Economic development chief retires

FORT MYERS — James Moore, Lee County's economic development director who helped shepherd the relocation of Hertz' corporate headquarters to Estero, says he plans to retire Sept. 1.

In a letter to Douglas Meurer, the interim county manager for Lee County, Moore says the county must find a successor who can capitalize on the Hertz relocation from New Jersey to attract other businesses to the region.

In addition, Moore says the county needs “improved protocols” for its financial incentive program for industry recruitment. That program has come under scrutiny, for some companies that received government subsidies to expand in Lee County didn't deliver promised jobs.

Moore, the former president and CEO of Gulf Utility Company, has been a leading voice in the effort to regionalize economic development efforts with neighbors, particularly Collier County. “I would like to continue to play a role in standing up that effort,” Moore wrote to Meurer.

Moore is the former chairman of Florida Gulf Bank in Fort Myers, which was acquired last year by Louisiana-based IberiaBank. He's currently a director and chairman of the investment committee of Investors' Security Trust Company in Fort Myers.