Public Forum for New Cape Coral Veterans Investment Zone (VIZ) on November 9, 2010

Cape Coral's New VA Clinic - A Powerful Anchor for Economic Development

CAPE CORAL, Fla., Oct. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Cape Coral Economic Development Office is hosting a public forum to offer information and invite participation regarding business and investment opportunities in what's being called the Veterans Investment Zone (VIZ) on November 9, 2010. The EDO is inviting stakeholders interested in the economic development of this area: developers, realtors, property owners in the VIZ, business owners, community organizations, veterans, local veterans' organizations, and the general public.  

DATE: Tuesday, November 9, 2010

TIME: 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

PLACE: City of Cape Coral, Florida

Resort at Marina Village

Hope Conference Center & Ballroom

VIZ stands for Veterans Investment Zone, one of Cape Coral's new economic development initiatives.  The VIZ encompasses the area surrounding the new VA Outpatient Clinic in northeast Cape Coral and will be a dynamic location for office and medical parks, assisted living facilities, retail services and amenities, hotels, as well as light industrial enterprise.

"We looked at VA Clinics and Medical Centers in other parts of Florida and the southern U.S. that have demographics similar to Southwest Florida," said Christy Vogt, the Cape Coral Economic Development Office Business Development Coordinator.  "We're talking to clinics in other cities, veterans' organizations, military groups, health care and service organizations to gauge how we can create the ideal synergy for this area. We welcome all ideas and approaches toward this venture."  

The VIZ Forum will feature presentations by the Economic Development Office, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the FGCU-Small Business Development Center and lending industry representatives. Attendees will be provided with information on available commercial properties, business financing opportunities and incentives, and projects already in the planning stage.  Following the presentations, the forum will welcome questions and ideas for the VIZ.

"Community involvement will be a vital component of the VIZ," said Vogt.  "We hope to see many business leaders step forward to participate, not only in the forum, but the development of this important business cluster."

The location of the forum will be the new Hope Conference Center and Ballroom at The Resort at Marina Village in Cape Coral.  To download more information and map depicting the Veterans Investment Zone, go to:  VIZ Forum.

SOURCE City of Cape Coral