Building Industry Alliance SWFL

08/25/2026

Tomorrow Night!
Building Industry Alliance SWFL Meeting

📅 Wednesday, August 26th
🕖 6 PM to 8 PM – Free Music at 8 PM
📍 Buckingham Blues Bar
5641 Buckingham Rd, Fort Myers, FL 33905

Call for more information 👉 (239) 470-5611

Join members of BIA SWFL, and The Custom and Independent Home Builders Association for an evening of networking, conversation, and community connection.

RSVP: pci.jotform.com/form/262043915408152

08/13/2026

Amanda Cochran For Lee County Commissioner District 5 supports our Alliance. Vote for Amanda.

PROPERTY RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

**By East Lee County News**

There is a legitimate conversation to be had about Florida agriculture, property rights and development, but too often three different things get lumped together: a farmer’s right to sell his land, a developer’s right to buy it, and a developer’s expectation that government will change the rules governing what can be built on it.

Those are not the same thing.

Nobody should expect a farmer, or any landowner, to absorb the economic cost of preserving open space simply because the rest of us want it preserved. Florida agriculture is under tremendous pressure from foreign competition, rising labor and operating costs, regulation, disease, taxes, insurance and consumers choosing cheaper imported products over Florida-grown food. Telling a farmer to “just hold onto the land” for the public benefit while leaving that farmer to carry the financial burden isn’t much of a preservation policy.

As James Kennedy has explored in East Lee News, however, the choice is not always limited to selling for development or holding land under financial pressure. Conservation programs, agricultural preservation tools and other incentive-based approaches can sometimes allow land to remain productive or protected while providing economic benefit to the landowner. Those options recognize the financial realities facing agriculture without assuming development is the only viable exit. See Kennedy’s [**“Preserving What’s Left: Real Options for Landowners.”**](https://eastleenews.com/real-options-for-landowners/)

The right to own and sell property is fundamental. If a farmer decides selling is the best option for his family or business, that is his decision. But the farmer’s right to sell and what a developer should be permitted to build after purchasing the property are separate questions.

That distinction becomes particularly important when development requires government to change the rules.

Agricultural property may have one value under its existing zoning and future land-use designation and a dramatically higher value if the county changes those rules to allow thousands of homes. There is a difference between taking away an established property right and declining to grant a new, substantially more intensive use.

East Lee County News has examined that distinction through Florida’s Bert J. Harris, Jr. Private Property Rights Protection Act. In Nathan Cochran’s [**“The Bert Harris Act – What It Is and What It Isn’t,”**](https://eastleenews.com/the-bert-harris-act/) East Lee News examined the protections Florida law provides when government action “inordinately burdens” an existing use of real property or a vested right to a specific use.

Cochran made another important distinction: the Bert Harris Act was intended to protect established property rights, not guarantee maximum profits or automatic approval of development proposals. His analysis specifically addressed attempts to “upzone” property by seeking greater density, intensity or uses than existing law permits.

Cochran followed with [**“The Bert Harris Act: How It Began and How It’s Going,”**](https://eastleenews.com/the-bert-harris-act-how-it-began-and-how-its-going/) examining the law’s history and the potential chilling effect that the threat of expensive property-rights litigation can have on local-government decisions.

Those protections matter. Government should not be able to arbitrarily eliminate established property rights without consequences. But protecting an existing use or vested right is not the same thing as requiring government to approve substantially greater development rights.

That issue has surfaced locally as well. East Lee News examined the intersection of development and property-rights arguments in [**“Lee County’s Disappointing Decision: Prioritizing Developers Over Residents in Alva’s Rural Corridor.”**](https://eastleenews.com/developers-over-residents-in-alva/) A legitimate Bert Harris claim deserves serious consideration, but invoking “Bert Harris” should not automatically end a land-use discussion any more than invoking “property rights” should.

The larger question is where one person’s property rights meet everyone else’s.

Property rights do not exist in isolation. Development can affect neighboring property through drainage and flooding, put additional vehicles on already congested roads, increase demands on shared water and other resources, and require new publicly funded infrastructure. Once those effects cross the property line, the conversation is no longer solely about the rights of one owner.

That is where **property responsibility** enters the discussion, and it has to work both ways.

If the public wants agricultural land permanently preserved, the public should not expect the farmer to pay the entire price. Floridians can support local agriculture by buying Florida-grown products, while voluntary conservation easements and other incentive-based programs can compensate willing landowners when preservation serves an important public purpose.

Development has costs too. When a developer seeks substantially greater density than a property currently allows, existing residents should not automatically be expected to absorb the cost of roads, drainage, water, schools, emergency services and other infrastructure necessary to accommodate it.

**The farmer shouldn’t be forced to subsidize preservation for the rest of us, but the rest of us shouldn’t be forced to subsidize development either.**

There is also a fair criticism of those who already live here and oppose almost every new project. Florida cannot pull up the drawbridge. Every neighborhood was once undeveloped land. People need places to live, businesses need workers, and workers need housing. Restricting housing supply can contribute to higher prices.

But that doesn’t mean every requested density increase is necessary for affordable housing or that every undeveloped parcel must eventually be developed to its maximum possible intensity. The questions are where growth belongs, how much the infrastructure can handle, what accommodating that growth will cost, and who should pay for it.

That isn’t “no growth.” It’s planning.

Comprehensive plans provide the framework for that planning. They can and should change as populations, economics, transportation networks and community needs change. But if the rules are changed every time they become inconvenient or stand between a developer and a substantially more profitable project, it is fair to ask what purpose the comprehensive plan serves.

Someone purchasing property can examine its zoning, future land-use designation and development limitations before making an investment. Government may later determine that changing those rules serves the broader public interest, but the fact that a change would make the property more valuable should not, by itself, settle the question.

That is also why the influence of large developers belongs in the public discussion. Campaign contributions, lobbyists, and requests for land-use changes do not prove corruption. Developers have the same right to participate in politics as everyone else. But citizens have every right to examine who is financing campaigns, who is requesting changes, what was permitted when property was purchased, who benefits from an approval, and what costs will ultimately be borne by the public.

Those aren’t anti-development questions. They are accountability questions.

I don’t blame the farmer for selling. I don’t blame people for needing houses. Florida cannot stop growing, and developers are not villains simply because they seek profitable investments.

What I reject is the idea that saying “property rights” ends the discussion.

If a project floods neighboring property, puts thousands of additional cars on public roads, requires taxpayers to finance infrastructure, strains shared resources or depends upon repeated government approvals to achieve development beyond what existing rules contemplate, then it affects more than the property being developed. It affects the property, quality of life, and pocketbooks of everyone around it.

The old debate was often framed as **rights versus responsibilities**. Perhaps that is exactly the conversation Florida needs to have again.

The farmer should not be forced to preserve land for everyone else’s benefit without considering the economic consequences. Neither should existing residents be expected to absorb the consequences of development without considering the impacts on them.

**Property rights matter, but so does property responsibility. Protecting property rights does not mean every landowner is entitled to the most profitable use imaginable. It means protecting legitimate rights while remembering that the people on the other side of the property line have rights, too.**

# # # Previous East Lee News Coverage

**Nathan Cochran:** [“The Bert Harris Act – What It Is and What It Isn’t”](https://eastleenews.com/the-bert-harris-act/)

**Nathan Cochran:** [“The Bert Harris Act: How It Began and How It’s Going”](https://eastleenews.com/the-bert-harris-act-how-it-began-and-how-its-going/)

**Amanda Cochran:** [“Lee County’s Disappointing Decision: Prioritizing Developers Over Residents in Alva’s Rural Corridor”](https://eastleenews.com/developers-over-residents-in-alva/)

**James Kennedy:** [“Preserving What’s Left: Real Options for Landowners”](https://eastleenews.com/real-options-for-landowners/)

**James Kennedy:** [“An Open Letter to Alva: Grow What Matters”](https://eastleenews.com/grow-what-matters/)

PHOTO BY JAMES KENNEDY Tortoise Ranch Galleries

07/29/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EadrMryVN/

Building Industry & Business Networking in the East 🏗️
Happening the 5TH WEDNESDAY this month!
Special Guest Speaker
Retired NASA Astronaut Capt. Dominic L. Pudwill Gorie

📅 Fifth Wednesday, July 29th
🕖 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM - Free Music at 8:00 PM
📍 Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Fort Myers, FL 33905

This Wednesday, Don't miss this special Building Industry Alliance / SWFL Business Alliance meeting in the East.

Capt. Gorie is a retired U.S. Navy Captain and veteran of four NASA Space Shuttle missions, including service as Commander of two missions. During his distinguished career, he logged 49 days in space, flew 38 combat missions during Operation Desert Storm, accumulated over 6,700 flight hours in more than 35 aircraft, and completed 600+ aircraft carrier landings before retiring from NASA in 2010.

Thank you to our sponsor, Amanda Cochran For Lee County Commissioner District 5🙌
Amanda is running for Lee County Commissioner, focused on responsible development, traffic and infrastructure solutions, and giving residents a real voice in the decisions shaping Lee County's future.
Learn more or get involved at amandaforlee.com

Thank you to our sponsor, ATI Restoration🙌
ATI Restoration provides restoration and reconstruction services for homes and businesses across Southwest Florida, helping the community recover and rebuild after damage.
Learn more at atirestoration.com

A casual evening bringing together the Building Industry Alliance SWFL (BIASWFL), the Custom and Independent Home Builders Association, and the Lee GOP Dist. 5, for connections, conversations and networking.
Sponsors are welcome. Call (239) 470-5611 or visit swflba.com to get involved.

RSVP or become a sponsor at the link, walk-ins always welcome 👉 https://form.jotform.com/261794975846176
Facebook Event Here 👉 https://www.facebook.com/share/199cdYKyw9/
Call this number for more information 👉 (239) 470-5611

07/22/2026

🏗️ COMMUNITY CANDIDATE MEET-AND-GREET, BUSINESS NETWORKING, & EAST LEE GOP SOCIAL
Join us this coming Wednesday for a special get-together of local business owners, building industry professionals, community members, residents, and candidates for public office.

📅 Wednesday, July 29
🕕 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
🎶 Free music begins at 8:00 PM
📍 Buckingham Blues Bar
5641 Buckingham Road, Fort Myers, FL 33905

This event combines three great opportunities in one evening:

🤝 Candidate Meet-and-Greet

🏗️ Building Industry and Business Networking
FLAG East Lee GOP Social

Join members and supporters of the Building Industry Alliance SWFL, East Lee GOP and the Buckingham Community Association, along with local business owners, community leaders and residents from across East Lee County.

All candidates are welcome.

Candidates will have an opportunity to meet residents, introduce themselves, discuss the offices they are seeking and hear directly from the community about growth, development, traffic, infrastructure, public safety and the future of Lee County.

Business owners, contractors, builders, real estate professionals, community advocates, candidates and residents are all encouraged to attend.

Call (239) 470-5611 or visit swflba.com to get involved.

RSVP or become a sponsor here. Walk-ins are always welcome:
👉 https://form.jotform.com/261794975846176

Facebook event:
👉 https://www.facebook.com/share/199cdYKyw9/

For more information, call:
📞 (239) 470-5611

07/10/2026

Building Industry & Business Networking in the East 🏗️

📅 Wednesday, July 29th
🕖 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM - Free Music at 8:00 PM
📍 Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Fort Myers, FL 33905

Sponsors are welcome. Call (239) 470-5611 or visit swflba.com to get involved.

RSVP or become a sponsor at the link, walk-ins always welcome 👉 https://form.jotform.com/261794975846176
Facebook Event Here 👉 https://www.facebook.com/share/199cdYKyw9/

Call this number for more information 👉 (239) 470-5611

A casual evening bringing together the Building Industry Alliance SWFL (BIASWFL), the Custom and Independent Home Builders Association, and the Lee GOP Dist. 5, for connections, conversations and networking.

07/07/2026

Tuesday Lombardough Pizza & Beer Business Networking

📅 Every Tuesday
🕡 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
📍 17081 S Tamiami Trl, Ft. Myers, FL 33908

Call Jeannie for more information 👉 239-355-7468

One of our own members, Jeannie Demmer, hosts a weekly business networking night at Lombardough Pizza & Beer in collaboration with SWFLBA.

Bring your business cards, bring your appetite, and come ready to connect with the people and companies that make up our incredible Southwest Florida business community.
Good pizza, cold beer, and genuine connections every single week. This is exactly the kind of evening that reminds you why showing up matters.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1JxqSRQCHB/

Tuesday Lombardough Pizza & Beer Business Networking

📅 Every Tuesday
🕡 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
📍 17081 S Tamiami Trl, Ft. Myers, FL 33908

Call Jeannie for more information 👉 239-355-7468

One of our own members, Jeannie Demmer, hosts a weekly business networking night at Lombardough Pizza & Beer in collaboration with SWFLBA.

Bring your business cards, bring your appetite, and come ready to connect with the people and companies that make up our incredible Southwest Florida business community.
Good pizza, cold beer, and genuine connections every single week. This is exactly the kind of evening that reminds you why showing up matters.

07/02/2026

Plenty of events happening THIS JULY and we want to see you there! 🎉 Here is everything happening this month with SWFL Business Alliance. Come connect, collaborate, and have a good time doing it. 🤝

MONTHLY EVENTS 📅

Office Summer Series 🌞
Thu, July 2nd | 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
9681 Gladiolus Dr, Suite 211, Fort Myers
6th Annual 4th of July Freedom Fest 🎆
Sat, July 4th | 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Victory Town Center, 1201 Taylor Ln Ext, Lehigh Acres

LaBelle Networking Lunch 🍽️
Mon, July 6th | 12:00 PM
30 N Hall St, LaBelle

Florida's Congressional District 19 Debate Forum 🗳️
Tue, July 7th | 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers

Meet & Greet with Amanda Cochran 👋
Wed, July 8th | 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Coconut Jack's Waterfront Grille, 5370 Bonita Beach Rd SW, Bonita Springs
Thu, July 9th | 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Farmers Market Restaurant, 2736 Edison Ave, Fort Myers

Meet & Greet with Amanda Cochran 👋
Mon, July 13th | 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Mug n' Jugs Family Grille, 5512 8th St W, Lehigh Acres
Wed, July 15th | 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Blue Giraffe Island Bar & Grille, 2075 Periwinkle Way #14, Sanibel

Ladies Lead Luncheon 💜
Fri, July 17th | 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Cantina Laredo, 5200 Big Pine Way, Fort Myers

Building Industry Networking in The East 🏗️
Wed, July 22nd | 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Fort Myers

WEEKLY EVENTS 🔁
Monday Kingdom Collaborators ☕
Every Monday | 9:00 AM
First Watch, 2514 Santa Barbara Blvd S, Cape Coral

Tuesday Lombardough Pizza & Beer Networking 🍕🍺
Every Tuesday | 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
17081 S Tamiami Trl, Fort Myers

Wednesday SWFLBA Lunch 🥪
Every Wednesday | 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Wings and Rings, 11751 S Cleveland Ave, Fort Myers

Friday SWFLBA Breakfast 🥞
Every Friday | 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM
EA Bake, 12450 Metro Pkwy, Fort Myers

RSVP at SWFLBA.COM or call Katrina at (239) 470-5611 📞
We will not be meeting during the weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1D68WgW9v5/

Plenty of events happening THIS JULY and we want to see you there! 🎉 Here is everything happening this month with SWFL Business Alliance. Come connect, collaborate, and have a good time doing it. 🤝

MONTHLY EVENTS 📅

Office Summer Series 🌞
Thu, July 2nd | 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
9681 Gladiolus Dr, Suite 211, Fort Myers
6th Annual 4th of July Freedom Fest 🎆
Sat, July 4th | 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Victory Town Center, 1201 Taylor Ln Ext, Lehigh Acres

LaBelle Networking Lunch 🍽️
Mon, July 6th | 12:00 PM
30 N Hall St, LaBelle

Florida's Congressional District 19 Debate Forum 🗳️
Tue, July 7th | 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers

Meet & Greet with Amanda Cochran 👋
Wed, July 8th | 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Coconut Jack's Waterfront Grille, 5370 Bonita Beach Rd SW, Bonita Springs
Thu, July 9th | 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Farmers Market Restaurant, 2736 Edison Ave, Fort Myers

Meet & Greet with Amanda Cochran 👋
Mon, July 13th | 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Mug n' Jugs Family Grille, 5512 8th St W, Lehigh Acres
Wed, July 15th | 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Blue Giraffe Island Bar & Grille, 2075 Periwinkle Way #14, Sanibel

Ladies Lead Luncheon 💜
Fri, July 17th | 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Cantina Laredo, 5200 Big Pine Way, Fort Myers

Building Industry Networking in The East 🏗️
Wed, July 22nd | 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Fort Myers

WEEKLY EVENTS 🔁
Monday Kingdom Collaborators ☕
Every Monday | 9:00 AM
First Watch, 2514 Santa Barbara Blvd S, Cape Coral

Tuesday Lombardough Pizza & Beer Networking 🍕🍺
Every Tuesday | 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
17081 S Tamiami Trl, Fort Myers

Wednesday SWFLBA Lunch 🥪
Every Wednesday | 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Wings and Rings, 11751 S Cleveland Ave, Fort Myers

Friday SWFLBA Breakfast 🥞
Every Friday | 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM
EA Bake, 12450 Metro Pkwy, Fort Myers

RSVP at SWFLBA.COM or call Katrina at (239) 470-5611 📞
We will not be meeting during the weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's.