innovation. The University offers more than 55 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including biotechnology. This program is one of the few Bachelor of Science degree programs in biotechnology in the U.S. Its major focus is to generate the most capable biotechnologists for the workforce through a unique combination of scientific and research training and skill sets that enable the transition of scientific discovery to a business context. The Biotechnology Program, FGCU College of Business and local biotechnology companies expose students to the real-world aspects of biotechnology, including formal training in scientific entrepreneurship.

Here are some of the Life Sciences companies in Lee County:

Southwest Florida has developed a diversified manufacturing base that employs thousands of workers and creates a host of products throughout the region. The Fort Myers Regional Partnership assists new manufacturers locating to the area, offering a variety of useful programs. And, along with the obvious tax advantages of locating or expanding your manufacturing business here, there are also a number of noteworthy sales and use exemptions:

Sales & Use Tax Exemptions

• Purchases of machinery/equipment by a new or expanding business to manufacture, produce or process tangible personal property for sale
• Labor, parts and materials used in repair of and incorporated into machinery and equipment that qualify for sales tax exemption upon purchase
• Electricity used in the manufacturing process
• Semiconductor, defense and space technology-based industry transactions involving manufacturing or research and development equipment
• Aircraft parts, modification, maintenance and repair, sale or lease of qualified Aircraft
• Labor component of research and development expenditures

Southwest Florida’s Manufacturing Industry – By the Numbers:

SWFL Manufacturing Profile  | Manufacturing Matrix