Immokalee News & Community Events

Print Feedback

Font Size: + -

July 1, 2024

On June 19, 2024 the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), pursuant to 23 U.S.C. § 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated May 26, 2022 and executed by Federal Highway Administration and FDOT, granted Location and Design Concept Acceptance for the State Road (SR) 29 Immokalee Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study. The project limits are from Oil Well Road to SR 82 in Collier County. The proposed improvements include widening the existing two-lane undivided sections of SR 29 to four lanes from Oil Well Road to south of Farm Worker Way and from north of Westclox Street/New Market Road W to SR 82, as well as add a four-lane segment on new alignment from north of Seminole Crossing Trail to north of Westclox Street/New Market Road W. No improvements are proposed to existing SR 29 through the downtown area of Immokalee as part of this project.

All information about the project, including a copy of all final documents, is available on the project website at www.sr29collier.com. Please see attached digital flyer for this information in both English and Spanish.

This project is now eligible to move to the next phase of development

May 10, 2024

Please click here to find the FDOT presentation on SR 29 recently presented at the MPO Board Meeting on May 10, 2024. The project page links for item 10B | FDOT’s SR 29 Immokalee Project Development & Environmental Study Project Update, can be found below:

FDOT Project Page links:

417540-5 SR 29 from CR 846 E to North of New Market Road N (swflroads.com)

417540-6 SR 29 from South of New Market Road to SR 82 (swflroads.com)

January 24, 2024:

Conservation Collier staff plan to conduct a 100-acre prescribed burn at the Pepper Ranch Preserve located at 6315 Pepper Rd in Immokalee on Thursday, January 25, and possibly the following week if forecasted weather conditions remain the same and authorization is provided by the Florida Forest Service. This prescribed burn will be carried out with equipment and assistance from state and local agency partners of the South-Central Florida Prescribed Fire Working Group. The primary goal for this burn will be to achieve ecological and fuel reduction objectives to support the preserve’s fire dependent habitat and wildlife.

This prescribed burn is scheduled to take place between 9am and 6pm. Conservation Collier staff will be on-site monitoring and restoring the unit this week following the burn. Local dispatch centers will be notified the morning of the burn when authorization is granted by FFS. Preserve neighbors and stakeholders have been notified.

Conservation Collier Team
Phone: 239.252.2961
E-Mail: Conservationcollier@colliercountyfl.gov
Website: www.conservationcollier.com

September 27, 2023:

Annual Immokalee Big Bus Event
The purpose of the Big Bus Event is to bring health screening and community health service information into our underserved community.

Date: November 4, 2023
Location: Roberts Ranch
1215 Roberts Avenue W., Immokalee, FL. 34142

FREE Health Services, Community Services, Food, and More!

List of participants to come!

Vendor Registration: For vendor registration, visit Vendor Registration Form

July 31, 2023:

The Immokalee Eastern Chamber of Commerce is a community partner with Lipman Farms and is also proud to announce that planning is underway for the 2023 Lipman Backpack Giveaway and Back to School Event! It will be held on August 5^th, 2023, at the Immokalee High School football stadium from 9am-12pm. Lipman's recently held our 5K fundraiser on April 1^st and it was hugely successful. Due to the generosity of our runners and sponsors, we will be hosting the biggest giveaway event yet! We are planning on giving away 1,750 backpacks filled with essential school supplies plus partnering with you all to offer a ton of other services like free haircuts, food, prize giveaways, and a ton more! We always like to highlight as many of the area’s service providers so your attendance is essential. There are several ways you can participate, including:

1. Register and bring a table and tent to set up a family-friendly exhibit featuring your organization.

Exhibitor Registration: https://zfrmz.com/Ih9PAtmdvhBK7gEYPM96

2. Provide some volunteers to help us put on a great event!

Volunteer Registration: https://zfrmz.com/TfsGAvyHAlZWEdJL0VHO

3. Donate goods or services for the families that are preparing their children for back to school.

4. Post our flyer and help spread the word about all the great things going on at the event (flyer is attached)

Follow our Facebook event page: https://fb.me/e/2srCzA6K4

July 24, 2023:

Attached is an update on the Immokalee Complete Streets Project segment 3A.

July 14, 2023:

The Immokalee Eastern Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that planning is underway for the 2023 Lipman Backpack Giveaway and Back to School Event! It will be held on August 5^th, 2023, at the Immokalee High School football stadium from 9am-12pm. We recently held our 5K fundraiser on April 1^st and it was hugely successful. Due to the generosity of our runners and sponsors, we will be hosting the biggest giveaway event yet! We are planning on giving away 1,750 backpacks filled with essential school supplies plus partnering with you all to offer a ton of other services like free haircuts, food, prize giveaways, and a ton more! We always like to highlight as many of the area’s service providers so your attendance is essential. There are several ways you can participate, including:

1. Register and bring a table and tent to set up a family-friendly exhibit featuring your organization.

Exhibitor Registration: https://zfrmz.com/Ih9PAtmdvhBK7gEYPM96

2. Provide some volunteers to help us put on a great event!

Volunteer Registration: https://zfrmz.com/TfsGAvyHAlZWEdJL0VHO

3. Donate goods or services for the families that are preparing their children for back to school.

4. Post our flyer and help spread the word about all the great things going on at the event (flyer is attached)

Follow our Facebook event page: https://fb.me/e/2srCzA6K4

As exhibitors, please keep in mind that we will be on a synthetic turf football field so there won’t be any stakes allowed for your tents or food allowed on the field. Setup will likely begin early that morning, around 6:30am, so that we can be ready for all the families and students.

If you are interested in participating as an exhibitor, simply click on the link below and fill out all the necessary information.

EXHIBITOR SIGNUP: https://zfrmz.com/Ih9PAtmdvhBK7gEYPM96

May 18, 2023

The Immokalee Foundation has been Awarded the Candid 2023 Platinum Seal of Transparency for the Seventh Consecutive Year

For the seventh consecutive year, The Immokalee Foundation has earned the Candid 2023 Platinum Seal of Transparency, putting the Foundation in the top 0.1% of charities nationally in terms of transparency.

For over 31 years, The Immokalee Foundation has been preparing the next generation of leaders through a 100% focus on education, career readiness, and professional development for students in Immokalee—from kindergarten to postsecondary education. The Foundation provides new pathways to success and financial independence through robust programming that prepares students for well-paying, in-demand professional careers in Business Management & Entrepreneurship, Education & Human Services, Engineering & Construction Management and Healthcare.

Candid Platinum status demonstrates The Immokalee Foundation’s exceptional trustworthiness, financial strength, fiscal management best practices, and tangible successful outcomes in its mission of creating pathways to successful professional careers for the students of Immokalee.

Previously known as the GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency, Foundation Center and GuideStar joined forces in 2019 to become Candid. To earn Platinum status, The Immokalee Foundation disclosed extensive information through its Candid Nonprofit Profile. The in-depth data encompasses the Foundation’s organizational background, in-depth financial data, and qualitative and quantitative information about its goals, strategies, capabilities and results.

Philanthropists, donors and foundations who support charitable organizations rely upon the Candid rating as a verified indicator strength, proficiency, and effectiveness of nonprofits.

A member of The Immokalee Foundation’s Class of 2023, Ivan Gonzalez has taken advantage of its robust career-focused programming since 8^th grade. With his eye on a career in aircraft maintenance, Ivan plans to join the United States Air Force and credits his Immokalee Foundation-sponsored internship at Naples Air Center for providing first-hand exposure to the aviation industry. Ivan is just one of over 1,300 students The Immokalee Foundation has supported this year alone.

“One hundred percent of our high school graduates pursue a postsecondary education. Though the majority attend a college or university, students like Ivan honor all of us by choosing the educational resources of the U.S. Armed Forces,” said Noemi Y. Perez, President and CEO of The Immokalee Foundation. “We are so honored to help prepare the workforce of the future, regardless of the professional careers they choose to pursue.”

About The Immokalee FoundationTo learn more about The Immokalee Foundation, become a mentor, signature events, volunteer as a career panel speaker or host, donate, or include the Foundation in your estate plans, please call 239-430-9122 or visit immokaleefoundation.org.

About Candid: Every year, millions of nonprofits spend trillions of dollars around the world. Candid finds out where that money comes from, where it goes, and why it matters. Through research, collaboration, and training, Candid connects people who want to change the world to the resources they need to do it. Candid’s data tools on nonprofits, foundations, and grants are the most comprehensive in the world. Find out more at candid.org and on Twitter @CandidDotOrg.

April 28, 2023

Volunteers Needed - Ride Right Campaign - Volunteers Receive $60 Grocery Gift Card!

March 22, 2023

Immokalee Regional Water Plan Final Report

March 20, 2023

Newsletter for the Immokalee Complete Streets Project

March 17, 2023

Municipal Service District II (DII) consists of Ave Maria, Corkscrew, and Immokalee Areas (Commissioner District: Commissioner McDaniel). Curbside services are provided by Franchise Contractor, Waste Pro, which recently received an Award from the Immokalee Chamber of Commerce. These services provided include:

2x week garbage
1x week recycling
1x week yard waste
1x week bulk

Currently, Ave Maria receives services on Wed/Sat, Lake Trafford area on Tue/Fri, and Immokalee on Mon/Thur.

Beginning the week of March 27, 2023 curbside collection days are changing; reference, see map here.

Ave Maria/Corkscrew Sanctuary Area to receive service on Mon/Thur
Lake Trafford Area to receive service on Tues/Fri
Town of Immokalee and eastern portion of the district on Wed/Sat.

The benefits of this strategic route implementation include:

Enhanced customer service and maximizes route collection efficiency and proficiency by providing “full-service”, where all 4 services (i.e. garbage, recycling, yard waste, and bulk) are collected on a single day of the week.
Allows simple messaging to the public to remember what day their services are provided.
Enhanced community safety in the Ave Maria community on Saturdays by reducing truck traffic in the community (According to Gulfshore Magazine, Ave Maria is the 16th fastest growing community in the United States).
Less garbage truck traffic on roads on Saturdays
Reduces contractor’s employee turnover by reducing employee hours worked on Saturday.

The Contractor guarantees continuity of service and will accommodate any special collections necessary to ensure a smooth transition for the customers. Of note, Waste Pro assumed collection services in DII on October 1, 2021 with a seamless transition and has provided services since with a complaint rate of 0.1%. Further, Waste Pro has demonstrated a commitment to Collier County and values customer service. They are actively engaged in the Immokalee Chamber, participate in the Immokalee Parade, hold job fairs, attend Task Force meetings, and were recently presented an award and recognized for their exceptional community engagement from the Immokalee Chamber of Commerce.

March 1, 2023:

Signature Moment hosted by Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance

February 27, 2023

NOTICE OF CURBSIDE COLLECTION ROUTE CHANGE

February 7, 2023

Immokalee Cattle Drive & Jamboree is coming SOON!
Pull on your boots as we return to our roots. Come celebrate the rich traditions of Florida’s agricultural heartland at the Immokalee Cattle Drive & Jamboree! Free event with food and drinks to purchase.

March 18, 2023. 7am - 3pm. For the event schedule go to CollierMuseums.com

listing-7953-Postcard V.2

January 20, 2023

Celebration & Ribbon Cutting for "Together Initiative Wellness"- Leaders and members of our dynamic team prepare to launch Southwest Florida’s first ever collaborative community center.

When: Friday, January 20, 2023
Time: 2:00 pm
Where: 429 N 1st Street, Immokalee, Florida 34142
Immokalee Eastern Chamber of Commerce

January 17, 2023

The Immokalee Foundation Receives $25,000 Education Grant from Karpus Family Foundation

Immokalee Foundation Students Attend a Special Networking Event