Time: 11:30am - 1pm Date: 8/11/2015Location: Pelican Preserve Clubhouse, Treeline Ave. at Colonial Blvd. Fort Myers
"Putting Existing Regional Land Uses and Development Patterns into Context" will be presented by Mark Morton, of U.S. Sugar Corp. Sponsored by GHD Services, Inc.
As Southwest Florida continues to grow, planning for urban development is an ongoing process. Putting the existing regional land uses and development patterns in context will be explained by Mark Morton, Director of Strategic Real Estate and Business Development with U.S. Sugar Corp. Morton’s presentation will address the importance of balancing Southwest Florida’s unique environment with population growth, real estate dynamics, and infrastructure needs. The primary factors in the region’s economy and land use – tourism, retirees, and agriculture – are changing and landowners, planners, real estate professionals, and governments need to understand and adapt to the changes. Based in Clewiston, U.S. Sugar Corp. is one of Florida’s largest landowners and a major producer of sugar cane and citrus products. It also owns and operates a short line railroad. The company farms over 200,000 acres in Hendry, Glades and Palm Beach Counties, employs over 1,700 people, and plays an important role in the region’s economic development and environmental restoration. Mark Morton has been actively involved in Florida’s economic, workforce, infrastructure, manufacturing, and trade and logistics development. He serves on the Glades Economic Development Council, Florida Heartland Regional Economic Initiative, Florida Chamber Foundation, and Florida Department of Transportation’s Freight Mobility and Trade Plan development committee. The meeting is sponsored by GHD Services, Inc. and will begin promptly at 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday, August 11th in the Osprey Room at Pelican Preserve’s Clubhouse, on Treeline Avenue at Colonial Boulevard, one mile east of I-75 exit 136 in Fort Myers. Admission is $30.00 for members and $40.00 for guests, which includes lunch. Reservations are required by August 5th.