A Closer Look At Population Trends, Tourism, And What Comes Next, Including Estero If you live in Lee County, whether...
Growth Articles
Complete Streets
East Corkscrew Road became a busy corridor because of the fast-housing growth and road expansion, but the downside to...
Estero River Park at Village Council Workshop
The following comments were made in a presentation at to the Village of Estero Council on May 6, 2026. “The Village is...
Where do Residents think the Village of Estero should Prioritize Its Efforts?
The Engage Estero Survey (March 2026) Executive Summary The Engage Estero survey, conducted in March 2026, gathered responses from 664 residents to identify key priorities for its own organization, and the Village of Estero Management and Council, providing a solid...
Why is our infrastructure lagging behind residential and commercial development?
Introduction Many planners and researchers would say that Southwest Florida (SWFL) shows a larger-than-average disconnect between private development and public infrastructure than many other U.S. regions. But it's not unique; it's an extreme version of a broader...
An Incentive For Developers
Provide Affordable Housing for Teachers, Healthcare Workers, & First Responders in Exchangefor a 25% Increase in Home Density Introduction Florida is said to be facing a severe housing shortage, driven by rapid population growth and an influx of residents,...
What are Your Priorities for Estero?
Please let us know your opinion of Engage Estero. At Engage Estero, our mission is simple: to protect and enhance our community’s quality of life. To do that effectively, we need to hear directly from you. As our last survey was completed in 2022, we must have an...
An Economic Update for Greater Estero
By Terry Flanagan, Engage Estero’s Vice President, based on the data from The Regional Economic Research Institute (RERI) reports and information from the Lutgert College of Business at The Florida Gulf Coast University. The big picture: growth, but in a more...
A Summary of Major Construction Projects in Estero
Introduction When you return to Estero this winter, or you’re a full-time resident, you'll notice a lot of “dirt moving” and some big developments starting to take shape along US-41 and Via Coconut. Here’s an overview of the major projects, in everyday language you...
Creating the Future Village: Why Estero Must Embrace a Balanced Housing Mix
Creating the Future Village: Why Estero Must Embrace a Balanced Housing MixInsights from FGCU’s Public Policy Forum on Affordable Housing Florida Gulf Coast University recently hosted a meeting on “Affordable Housing: Exploring Goals and Perspectives.” The session was...
The Latest Updates on Our Local Economy
December 2025 Update on the Local EconomyIntroduction If you’ve been feeling that our local economy is “ok, but not great,” the November 2025 Regional Economic Indicators support that view. Nationwide, the economy continues to grow, but at a slower pace than earlier...
November RERI analysis
November RERI AnalysisHere’s the November RERI (Regional Economic Research Institute) story in plain language for our Engage Estero audience—what’s moving, what’s slowing, and what it means for residents. First, a quick reset on expectations: September is always the...