Community Planning Articles

Addressing the Workforce Housing Crisis In Southern Lee County: Part 2

A Collaborative Approach Inspired by Toronto's Success     Introduction Southern Lee County faces two major challenges: a severe workforce housing shortage and serious traffic congestion. These interconnected issues significantly hinder the community's...
Unraveling the Mystery of Development Impact Fees

Unraveling the Mystery of Development Impact Fees

Unraveling the Mystery of Development Impact FeesFew people outside the local, county, and state government agencies understand "Development Impact" fees. Engage Estero monitors impact fees and their use in Estero and surrounding areas. The following information will...

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Workforce Housing: Encouraging Developments

Workforce Housing: Encouraging Developments

Workforce Housing: Encouraging Developments!In March 2022, the ECCL, now Engage Estero, released an article titled "Why We Need Workforce Housing in the Greater Estero Area." The article explained the increasing difficulties facing middle-income workers in buying or...

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Southwest Florida Regional Economic Indicators

Southwest Florida Regional Economic Indicators

The period following the landfall of hurricane Ian in late September has been difficult for both businesses and the public. Not only have many in Southwest Florida had to cope with the tragic aftermath, but there was also a period of high inflation and difficult...

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Charting the Future of the ECCL: GECR Quarter 4, 2022

Charting the Future of the ECCL: GECR Quarter 4, 2022

The ECCL is pleased to provide the 4th quarter’s Greater Estero Community Report (GECR) for 2022. This report focuses on the research and planning used to choose our future action priorities and how we are changing how we represent those priorities to the...

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Bonita Estero Rail Trail

Bonita Estero Rail Trail

Rails to Trails  There are efforts to build a public biking and pedestrian trail in the Greater Estero area, linking with other Florida trails. The ECCL has been tracking these efforts and alerting residents of opportunities to get involved.Background The Lee County...

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Development and Transportation: GECR Quarter 3, 2022

Development and Transportation: GECR Quarter 3, 2022

Development and Transportation The ECCL is pleased to provide the 3rd quarter’s Greater Estero Community Report (GECR) for 2022. Each article in the report focuses on economic progress in our area, including insights into current developments and what we expect to see...

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Benefit from FGCU Interns and Volunteers

Benefit from FGCU Interns and Volunteers

Local Organizations Benefit from FGCU Interns and Volunteers  The Greater Estero Area reaps multiple benefits from having a major university campus in our community, from cultural opportunities, an influx of younger consumers and workers, and the economic...

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East Corkscrew Road Developments: GECR Quarter 3, 2021

East Corkscrew Road Developments: GECR Quarter 3, 2021

Developments on East Corkscrew Road and their Impact on Safety, Transportation and Services The ECCL is pleased to provide the third quarter’s Greater Estero Community Report (GECR) for 2021. This report goes into detail on the numbers of homes and car rides projected...

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