Mr. Pitts noted that he chose Ms. Hylton-Terry for her unwavering effort in leading the City of Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency in creating jobs, housing and economic growth in our underserved communities.
“As head of the Fort Myers CRA, Michele Hylton-Terry is one of the most important people in Fort Myers as it relates to the economic development of the City, which is in full growth mode,” states Lee Pitts, host and executive producer of Lee Pitts Live on FOX 4. “She is already balancing the process of using tax increment funds to bring improved housing and business growth to the MLK CRA and making sure the community is informed and shares in the renaissance,” concludes Pitts.
Ms. Hylton-Terry has led the way as executive director since July 2018. During this time, she has implemented several new programs:
- TIF Guidelines and Application was adopted by the CRA Board of Commissioners and became effective October 1, 2019. The Guidelines streamline the application process and provide a consistent method to analyze each project.
- A Job Creation and Talent Attraction Program targeting specific industries to bring higher-paying jobs to Fort Myers. This program incentivizes the creation and retention of full-time employment within Fort Myers redevelopment areas by offering a grant payment to companies that create or relocate high-wage, full-time jobs within the Downtown Area. As funding becomes available, the program will expand to other redevelopment areas.
- TIF rebates have been approved in the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard (MLK) Redevelopment Area for Seaboard Waterside Apartments, an eight-story, 420-rental-unit development on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Seaboard Street. This project will generate approximately $4.5 million in tax increment that will be reinvested in the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard Redevelopment Area.
- St. Peter Claver Place Apartments, which will include 120 apartments of a 214-unit affordable housing development to be built on Michigan Avenue. Both apartment projects will provide needed housing, and help to revitalize the east side of Fort Myers as the entire city continues to grow.
