About Us

Lee County has enjoyed explosive growth in every sector over the last
decade and is poised to reach a population of 1 million residents within
the decade.

Lee County at a Glance

U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022).

Estimated Population
Annual Growth Rate
Businesses in Lee County
Projected 5-Year Job Growth

OUR MISSION

The Lee County Economic Development Office (EDO) provides business assistance to retain existing businesses, encourage entrepreneurship and attract new business to provide a strong economy and thriving communities. The office also works to improve opportunities for the workforce to advance skills and have access to career ladders. The EDO has published a Development Activity Story Map that allows the public to explore new development projects and investment activity throughout the county.

Our History

  1. 1885
    City of Fort Myers is incorporated in Monroe County
  2. 1887
    Lee County is founded, after gaining independence from Monroe County
  3. 1923
    Collier and Hendry Counties are formed from Lee County
  4. 1924
    The Atlantic Coast Line railway station opens in Fort Myers
  5. 1924
    The Tamiami Trail bridge across the Caloosahatchee River is completed
  6. 1925
    Lee County hosts its first Spring Training with the Philadelphia Athletics
  7. 1927
    Page Field is built as a civil airport
  8. 1928
    Tamiami Trail officially opens, connecting Tampa with Miami via Lee County
  9. 1962
    Edison Junior College (now Florida SouthWestern State College) holds its first classes
  10. 1963
    Sanibel Causeway opens, connecting Sanibel to the mainland
  11. 1964
    Cape Coral bridge opens, connecting Fort Myers area to Cape Coral
  12. 1968
    Everglades Parkway (now Alligator Alley) is completed, connecting the region to Miami
  13. 1970
    City of Cape Coral is incorporated
  14. 1974
    Sanibel is Incorporated
  15. 1975
    Industrial Development Authority Founded
  16. 1983
    Southwest Florida Regional Airport (Now Southwest Florida International Airport) opens
  17. 1991
    Incorporation of Horizon Council
  18. 1992
    Alligator Alley is widened and incorporated into Interstate 75
  19. 1995
    Town of Fort Myers Beach is incorporated
  20. 1997
    Florida Gulf Coast University holds its first classes
  21. 1999
    City of Bonita Springs is incorporated
  22. 2014
    Village of Estero is Incorporated
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