EDAB schedules April workshop on incentives, hears Enterprise Center and land‑use constraints

The City of Fort Myers Economic Development Advisory Board voted to reserve its April meeting for a workshop on incentives and possible development investments after a lengthy Jan. 10 discussion about incentives, available industrial space and constraints tied to federal grant agreements.

"We have to correct that right now" was how a staff member described the Enterprise Center's current restrictions, explaining the property’s occupancy rules trace back to an Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant. The staff member said the EDA agreement limits tenants to Enterprise Center participants and that a formal release from the EDA would be required to permit nonparticipating commercial tenants.

Nut graf: Board members used the discussion to explore proactive economic‑development tools — expedited permitting, targeted fee waivers or an investment-style deal‑closing fund — and agreed to devote their April meeting to drafting recommendations to present to city council.

Board members and staff said the market has little vacant industrial product of the scale Midwest Food Bank and others are seeking; staff reported most new activity has been redevelopment rather than greenfield industrial supply. During the discussion members proposed several tools used by other municipalities: a limited deal‑closing fund to underwrite feasibility or environmental studies, performance bonds or staged fee waivers tied to job‑creation milestones, and pre‑permitting targeted city parcels so prospective tenants face lower startup lead time.

The board approved the motion to reserve April for a workshop by voice vote. During the discussion the board also acknowledged EDA‑grant timing constraints on altering Enterprise Center tenant rules and noted that correcting the restriction could require EDA release or waiting until the EDA agreement expires (staff estimated the agreement runs until about the end of 2026). No binding funding commitments were made at the meeting.

Ending: The board passed the April‑workshop motion and asked staff to invite relevant department directors and outside brokers to a future joint session to develop concrete, council‑level recommendations.