The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau’s weekly newsletter is your resource for news and best practices to help you navigate COVID-19 in the days and weeks ahead.

Business Relaunch grant program closes June 26

This week, businesses have a final opportunity to apply for help through the LeeCARES Business Relaunch grant program. The application period will close at 8 p.m. Friday, June 26. The county will then move to its next phase of assistance to businesses. The Business Rehire program opens July 6 to qualifying businesses and some nonprofits in Lee County that are not publicly traded, with a special focus on 501(c)(19) veterans organizations and 501(c)(3) organizations. The intention of the program is allow 4,000 people to be rehired. 

Applications for LeeCARES assistance programs must be completed online at https://leeflcares.com/. For residents who have questions about the application process, please call 239-533-CARE.

Bokeelia deli owner offers free meals to unemployed

Robin Lilly knows what it's like to own a business during uncertain times. In 2008, when she opened her Bokeelia Island deli, Little Lilly's, the Great Recession devastated the local economy. Twelve years later, during the coronavirus pandemic, she has found a way to help ease the pain of others.

Brewery hosts Juneteenth events

Millennial Brewing partnered with Bridging the Gap of Southwest Florida for a series of events for Juneteenth weekend.

New Wine Room set for July opening downtown

The Wine Room, founded by Sarah Newcomb at 1544 Broadway Ave., will offer more than 30 varieties of wines, including five from a California private label that will have unique and locally significant names like Caloosahatchee Chardonnay and Music Walk Merlot. It will also include a nonprofit donation component.

New podcast launches 
We're happy to announce that Shellcast, the podcast of The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel is officially available on our website and Apple Podcasts.

Listen to interviews with:

• Dorrie Hipschman, executive director of The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum
• Volunteers with CCFW Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife at the Burrowing Owl Festival
• Capt. Brian Holaway of Captain Brian On The Water - Sanibel/Captiva Tours

Webinar archive

• June 12 - VCB's Road to Recovery, webinar #2
• May 28 - LODGING on Demand: Getting leisure travel back on track
• May 21 - VCB's Virtual Hurricane Workshop
• May 15 - VCB's Road to Recovery webinar #1

• Lee County: LeeCARES information, COVID-19 updates, beach openings, economic recovery resource portal and United Way 211 hotline
• Lee County VCB: Virtual vacation, at-home activities, education & resources
• Lee County Economic Development: South Lee County Development Activity Map
• Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association: Highlights of the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act
• Longwoods International: Travel Sentiment Study Wave 14
• MMGY Global: COVID-19 travel insights report
• Northstar Meetings Group: Bi-weekly meeting planner pulse survey
• TravelWriting 2.0: The future of press trips for travel writers and destinations