What’s Happening in Southwest Florida – Labor Day Update 

 🌴 What’s Happening in Southwest Florida – Labor Day Update 

Southwest Florida is always evolving, with exciting projects, record-breaking numbers, and changes that can impact both residents and future homeowners. Here are some of the biggest updates happening right now in our area:

🏖 Fort Myers Beach Pier Rebuild

Lee County has released the new renderings for the Fort Myers Beach Pier — and it’s going to be bigger and better than ever! The new design will stretch 1,000 feet long (about 70% longer than before) and be 12 feet wide (50% wider). Construction is scheduled to begin in late 2025 with completion projected for 2026. You can check out the full renderings here

 ✈️ Record-Breaking Florida Tourism

Tourism continues to thrive! Florida welcomed a record 34.4 million visitors in the 2nd quarter of 2025. Impressively, 91.5% of those visitors traveled domestically, but international travel is also rebounding strongly with an 11.4% increase year-over-year. That includes 2.3 million international visitors — with 640,000 Canadians making the trip to Florida. More details are available here.

This steady demand is great news for our local economy — and for homeowners considering short-term rentals or investment opportunities.

🍔 Whataburger is Coming to Fort Myers

Foodies, take note! Whataburger is opening its first Southwest Florida location at 12916 S. Cleveland Ave. near College Parkway. This Texas favorite has a loyal following, and its arrival here is another sign of our area’s growth and appeal. Learn more here.

💰 Federal Reserve & Interest Rates

Big financial news: Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell recently hinted at a potential shift in policy that could lead to lower federal rates. While the Fed doesn’t directly set mortgage rates, its policies heavily influence them through investor behavior. If rates do come down, it could mean more favorable borrowing conditions for homebuyers and investors alike. Stay tuned — this is one to watch closely. More coverage here.

Southwest Florida continues to grow, adapt, and attract people from all over the world. Whether it’s development projects, tourism milestones, or financial shifts that could impact real estate, I’ll keep you updated on how these changes matter for our community and your real estate goals.

🌴 Thinking of buying, selling, or investing in SWFL? Let’s connect!

Josh Bohling REALTOR LPT Realty