Major setback for Collier County’s business accelerators

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. – A major setback for a local plan to grow business and create hundreds of jobs.

The governor just vetoed $2.5 million in state funding for two incubator sites in Collier County, one in Naples and another in Immokalee.

“There’s this really great sense of community,” said Shawna Ferris, who works for the IT consulting firm HyperTeam USA. “All of the companies help each other, so it’s been really good.”

The company launched in Collier County’s western incubator in March.  The accelerator is designed to help diversify the economy and attract younger families to the area.

“The resources they provide us make it so we can focus on selling our software instead of day to day office tasks,” said Ferris.

The resources include free office space, incentives and technical support. So far, 13 companies are participating, including six international companies.

The accelerator is getting two to four inquiries a week. It’s momentum Cathy Haworth with the Florida Small Business Development Center at FGCU says the county and the companies can’t afford to lose.

“Our goal is to get them to the next level, define a mission, identify some working capital and funding that they need,” said Haworth.

But, the recent veto means $2.5 million of funding from the state is gone.

Now, the Immokalee site that was set to help the food service industry is on hold. It was supposed to open next year.

The Naples site is being scaled down with less equipment and operational costs. It will continue to operate through next year with $500,000 the county kicked into the project.

“If we have to terminate this project, then I believe all that money is just lost,” said Haworth.

Commissioners voted Tuesday to send Governor Scott a letter asking him to reinstate the money for the two incubators.