Naples Florida
NAPLES, COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA…
….are located in Southwest Florida at the center of a vibrant community. Easily accessible to major metropolitan areas, Collier County remains untroubled by traditional urban woes.
With a total area of 2,305 square miles, and a land area of 2,025 square miles, Collier is the largest county east of the Mississippi River, and is larger than the states of Rhode island and Delaware. Due to the size of the area, there are four major areas North Naples, Central Naples, South Naples, West of US 41, and Golden Gate Estates, also there is a new town called Ave Maria.
Here, a population of extraordinary sophistication lives in harmony with an environment of awesome beauty for businesses, their owners and employees alike. Collier County is an opportunity without comparison. Located on Florida’s unspoiled Southwest Coast, Naples is blessed with an unparalleled combination of business potential and livability. As one of the fas growing metropolitan areas in the United States, our community abounds with an affluent population and enjoys significant business, capital and human resources.
Naples provides an exceptional atmosphere for business expansion and development, with a favorable tax climate, sophisticated tourism industry and a growing workforce to meet the changing demands of the business community. Most importantly, this area is able to balance dynamic business opportunities with quality of life and cultural opportunities that are unique only to Naples, Florida.
Collier County is one of the fas growing regions in the United States. The population was 202,903 in 1997 and is projected to increase to 315,900 by 2015.
BUSINESS INVESTMENT INCENTIVES
Florida’s financial incentives are significant:
No personal income, inheritance or lifetime gifts tax.
Corporate income tax of 5.5% of net income.
The federal taxable income apportioned to Florida with a $5,000 exemption.
Use tax of 6% excluding purchase of machinery and equipment by most relocating or expending manufacturers.
Special exemptions also exist for film industry, corporate headquarters and certain research & development activities.
Job credits are available for certain types of employees.
Local banks are actively lending through various Small Business Administration (SBA) programs.
Industrial Development Revenue Bond financing is available for infrastructure development of projects up to $10 million.
Florida is a Right to Work State. Union membership cannot be a prerequisite for employment.
Enterprise Zones, located in Immokolee and Everglades City, offer corporate and sales/use tax incentives.
EDUCATION
All schools are fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
4836 of teachers in Collier County have a master’s degree or higher.
All schools have guidance counselors and media specialists.
All elementary schools have full-day kindergarten.
All elementary schools have Elementary School Program Specialists.
Average teacher salaries rank among the top three in the state each year.
GTAT -1996
Collier County students scored equal to or above the National and State median score in Reading Comprehension and Mathematics on the Grade 10 Assessment Test (GTAT), and on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).
Collier
Florida
US
GTAT -1996
Reading 49
47
50
Math 61
54
50
SAT
Communications 527
498
496
Mathematics 537
496
508
1995-96 Expenditure per pupil: $5,104.00 per year in Collier County.
1996-97 Operating Budget: $159,539,681.00
1996-97 Capital Outlay: $147,602,617.00 – includes new facilities and remodeling of older facilities. Serving over 30,000 students at 37 sites around the county.
A specialized post secondary institute, Lorenzo Walker Institute of Technology was designed primarily to provide certificate programs and continuing workforce development courses to people who have completed high school or left school before graduation.
For those desiring certification programs, the
HIGHER EDUCATION
The higher educational institutions servicing Collier County include an expended community college and several universities offering two and four-year degrees as well or graduate and master degree programs:
Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) is located in Southwest Florida on Interstate 75, just 20 minutes from Naples. FGCU opened for the Fall semester 1997 and offers 17 undergraduate and 9 graduate programs with an emphasis on the integrated use of technology FGCU is Florida’s tenth state university.
Edison College has expanded to include a 50 acre campus in Collier County offering study facilities for an Associates degree in Arts and Sciences; including. accounting, business, computers and nursing.
International College is a four-year college with Associates and Bachelor degrees in accounting, computers, and business is based in North Naples.
Ave Maria University is a four-year Roman Catholic University located about 25 miles east of Naples. The university has a full curriculum of liberal arts, sciences and engineering programs.
Walden University is Naples based while Barry University, School of Adult and Continuing Education has a nearby Ft Myers campus. Lastly, Nova Southeastern University offer bachelor of arts in education or professional management, and several masters programs.
A junior college offering associate of science degrees and shorter-term programs in Southwest Florida College located in Fort Myers.
CULTURE AND RECREATION
The Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts. opened in late 1989 and includes concert halls and art galleries and serves as the home of the Naples-Marco Philharmonic Orchestra and the Gulf Coast home of the Miami Ballet. It offers the full range of activities from opera to pop to Broadway plays and lectures. 400 audience performances were scheduled for the last season.
World class art galleries, art and craft shows.
Fifty miles of coastal sandy beaches and famous shelling.
With more than 50 golf courses, Naples is historically known as the Golf Capital of the United States.
Boating and fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, numerous bays and canals and the Ten Thousand Islands.
Shopping, from quaint villages to major malls.
Attractions Include: the Collier County Historical Museum, Teddy Bear Museum, Naples Zoo – Carribean Gardens, and Florida Sports Park.
Numerous festivals and events throughout the year.
5 Florida State Parks, 2 National parks and numerous Collier County and Naples Parks.
New Resident Information:
* Establishing Residency
Six ways to establish Florida residency
* Obtain a Florida Driver’s License and Automobile Registration
* Register to vote
* File your Federal Income Tax Return in Florida
* File the Intangible Tax Return in Florida
* Dedraft your will showing your Florida residence and have it notarized
* File a declaration of domicile with the Collier County Records Division
* Voter Registration
You must be at least 18 years old, a citizen of the United States and a resident of Collier County, you are eligible to become a registered voter. You can register to vote year round, however you must register at least 30 days before an election to be eligible to vote in that election. You can register at the Collier County Elections Office in the Collier County Government Center, also there satellite registration sites throughout the county.
* Driver’s Licenses Driver’s Licenses
The State of Florida requires that new residents obtain a Florida driver’s license within 30 days of establishing residence, becoming employed or registering a child in school. Drivers must be at least 16 years old to qualify for a driver’s license; 15 years old to get a restricted permit. First time drivers must complete a drug and alcohol education class, which is offered at most high schools. Those under the age of 18 must also furnish a form ESE570 which proves that they are either in school or a high school graduate. To obtain a Florida Driver’s license, you must first register your automobile in the State of Florida. Bring proof of your Florida registration, your social security card and your valid, out-of-state license to the Dept. of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Drivers with a valid license are just required to take and pass a vision . If your license has expired, be prepared to take a traffic laws , along with vision, hearing, and road s.
* License Plates and Vehicle Registration License Plates and Vehicle Registration
Florida tags must be purchased within 10 days of establishing residence, employment or enrollment of a child in school. You’ll also need your vehicle title registration, proof of insurance, and vehicle identification number (VIN).
* Rules of the Road
When driving in the rain or in the fog, full headlights are required. In Florida, a right turn on a red light is permitted after a full stop, unless specifically prohibited by sign or signal. Seat belts are required. All front seat occupants of cars, pick-up trucks and vans must buckle up or the driver faces fines. Children age six and under must be buckled up regardless of where they are sitting. Children ages four and five must be secured in either a seat belt or approved child restraint seat; children under the age four must be secured in an approved car seat. Again, failure to keep your children buckled may result in significant fines. Florida police may immediately seize the license of anyone arrested for driving under the influence or anyone refusing to submit to a breath, blood or urine .
* Tax Information
Florida still offers residents several tax advantages. There is no state income tax, gift tax, or inheritance tax (except for that portion of the federal tax returned to the state by the federal government).
* Sales Tax Sales Tax
Sales tax in Florida is currently 6%. Food medicine and professional services are exempt. Counties may have the option of charging an additional penny sales tax.
* Homestead Exemption
Filing for residency makes you eligible to receive Florida’s Homestead Exemption. This provision allows full-time Florida residents to exempt $25,000 of their home’s value from property from property and school taxes. First time applicants must file in person at the property appraiser’s office between January 1 and March 1. You’ll need to bring some specific documentation.
* Intangible Tax
Florida levies a tax on stocks, bonds, and other securities at a rate of 1 mill, or $1 per $1,000 of value. The tax is assessed on the value of your assets on January 1 of each year. If the value of your intangible property is less than $20,000 for an individual or $40,000 for a couple filing jointly, no tax is levied. If your intangible assets are greater than $100,000 an additional 2 mills ($2 per $1,000) is assessed on just the value over $100,000. Returns must be filed by June 30 and the tax is delinquent if not paid by July 1. For more information, please consult with your accountant, CPA, tax preparer or attorney.
* Wills
Since Florida does not have an inheritance tax, your heirs may benefit if you transfer your securities and personal to this state. To do this you must first become a legal resident. For more information, please consult with your attorney.
* Places of Worship
Houses of worship representing every denomination are located throughout the county. You are sure to find a church or synagogue compatible with your beliefs and new friends with whom to worship. Compiled by denomination are many of the houses of worship in the Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero areas.
A M E
Apostolic
Assembly of God
Baptist
Southern Baptist
Bible
Buddhist
Catholic
Charismatic
Christian
Independent Christian
Christian & Missionary Alliance
Christian Science
Church of Christ
Church of God
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Community
Congregational
Episcopal
Evangelical
Evangelical Free Church of America
Full Gospel
Greek Orthodox
Independent, Interdenominational
Islamic
Jehovah’s Witnesses
Jewish – Temples and Synagogues
Lutheran, Methodist
United Methodist
Metropolitan Community
Nazarene
Non-Denominational
Orthodox
Pentecostal
United Pentecostal
Presbyterian
Presbyterian Church in America (PCA)
Presbyterian-USA
Religious Science
Salvation Army
Seventh Day Adventist
United Church of Christ
* Beach Parking Permits
Collier County residents may obtain a permit which allows them to park at any of the county beach parks, at no charge. The permits are available through both the City of Naples and Collier County. Residents should bring their Florida vehicle registration, driver’s license showing your current Collier address or Collier Voter ID to either the Collier County Parks and Recreation Department’s Administrative Office or any the Community Centers. In the City of Naples, call the Department of Parks and Recreation for permit information.
* Pet Licenses Pet Licenses
Dogs and cats 4 months of age and older must be registered and vaccinated annually. Licenses are available through your local veterinarian or the county. Leash laws are also strictly enforced. This means that your dog must be restrained by either leash, fence, cord, or chain at all times. Hefty fines are levied on violators.
* Media Media
Naples Daily News
Fort Myers News Press
Other small weekly or bi-weekly papers, serve Collier’s individual communities.
In addition to newspapers, there are numerous radio stations from talk to rock and public radio serving the area.
All five of the national television networks are represented here as well as local access cable stations. National television network affiliates serving the area are:
* ABC – WEVU
* CBS – WINK
* FOX – WFTX
* NBC – WBBH
* PBS – WSFP
* UPN – WNPL
IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS
TELEPHONE AREA CODE 239, UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE
Emergencies
Fire, police, sheriff or emergency medical services . . . 911
Hospitals
Naples Community Hospital . . . 436-5000
North Collier Hospital . . . 597-1417
Government Numbers
Absentee Ballot Requests . . . 774-8436
Animal Control . . . 597-4880
Auto Tags . . . 774-8177
Boat Registrations . . . 774-8176
Clerk of Courts . . . 732-2646
County Commission . . . 774-8097
District 1 . . . 774-8389
District 2 . . . 774-8390
District 3 . . . 774-8393
District 4 . . . 774-8392
District 5 . . . 774-8391
Drivers Licenses . . . 434-5002
Fishing & Hunting Licenses . . . 774-8176
Florida Department of Revenue . . . (800) 352-3671
Florida Game & Freshwater Commission . . . (800) 282-8001
Health Department . . . 774-8200
Internal Revenue Service . . . (800) 829-1040
Main Post Office . . . 435-2100
Occupational Licenses . . . 643-8477
Parks & Recreation – Collier . . . 353-0404
Parks & Recreation – Naples . . . 434-4687
Property Appraiser . . . 774-8141
School District . . . 643-2700
Social Security Administration . . . (800) 772-1213
Tax Collector . . . 774-8171
Veterans Administration . . . (800) 827-1000
Voters Registration . . . 774-8450
Utilities
Telephone – Sprint/United Telephone
Residential ( 1 – 3 lines) . . . (800) 699-0728
Business Key/PBX . . . (800) 800-7141
Electricity
Florida Power & Light . . . 262-1322
Lee County Electric Cooperative . . . (800) 282-1643
Water & Sewer
Collier . . . 643-8493
Golden Gate . . . 455-1583
Naples . . . 434-4717
Marco Island . . . 394-3168
Garbage Service
Collier . . . 597-6088
Naples . . . 434-4745
Citizens Services
Adult Education . . . 643-2700
Aging & Adult Services . . . 643-5900
Boating Safety . . . (800) 336-BOAT
Child Care Referral . . . 643-3908
Coast Guard Auxiliary Naples . . . 261-7375
Coast Guard Auxiliary Collier . . . 394-5911
Community Transportation . . . 774-8494
Health Care Administration . . . (800) 342-0828
Library – Main . . . 262-4130
Senior Friendship Center . . . 263-7425
