More than one hundred people are expected to attend a panel discussion tonight in Fort Myers as builders and developers discuss the state of Southwest Florida’s new home construction industry.

The Lee Building Industry Association is holding the forum which will focus on the survival and growth of companies in new home construction. The glut of foreclosures has become a leading competitor to the new home construction industry in an already down market. 

“I’ve seen a lot of change and a lot of good people go without a job, so yeah, it’s been very difficult, I think, to be inside the industry,” said Jonathan Pentacost, purchasing and land acquisitions manager for D.R. Horton, Inc.  He’s also a panelist for Tuesday night’s forum.

“I think that the worst times are behind us and better times are ahead.  Companies are starting to rehire again at various levels of their organization. There’s also a major shift inside the homebuilding business.  A lot of the long standing senior management teams are slowly retiring and that’s creating opportunity to move up inside various companies.”

Other discussion panelists include State Representative Gary Aubuchon of Cape Coral and President of Aubuchon Homes along with representatives from Miromar Development, Pulte Homes, Stock Development, Toll Brothers and WCI Communities.  The event begins at 5:30 at Pelican Bay Country Club in Fort Myers.

Plans to build a high-tech research park near Southwest Florida International Airport in Lee County  have hit some snags – but supporters say they’re still moving forward.  WGCU’s Valerie Alker reports.

The city of Cape Coral is suspending road impact fees in hopes of attracting new businesses to the community. WGCU’s Valerie Alker has more.

A generous gift has brought the Harlem Heights Cultural Arts & Community Center in Fort Myers closer to completion.  WGCU’s Valerie Alker reports.

The Army Corps of Engineers will launch an in-depth study of six proposed rock mining projects in Lee and Collier Counties. WGCU’s John Davis reports.

A group of “Angel” Investors in Naples will listen to presentation Thursday from entrepreneurs looking to them for funding. WGCU’s Valerie Alker reports.

As the economy continues to suffer, the number of people turning to unlicensed contractors is rising -- and so are complaints about their work. Mia McCormick reports from Sarasota.

Phosphate mining company, Mosaic, is appealing a court issued injunction against portions of its Hardee County mining operation.  The mine would impact wetlands next to the Peace River.  WGCU’s John Davis has more.

Collier County is looking to diversify its economic base by becoming a bio-medical research hub.  It wants to start by bringing a new branch of Bar Harbor Maine based Jackson Laboratory to the county.  But to do so, it must come up with 130 million dollars to help launch the project.  And with county coffers low – there’s continued debate over the wisdom of putting so much money into one basket.  WGCU’s Valerie Alker has more.

Page Field Airport in Fort Myers is about to undergo a major transformation expected to provide jobs and an economic boost to the area.  WGCU’s Luis Hernandez reports.