The Community Infrastructure Coalition exists to address the growing challenges Southwest Florida faces in affordable housing and transportation, healthy food access, and high-speed internet access. The coalition’s purpose is to unite organizations and companies from the real estate, government, development, education, and non-profit sectors across the five-county region to create sustainable solutions. Through collaboration, the coalition seeks to identify infrastructure gaps, implement effective projects, and scale proven initiatives that strengthen community resilience, foster economic opportunity, and enhance quality of life for all residents.

Southwest Florida encompasses Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee counties, a five-county region characterized by steady population growth, economic diversity, and environmental significance. The area supports a balanced economy rooted in sectors such as healthcare, education, tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, and emerging technologies. With a population exceeding 1.2 million residents and a mix of urban centers and rural communities, Southwest Florida faces both opportunities and challenges in managing growth, maintaining housing affordability, strengthening transportation systems, ensuring food security, and expanding access to high-speed internet. Thus, regional collaboration across these counties is essential to sustaining development and improving quality of life for all who live and work in Southwest Florida.

The Community Infrastructure Coalition started its journey as the Southwest Florida Home Coalition, launched on May 1, 2023. It emerged from a call to action—uniting regional leaders to tackle the most pressing social challenges facing Southwest Florida, including housing, healthcare, workforce development, and education.

As the coalition evolved, so did its mission. After convening key community leaders, the group realigned its focus to go beyond affordable housing and transportation, expanding into healthy food access and high-speed internet access, fundamental components of thriving communities.

To reflect this broader, more holistic vision, the coalition rebranded as the Community Infrastructure Coalition, continuing its commitment to improving the overall quality of life in Southwest Florida.