businesses here, and we have land that is available for development.”
With direct access to U. S. 41 and Interstate 75, the city is poised to handle many types of businesses, and city officials have zoned areas for specific types of development, including the area surrounding the new 220,000-square-foot Lee County VA Healthcare Center, zoned for multiple uses.
In many respects, the city is still in its infancy, so there is plenty of room for expansion. Brunett points to several projects on the drawing board: the continued revitalization of the popular South Cape downtown entertainment district, the future development of Seven Islands, Academic Village and Bimini Basin, and the projected construction of a new conference center. Finding the Prime Location
Along the Cape’ s busy corridors, plenty of small businesses offer products and services for residents, while business is booming for national retailers who have seen the power in the Cape’ s residential base. For instance, the Fuccillo KIA of Cape Coral dealership is No. 1 in sales in the country. Cape Spirits, a rum distillery with national distribution, offers free tastings and tours, and has expanded its line of Wicked Dolphin Rum since opening in 2011. In addition, several national franchises have added locations along the city’ s main corridors.“ Then there are the stores that gather around these businesses,” Brunett says.“ Development begets development.”
As the population ages, home health services, home maintenance businesses, assisted living facilities and physicians are in demand. Neighborhood services, such as dry cleaners, insurance agents and computer support firms, are needed for new and established communities. The Cape welcomes savvy business owners to augment the existing base of attorneys, physicians, IT consultants, maintenance companies and light manufacturing operations.
A key amenity in the Cape— waterways— also inspires homeowners and business owners. Marine services, boat builders, recreational outfitters for kayaking, fly fishing and other activities, pool supply stores, tackle shops and boating-supply stores can count on residents’ love of being outdoors and on the water.
Plenty of opportunities exist for familyowned businesses, from computer repair services to funeral homes to eco-friendly products. Franchisees of all products and services also excel in the Cape. It’ s not uncommon for those who have retired to Cape Coral to find that business is still in their blood and start or relocate their venture in paradise.
Areas of Opportunity
“ Cape Coral is still a well-kept secret as far as I’ m concerned,” says Deems. For commercial and industrial development, he says the completion of the widening of the Pine Island Road corridor makes it a magnet for commercial activity. Deems also points to other major corridors: Del Prado Boulevard, Cape Coral Parkway and Santa Barbara Boulevard.
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The corner of Diplomat Parkway and Corbett Road, where the Lee County V. A. Healthcare Clinic and Hope Hospice are located, is ready for light industrial, warehouse, and restaurants, and it“ badly needs a hotel with kitchenettes” so people can remain close to the facilities they are visiting.“ That’ s an untapped diamond,” he says.
Other areas are ready to waken.“ The widening of Burnt Store Road will create new opportunities in the northeast— also in the future development of the Zemel properties,” says Brunett, referring to more than 2,000 acres of undeveloped land held