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SW Florida Braces for Population Surge

New residents continue to flock to southwest Florida, as Lee County prepares to hit the one million mark by 2030. Local leaders are looking for solutions.

FORT MYERS, Fla. – More than 800,000 people now call Lee County home, and the region has numerous new apartments, buildings and road changes.

By 2030, experts predict the number of residents to reach more than one million as more people migrate to the area from other parts of Florida and the rest of the country.

 The Lee Board of County Commissioners has focused on ensuring infrastructure and public safety are a priority in their strategic planning workshop each year, as growth continues to be a central theme.

As more Lee County residents reach retirement age, mental health services and job opportunities become more important, experts say. Housing also remains a critical issue since costs have surged by nearly 52% over the last three years at a time when income has only increased by 20%.

Source: NBC 2 (Ft. Myers) (01/03/24) Hoffman, Zuri

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