Local News
* Allegiant Air
Allegiant Air is planning on making Punta Gorda their base of operations. With Direct Air out of the picture, they will be adding new routes to Ft. Wayne and South Bend, Indiana, as well as Niagara Falls, New York. These will begin at the end of June. In addition, they will be providing twice weekly service year 'round. Allegiant currently offers flights to Lexington, Greenville and Knoxville.
*Mote Marine
The Punta Gorda City Council has approved funds for start-up costs, business planning and architectural planning associated with supporting Mote Marine's possible opening in Punta Gorda. These are tasks that must be done prior to Mote's board of trustees approval to commit to the project. They are asking for $35,000 to accomplish these tasks.
If Mote does come to Punta Gorda it is estimated that it could bring in approximately $34 million to the area. It would also be an additional draw for developing the remaining land in downtown Punta Gorda.
*Cheney Brothers
In October, Cheney Brothers will be constructiong the road access to a parcel of land they have acquired near the Punta Gorda airport. This is the first step to building the $250,000 sq. ft distribution center. Construction of the food center will probably begin in about a year and take about two years to complete.
*Harborwalk
The City of Punta Gorda recently reached an agreement with the Punta Gorda Hotel -on the corner of Hwy 41 South and Retta Esplanade- to link the area behind the hotel with a "ring around the city" walkway that is being constructed along the waterfront.
In order to do this, a second seawall with a wide cap will be constructed adjacent to the existing seawall-thus extending the walkway several feet over the water. This portion will be 8.5 feet wide compared to the 10 foot width of the rest of the walkway.