DCG Corplan was retained by the City of Cape Coral to develop a strategic plan for economic development. Cape Coral is the 8th largest city by population and the 3rd largest by land mass in Florida. With a population of more than 217,000 residents, the City is experiencing high growth. As a pre-platted community, Cape Coral is projected to reach more than 375,000 residents in the next 25 years.

Cape Coral was developed as suburb of the more established business center of Fort Myers, with the expectation that its numerous canals and pre-platted single-family lots could easily be marketed to the American middle-income worker who was seeking a place in warmer climates to retire. That marketing model was so successful that Cape Coral’s leadership has now realized that functioning as a modern city is the only forward direction that the community can take. Recognition is a first step in taking action, but a plan needs to be developed on how to get there.

The goal of this study was to identify the strengths of the City of Cape Coral and determine a means of leveraging those advantages to spur economic growth. The strategic outcome generated five major frameworks for goals and objectives:

• Evolution and Change
• A New Urban Model
• Sustainability & Resilience
• Economic Vitality
• Lifestyle & Cultural Excellence

In total, 50 strategic objectives were identified with implementation guidance planned for the next ten years. In total, a $281 million budget was established which would result in an economic benefit of $45 for each $1 invested. Signature projects envisioned include an executive airport, a corporate business park, and a downtown civic center with a waterfront entertainment district.

For more information, contact:
Sharon Woodberry, Economic Development Officer
City of Cape Coral, FL
(239) 242-3274
swoodberry@capecoral.gov