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Lee County economic director touts growth in health care, manufacturing and airport projects
Summary
John Talmadge, Lee County director of economic development, told the Fort Myers Economic Development Advisory Board that the county is expanding beyond hospitality into health care and advanced manufacturing, highlighting new medical providers, research and a major airport expansion.
John Talmadge, Lee County director of economic development, told the City of Fort Myers Economic Development Advisory Board on Dec. 4 that the county is diversifying rapidly beyond tourism and construction into health care, medical research and advanced manufacturing. “We now have 11 health care systems operating in Lee County,” he said, listing systems and recent corporate relocations to the region.
Talmadge described multiple medical and pharmaceutical firms moving operations to Lee County, new oncology and proton therapy capacity and local regenerative-medicine manufacturers that he said are scaling to occupy large facilities. He also highlighted manufacturing and technology firms — including 3D printing and micro-utility companies — that have attracted outside investment and could supply regional data centers and airport-linked logistics.
Why it matters: Talmadge said the mix of health care, manufacturing and technology helps the county compete statewide and can support higher-wage jobs. He noted workforce and infrastructure challenges tied to rapid growth, urging coordinated planning as firms seek large, shovel-ready sites.
Talmadge also discussed a planned multi‑billion-dollar airport expansion that he said will add gates and enable more direct domestic and international flights. “We’re doing a $2,000,000,000 expansion of the airport,” he said, characterizing the project as a driver for logistics and distribution growth.
Board members asked whether the new cluster of employers was mostly recruited or homegrown; Talmadge said it was both, with seasonal residents and returning visitors frequently becoming local business owners and investors. He pointed to grants and education partnerships intended to build a local talent pipeline, noting recent county support for FGCU and other training initiatives.
The board did not take formal action on the presentation, but members asked staff to follow up on land‑use and workforce strategies referenced in Talmadge’s remarks.
