Verizon, Florida TaxWatch, and Collaboratory will recognize Southwest Florida’s small business resilience following Hurricane Ian’s devastation of the area in late September 2022. On Tuesday, Feb. 28, at 4 p.m., representatives from these organizations will discuss a $250,000 donation from Verizon, which was distributed by Florida TaxWatch and Collaboratory as $10,000 grants to 25 small businesses impacted by the storm in December 2022. There will also be a community update from local elected officials.

The event will be at Collaboratory at 2031 Jackson St. in Fort Myers.

On hand will be Mike Giallombardo, State Representative, District 77, Cape Coral; Brian Hamman, Commissioner and Chairman, District 4, Lee County; Jorge Zapata, Director of SMB Retail, Verizon; Dominic M. Calabro, President & CEO, Florida TaxWatch; Sarah Owen, President and CEO, Collaboratory as well as select small business grant recipients.

About Verizon

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) was formed on June 30, 2000 and is one of the world’s leading providers of technology and communications services. Headquartered in New York City and with a presence around the world, Verizon generated revenues of $133.6 billion in 2021.The company offers data, video and voice services and solutions on its award-winning networks and platforms, delivering on customers’ demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity, security and control.

About Florida TaxWatch

As an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit government watchdog and taxpayer research institute for more than forty years and the trusted eyes and ears of Florida taxpayers, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) works to improve the productivity and accountability of Florida government. Its research recommends productivity enhancements and explains the statewide impact of fiscal and economic policies and practices on citizens and businesses. FTW is supported by its membership via voluntary, tax-deductible donations and private grants and does not accept government funding. Donations provide a solid, lasting foundation that has enabled FTW to bring about a more effective, responsive government that is more accountable to, and productive for, the citizens it serves since 1979. For more information, please visit floridataxwatch.org.

About Collaboratory

Collaboratory is committed to coordinating the solving of all of Southwest Florida’s social problems on an 18-year deadline including homelessness, poverty, mental illness, racism, illiteracy and more. We plan to do this with the entire community working together including people of all ages, colors, abilities, beliefs and imaginations across all five counties. We’re committed to coordinating all of this on a massive scale, in the way NASA coordinated the hundreds of thousands of businesses, universities, institutions and people to get us to the moon in nine years. We’re not oblivious to people saying this is ridiculous, insane and crazy but we’re driven by the inspiration of all those great figures in history who have come before us to achieve things no one ever thought remotely possible. We’re building the largest, most democratized living laboratory for community problem-solving in American history.

Collaboratory was founded in 1976 as the Southwest Florida Community Foundation. It has made over $100 million in grants since then and is home to more than 650 philanthropic funds. It is upon that legacy of a commitment to community we plan to fulfill on that mission at the level of its greatest expression. As Collaboratory, we will finish what we started.

To learn more and get involved, call 239-274-5900 or visit collaboratory.org.

Source: Florida TaxWatch