Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association
SWFRPC Staff members accepted an Award of Merit from the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association at the FAPA Annual Conference in September of 2003. The award was presented in recognition of the Council's outstanding coordination of the Big Water Heritage Trail project. The official opening of the Big Water Heritage Trail was marked with great ceremony at Roland Martin's Marina in Clewiston in May of 2003. Citizens in the Lake Okeechobee region conceived of an idea for a driving tour linking historical, cultural, natural, recreational and educational points of interest surrounding the Lake many years ago, and worked diligently to bring the idea to fruition for nearly a decade. The Council received a Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Grant from the National Park Service in 2001 to coordinate the development of the project, and the Big Water Heritage Trail was able to go from dream to reality!



United Way of Lee County
In recognition of $2,695 contributed to its 2003 Campaign by members of the SWFRPC Staff, on October 1st the United Way of Lee County presented the Council with a special plaque honoring our commitment to the community. The United Way of Lee County surpassed its goal of $4.3 million and raised $4.5 million in 2003 -- a 13% increase over revenue generated in 2002!



Florida's Heartland Regional Economic Initiative Florida's Freshwater Frontier
A Special Recognition Award was given to the SWFRPC on April 21, 2003 in appreciation for our support of and contributions to regional economic and tourism development in Glades and Hendry Counties. Our work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to conduct a Target Industry Study and develop a Marketing Plan for the area and our coordination of the development of the Big Water Heritage Trail around Lake Okeechobee led to the award from Florida's Heartland Regional Economic Initiative and Florida's Freshwater Frontier, Inc.



United States Department of Commerce
The U.S. Department of Commerce recognized the Board and Staff of the SWFRPC with a Certificate of Recognition at a ceremony on March 28, 2003. The Council was lauded for our commitment to economic development activities in the State of Florida and for its support of the programs administered by the Economic Development Administration. One example of our work in this arena was the creation of a Certified Development Company -- the Southwest Florida Regional Development Corporation -- to offer the 504 Loan Program of the Small Business Association. Created in 1996, the SRD is now an independent not-for-profit entity, although it continues to be housed within the offices of the SWFRPC, and it administers the Small Business Association’s 504 and 7(a) loan programs. These programs help create and retain jobs through loans that assist small businesses and the lending community.