Punta Gorda, FL

Encompassing an area of over 21 square miles of land and over 70 miles of canals, bounded by Charlotte Harbor, Punta Gorda is the only incorporated city within Charlotte County. Centrally located between Sarasota to the North and Fort Myers to the South, Punta Gorda is also within driving distance from Tampa, Orlando and Miami. In spite of its relatively small size, Punta Gorda offers a wide range of restaurants, water recreation and an easy pace that gives the city a welcome change from fast-paced living. The city is home to more than 17,000 residents.

In 2006, Inc.com magazine ranked Punta Gorda the 17th "Hottest Small City" in America.

Punta Gorda was the scene of massive destruction after Hurricane Charley, a Category 4 hurricane, ripped through the city on Aug. 13, 2004.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

The business culture in Punta Gorda is an eclectic one, with a number of different industries represented. Along with hospitality and tourism, the city also benefits from the presence of construction firms and distribution services. Due to the population boom in recent years, real estate has become a major player in the local community.

Some of the leading industries in the city are retail, education, and health and social services.

Major employers in Punta Gorda are Charlotte Regional Medical Center, Gator Wilderness Camp School, Charlotte County School, Suncoast Media Group, and Prestige Ready Mix Management.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Punta Gorda Isles is a deed-restricted, waterfront community. All homes, with the exception of a few located on St. Andrews Golf Course, are on wide canals with access to Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf of Mexico. The City of Punta Gorda maintains the seawalls and canals. The city's residential communities include:

• There is a variety of amenities and a wide price range of resale homes, condos and new construction available in Punta Gorda Isles. Home sizes range from 1,800-square-foot bungalows to 4,000-square-foot manses built on double lots.
• Burnt Store Isles is a deed-restricted, waterfront community with Twin Isles Country Club situated in the center of the community. Burnt Store Isles has approximately 1,000 canal-front and 400 golf-course homes, including single-family residences, villas and condos as well as vacant lots.
• Burnt Store Lakes is a deed-restricted community that has seen a tremendous amount of recent growth. It is located in the southern section of Punta Gorda and Charlotte County. It offers a very new feeling community with a wide variety of custom, Florida-style homes. The neighborhood has scattered lakes throughout. Burnt Store Lakes is situated immediately to the north of Burnt Store Marina so although the Lakes has no direct gulf-access homes, many of its residents utilize the Marina.

GETTING AROUND

The Charlotte County Airport accommodates both commercial and private flights. With three runways available, the airport is on the site of a World War II military base and training field.

SHOPPING

There are two major shopping opportunities found within Punta Gorda that are ideal for residents and tourists alike:

• Fisherman's Village: A combination of shopping mall, marina and resort, Fisherman's Village provides a wide range of shops, restaurants, water recreation options and guest accommodations all within easy walking distance. The Village sports six different restaurants mingled in with a number of locally owned boutiques and gift shops. Lodging provides a total of 47 separate units for guests. The marina is located directly adjacent to the shopping area and provides tourists with chances to enjoy sightseeing cruises as well as charter boats for fishing expeditions. A center court area also functions as a stage where musical and comedy presentations take place throughout the year.
• Palms on the Pier Boutique: An upscale shopping establishment, the Palms caters to shoppers interested in designer lines of clothing, jewelry, accessories, sunglasses and other high-end goods. Palms on the Pier has an exclusive retail arrangement with Vera Bradley, making it the exclusive retailer for Charlotte County.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, featuring talented local professional musicians, performs at the Charlotte Performing Arts Center in Punta Gorda.

The small-town atmosphere of Punta Gorda lends itself well to activities that can be enjoyed at a leisurely pace. Local churches and civic clubs sponsor dinners, fishing contests and similar events. Both locals and tourists are welcome to participate.

Golf enthusiasts can enjoy the professional level course found at the Twin Isles Country Club.

EVENTS

The Annual Wine and Jazz Festival combines wine tasting with jazz performances and is a large attraction to both visitors and local residents. Typically the festival lasts for two to three days and features live performances as well as the chance to sample over a hundred different wines, including selections native to Florida.

EDUCATION

Punta Gorda is home to five public schools operated by Charlotte County Public Schools. They are: Charlotte High School, Punta Gorda Middle School, Sallie Jones Elementary School, East Elementary School and the Baker Pre-K Center.

Punta Gorda also offers many options for those seeking post-secondary education:

• Edison College (Charlotte Campus) is in Punta Gorda. As part of the Florida Community College system, the school welcomes approximately 2,500 credit and non-credit students annually, as well as 400 high school students taking dual-enrollment classes, and students pursuing Bachelor and Graduate Degrees through partnerships with regional colleges and universities.
• IMPAC University is a private graduate university dedicated to meeting the educational needs of business. Programs in business, behavioral science, and technology, and the interface among these three areas are offered. The central focus in all programs is the linkage of academic learning with real life business goals and strategies.
• Florida Gulf Coast University (Branch Campus)

FOR VISITORS

There are several local attractions that visitors to Punta Gorda are encouraged to enjoy:

• Babcock Ranch - This ranch is a fully operational ranch, and offers tours throughout the week and on weekends. Generally, the formal tour lasts for 90 minutes and includes demonstrations on various chores and tasks common to life on a ranch. The tour also includes exhibits and information about the history of ranching in the area.
• Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary and Rehabilitation Center - The Center provides people of all ages with the chance to become more familiar with wildlife in southern Florida, including species that are currently in decline due to the loss of forest and wetlands in past decades. The Center seeks to educate as well as entertain visitors, raising awareness of the need to protect the environment and restore balance to the ecology of the area.
• Punta Gorda Historic Railroad Depot - Originally built as a stop on the Atlantic Coast Railroad line, the depot today houses a museum, as well as a shopping mall, with access to two-dozen vendors.
• A.C. Freeman House - The last Victorian-style home located in the community, the Freeman House provides a snapshot of life in Florida during the Victorian era. This property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
• Peace River Wildlife Center - Dedicated to preserving wildlife, the center serves as both a rescue center and a release point for many different types of birds and animals.
• Punta Gorda Historic Walking Tour - This attraction begins at the Florida Adventure Museum and provides maps and information for tourists on a walking tour of the historic sites of the city.