July 2026 Cleared 4 Takeoff Newsletter – Workforce Edition


July 1st, 2026

The Workforce Issue

Cleared for Takeoff

July 2026 Monthly Newsletter

Covering June 2026 activity

Advanced manufacturing training center groundbreaking

Welcome to July

What is moving in Charlotte County this month?

This month, the conversation kept coming back to talent, training and the businesses that are building here. From a new advanced manufacturing training center to local workforce stories, manufacturing momentum, 221 new business tax receipts and small business connections, this issue gives readers the updates worth opening without turning the newsletter into a long recap of everything that happened.

What Everyone’s Talking About

Workforce and business growth

The Training Center That Could Change the Talent Conversation

Charlotte County marked a major workforce milestone in June with the groundbreaking of the Southwest Florida Advanced Manufacturing Training Center at Enterprise Charlotte Airport Park. The project, led by Charlotte County Public Schools and Charlotte Technical College, is expected to support hands-on training in advanced manufacturing, CNC, welding, aerospace and other technical fields. For employers, this is more than a school facility. It is local talent infrastructure in one of the county’s most strategic business corridors.

Why people are talking about it:

It gives the workforce conversation something visible and practical: a place where students, adult learners and employers can connect around high-demand technical careers.

READ MORE

Good to Know

Charlotte County Snapshot

new business tax receipts filed in June
A pulse check on local activity
miles of natural shoreline
Explore quality of life
parks and recreational areas
Quality of place matters
local products recognized
manufacturing plays a large role in charlotte county
RSVPs for the June networking event
New business connection
business surveys completed
Listening to local business needs

What’s New

work-based learning Charlotte County

Career visibility

Students Cannot Pursue Careers They Never See

Work-based learning helps students understand what local careers actually look like and why early exposure can help students connect classroom learning to real opportunities in Charlotte County.

READ MORE

local talent pipeline in Charlotte County

Local talent

The Talent Charlotte County Needs May Already Be Here

Students, professionals, transitioning workers, veterans and entrepreneurs are part of the county’s existing talent base. The challenge is helping people see the opportunities close to home.

READ MORE
Priya Ahluwalia 40 Under 40 feature
40 Under 40

Priya Ahluwalia Shows What Young Leadership Looks Like

Through 40 Under 40, Charlotte County Economic Development highlighted how young professionals are building careers, businesses and community connections here.

READ MORE

Business Buzz

Advanced manufacturing in Charlotte County

Made in Charlotte County

Fourteen Local Products Show the Range of Manufacturing Here

Fourteen Charlotte County products were represented in the Coolest Thing Made in Florida competition, a statewide celebration of Florida-made products, manufacturers and innovation. The larger story is still worth reading: Charlotte County companies are making products tied to marine life, pool and outdoor living, heavy equipment, energy resilience, precision components and everyday problem-solving.

That is the kind of business story that helps people see manufacturing as more than buildings and machinery. It is craftsmanship, skilled work, practical innovation and local companies creating products with a real market.

EXPLORE MANUFACTURING IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY

Keep Your Eye On

Workforce

Advanced Manufacturing Momentum

Between the training center and the number of local products getting attention, manufacturing continues to be one of the clearest stories to watch.

 READ THE UPDATE
Talent Pipeline

Career Awareness Earlier in the Pipeline

The more students see real jobs, real employers and real career paths, the easier it becomes to connect local talent with local opportunity.

 SEE THE EMPLOYER GUIDE
Business Support

Small Business Resources

Upcoming workshops, business card exchanges and partner events give local businesses more ways to find answers without starting from scratch.

 VIEW UPCOMING EVENTS

Business Connections

New Business Networking Event Brings Entrepreneurs Together

Charlotte County Economic Development hosted the New Businesses Networking Event in Port Charlotte, bringing together entrepreneurs, small business owners, innovators and resource partners. SCORE, Tradesman Place, the Florida SBDC at FGCU and CareerSource were among the community partners connected to the event, giving attendees direct access to people who can help them navigate growth, hiring, training and next steps.

Quick pulse: The June event drew about 60 attendees and generated 34 completed business surveys, giving the EDO a clearer look at what newer businesses are asking for right now.

VIEW UPCOMING EVENTS

In the News

Workforce coverage

Skilled Trades Became the Headline

Regional coverage helped explain why the Southwest Florida Advanced Manufacturing Training Center matters beyond a groundbreaking. The story is about welders, CNC operators, advanced manufacturing workers and the businesses that need a stronger local pipeline.

READ THE COVERAGE

Manufacturing coverage

Local Manufacturing Had a Statewide Moment

The announcement that 14 Charlotte County products were part of the Coolest Thing Made in Florida competition gave residents and business audiences a concrete look at the variety of products made locally.

READ THE COUNTY RELEASE

Dive Deeper

AI tools moved from concept to practical business support.

A June workshop with the Florida SBDC at FGCU focused on practical AI applications for small businesses.

OPEN STORY

Women in Aviation showcased career pathways.

Students, veterans, adult career changers and workforce partners explored opportunities tied to aviation careers.

OPEN STORY

Manufacturing workforce momentum continued.

Technical education, airport-area growth and employer demand are shaping a stronger advanced manufacturing conversation.

OPEN STORY

Upcoming Opportunities

August 13, 2026

Credit Workshop

A business workshop scheduled for Thursday, August 13, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

VIEW EVENT

August 17 to 18, 2026

2026 Small Business Success Summit

The Florida SBDC Network summit is scheduled at Sunseeker Resort in Charlotte Harbor.

VIEW EVENT

September 15, 2026

Q3 Business Card Exchange

A quarterly networking event for new and growing businesses in Port Charlotte.

VIEW EVENT

October 8, 2026

Access to Capital Workshop

A business workshop scheduled for Thursday, October 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

VIEW EVENT

One Question

What workforce challenge is your business facing today?

Charlotte County Economic Development works with businesses, educators and partners to support long-term growth. Share what you are seeing, what roles are hard to fill and what resources would help your business move forward.

CONTACT THE EDO

Charlotte County Economic Development

Your Business. Cleared for Takeoff.