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IMMOKALEE, Fla. – Job growth was a huge topic during Sen. Bill Nelson’s visit to the Immokalee Regional Airport on Saturday. The state senator has a special interest in Immokalee and other towns in neighboring Hendry and Glades counties, after the areas were designated one of the nation’s 22 Promise Zones. Promise Zones were originally established in 2014 and then in 2015 by President Barack Obama and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to identify areas of extreme poverty then work to improve residents’ quality of life. Southwest Florida was added to the list in the summer of 2016. It is one three rural areas with the Promise Zone designation, which gives it priority access to federal funds. Through the program, the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council looks to accomplish several things: Job growth Tourism development Human-trafficking awareness and prevention Educational improvements Infrastructure upgrades On Saturday, Sen. Nelson discussed the expansion of the Immokalee Regional Airport as one way to welcome jobs to the area.