CAPE CORAL, Fla. – Cape Coral preparing to be twice its size; is starting work on a new economic development plan

The City of Cape Coral continues to be a major draw to people moving to Florida. The city grows at record paces, putting us on the map for one of the fastest-growing cities in the country.

Cape leaders from nearly every department are meeting with a consulting group studying how to keep up with this growth and pull more people and businesses in.

The bottom line is, it’s going to take a lot of work – and a lot of money.

The study started with New Jersey-based DCG Corplan Consulting LLC to produce an Economic Development Strategic Plan, to be released in 2024.

“It’s very hard to get around because of the arteries that go through,” said Cape business owner and resident Christy Connelly. “Yeah, it is a little bit rough with the locals, but I mean, I love the idea.”

“Maybe more parks-like stuff that we can do for free that gets us involved. I like all the pickleball courts,” said Mackenzie Faron.

Planners are already looking at Cape’s population booming from 210 thousand to an estimated 400 thousand people in the next few decades, with homes hot for sale on every corner you turn.

“That’s the population of Tulsa. That’s bigger than the population of Tampa, at the moment” managing director Bruce Hoch at DCG, Coreplan, told NBC2.  

Hoch is leading the economic development strategic plan for the city, getting the city into the next 10 to 20 years.

“But can we create enough economic activity, jobs primarily to keep a younger employment base active and wanting to come here and companies wanting to come here with the population that is engaged,” said Hoch.

A great number of Southwest Floridians live in Cape Coral, taking the bridges to Fort Myers and other parts of the area to work. Instead, part of this plan is to find how to get those jobs to stay in Downtown Cape. 

“Fort Myers can attract its own, its own business. my job is to make cape coral a competitive city,” Hoch explained.

“You know me, it started off as a really nice bedroom community, and it’s turning into this metropolis,” said Cape resident Tami Fitzgerald. “I think that there’s no planning. it’s just all about bringing in money.”

“Do we want to be, you know, this major metropolis?” Fitzgerald asked.

Just as important, the city wants to be more resilient – especially in the future – and unavoidable flooding for the city on canals. The problem is the price tag when looking at major infrastructure needs like connecting all homes to city water and sewers, expanding roadways, and building up the downtown areas.

“Because it’s the state has to spend money,” Hoch said. “Climate will continue to be the issue. the hurricanes are probably going to be getting stronger.”

“We can’t rely on just an input or an influx of wealthy retirees,” Hoch continued.

In a statement to NBC2, City of Cape Coral Economic Development & Business Development Officer Sharon Woodberry said,

“Just like Cape Coral has a strategic plan in place to define a vision and provide a plan for growth, it’s important for Economic Business and Development to have the same. Cape Coral is one of the fastest-growing cities in Florida, and it’s imperative that we have a well-laid plan to provide for economic growth that will keep pace with the increase in our City’s population.

Our goals are to identify and prioritize key areas of focus to promote sustainable economic growth, attract new investments, foster innovation, and enhance our City’s competitiveness.”

 “It’s getting more expensive, too. so, you know, it totally is a concern,” resident Bruch Echoff told NBC2.

“It was just not thought out. How much of a growth there would be,” said Christy Connelly. 

“I think there are more things that can still happen, but I’d love to see some mid-rise housing and some and an office tower. I really would because I’d love to look at the skyline. That’s Cape Coral. You know, I don’t know how the public feels about this. Obviously, things that are probably going to make a lot of people upset,” said Hoch.

This new economic development plan should be ready in 2024. Hoch said they plan to work with the city to have public input in the process, including seeing where the city can add more greenspace and walkable amenities.