Cape Coral Economic Development and News

National News:  

2026 is starting off with a BUYER'S market and is picking up momentum! 

Cape Coral Makes Top Lists in 2017

Forbes:  #1 Fastest Growing city in the US

Forbes:  #1 Metropolitan area for Job Growth

Forbes:  #1 Future Job Growth

Forbes:  #10 Housing Investment Cities

Livibility.com:  #3 Most Affordable City in Florida

IHS Global:  #1 Anticipated Job Gains

Gallup Well-Being Index:  #19 "Happiest Cities" in the US

SmartAsset.com:  #9 Best cities for Pizza Lovers

SmartAsset.com:  #5 Top Cities for Boat Owners

SmartAsset.com:  #9 Top Cities where Millennials are Buying

Allstate:  #4 America's best Driver's Report

US News and World Report:  #6 Best Place to Retire

Business Insider:  #17 Safest Cities in America

American Lung Association:  #1 Cleanest area for Ozone in the US

Cape Coral News: 

2026 Updates:

Utilities Expansion Project:  Section North 2 (north of Pine Island Rd) is completed.   North 1 is well underway during 2024/2025 and finishing in 2026 (projected) at which time North 3, west of Burnt Store up to Kismet Pkwy will begin.  Latest projection for North 3 is completion in 2028. 

The City of Cape Coral has decided they will purchase the land, comprising of the old Golf Course located north of Cape Coral Pkwy and east of Country Club Blvd. 

The Real Estate Market is a buyer's market in 2026.  The multiple offer frenzy of 2021 through May 2022 is done.  Demand was HIGHEST EVER SEEN and inventory of homes for sale was VERY low 2021-May 2022.  The approximate Absorption Rate for current inventory being sold at today's sales rate is estimated at about 7 months at the beginning of 2026.  New construction new permits have decreased in 2026.  New build cycle time has improved dramatically, but material and labor costs are still much higher than 2018/2019 for example.

Major Projects:  Bimini Basin Project in the SE Cape located near Cape Coral Pkwy and Palm Tree Blvd.  You can Google Bimini Basin Project Cape Coral to get links to updated information.  Key enhancements for the 48.32 acre development will include a marina, retail shops, green space, commercial, entertainment and some residential development.  2026 new buildings and restaurants are completed.

A major 48 acre project in the NW Cape, primarily located west of Old Burnt Store Rd. between Embers Pkwy and Tropicana Pkwy will be the Seven Islands.  You can Google Seven Islands Cape Coral to get links to updated.  We should start seeing construction come out of the ground in 2026!!  The concepts include boat slips, marina, luxury condos, retail and other.  UPDATE:  The City has now sold the Seven Islands for $20M to Gulf Gateway Resort and Marina LLC.  $1 Billion waterfront community to include a marina, 240 room hotel with 25,000 square feet of meeting space, a commercial village and 995 residential units, mostly condominiums in buildings up to 8 stories.  This will create 9,500 jobs and will add $6.5M per year to the City's tax base.

Tropicana Park:  Project will be completed during 2026!  Located in the NW Cape on Old Burnt Store Rd at the end of Tropicana Pkwy.

Newest gated community will be Bella Vista at Kismet Lakes off Burnt Store Rd - 28 estate homes on 1/2 acre lots.

Trend for investment by national organizations continues up with retailers dominating and Pine Island Rd. is the #1 place to be.

More convenience stores, more fuel stations and big box retailers are coming.  Assisted living facilities are still hot and a lifestyle shopping center is coming.   

Sands Estates - which includes 10 luxury, semi-custom homes on 10-13,000 sq' lots, and a 52 unit luxury condominium complex on Cape Coral Pkwy is developed.

The city has brought the Wicked Dolphin Rum Distillery to SW Cape Coral and the city is working to bring in microbreweries and brew pubs.

The Resort at Tranquillity Lake at Burnt Store Rd/Durden Pkwy is a "five-star", luxury resort for Class A motorcoach owners.  "Condos on wheels" ranging from $400,000 - $2.5 million. 

South Florida Canoe and Kayak Club - a paddle sport facility coming to a 12 acre site just north of Sunsplash.  It will train youth and adults in the international sport of canoeing and kayaking and other water sports.  The facility will include a boat house, physical therapy and weight rooms specific to water sports, men's and women's locker rooms, a 250-capacity conference room, a yoga studio, and athlete housing.  The idea is to also provide training facilities for US Olympic athletes.

Past News Stories:

NEW Home Construction Permits for Cape Coral:  Fewer new construction permits are being pulled in 2026 first quarter.  Interest rates are between 5.99 - 6.5% at the end of the first quarter 2026.

The Burnt Store Road widening project completed a 4 lane stretch from Tropicana Parkway to Van Buren Parkway.  The main project will span from  Pine Island Road to Van Buren Parkway.  2025 Update: The widening project has been completed thus far.