Author: Jasmine

Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s largest private homebuilder, recently hosted a field trip and bus tour for students from the Riverview High School Construction Academy, as part of Neal Communities ongoing support of the Construction Academy.

Students from the Riverview Construction Academy had an opportunity to visit Grand Park, a resort style community in Sarasota. Students were hosted by Katie Alderman, community affairs coordinator, and project managers Bill Baptiste and Greg McSwain who discussed land development and construction.

From there, the bus tour allowed the students to observe various construction sites with projects in progress, including land development, slab pouring, framing, electrical and plumbing rough-ins, siding, drywall, stucco completion and roofing, with expert commentary from the project managers. Students finished the day with an opportunity to meet with the sales team to discuss the process of selling homes.

“The students we hosted are going to be great additions to the construction industry,” says Alderman.  “They were fully engaged in the tour and asked great questions as they learned more about the construction process as well as home selling.”

Neal Communities has supported the Construction Academy since Day One, donating more than $60,000 to the Academy, including a recent $11,300 donation that went toward purchasing supplies needed to give students the kind of real-world training necessary.

The Neal Communities donation was spearheaded by Charlene Neal, president of Charlene Neal PureStyle, a partner company of Neal Communities, and who is an alumnus of Riverview High School. In addition, Neal Communities is providing staff resources to assist with the program, from guest speakers and field trip opportunities to internships. The Construction Academy incorporates a curriculum from the National Center of Construction Education and Research, along with providing hands-on experience for students.

Check out CBS Miami’s piece on Riverview High School’s Construction Academy program!

LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. (February 24, 2025) – Having the right tools is one of the most important necessities for workers in the construction trades, so for students training to work in those trades that need is even more urgent.  A recent $11,000 donation from Neal Communities to support Sarasota’s Riverview High School Construction Academy will make an enormous impact, according to students and staff alike.

From buckets to belt sanders, routers to drywall tape, Neal’s donation helped fill the supply closets at the Construction Academy.

 

“Having the right tools and materials enhances learning by increasing engagement, improving understanding, and supporting different learning styles,” says 17-year-old Allison Newcomb, an 11^th grade student in the Construction Academy. “It fosters critical

thinking, boosts confidence, and ensures equal opportunities for all students. Additionally, access to modern resources prepares learners for real-world applications and future careers.”  Newcomb is planning a career as a welder, inspired by her uncle, father and grandfather.

 

One of the nation’s most pressing employment needs is in the construction industry as it is estimated that it will need to attract an estimated 501,000 additional workers on top of the normal pace of hiring in 2024 to meet the demand for labor. This is according to a proprietary model developed by Associated Builders and Contractors. In 2025, the industry will need to bring in nearly 454,000 new workers on top of normal hiring to meet industry demand, and that’s presuming that construction spending growth slows significantly this year. The report also indicated the industry’s average age of retirement is 61, and more than 1 in 5 workers are currently older than 55.  In the state of Florida, the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) reports that 79 percent of Florida construction companies are having trouble filling positions.

 

“If this were like any class, I would not learn any actual skills by just doing stuff on computers,” says Atticus Helbig, a senior at Riverview who hopes to pursue a career framing in residential construction.  “With the addition of power tools, lumber concrete and wires I was able to have a hands-on experience with framing, electrical and a little bit of masonry with cement mixing.”

The construction industry must be more creative in where it finds the workers of tomorrow which is one reason that the Riverview Construction Academy was born, providing fast-growing funnel for construction and trade workers is straight out of high school. Riverview’s Construction Academy is designed to prepare high school students for a career in the building industry.

 

Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier local homebuilder, has supported the Construction Academy since Day One, donating more than $60,000 to the Academy, including a recent $11,300 donation that went toward purchasing supplies needed to give students the kind of real-world training necessary.

 

“Neal Communities has been an incredible partner in helping us grow our Construction Academy,” says Josh Grant, assistant principal at Riverview High School. “Their generous donation has provided our students the ability to learn and train with industry-standard equipment. Students have used the equipment on several school-based projects, including a build of a new obstacle course for our JROTC program. Neal has also provided field trip opportunities and soft-skill trainings that helps give our student’s the tools and ability to successfully graduate from the program with the technical and professional abilities to obtain gainful employment. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Neal as we grow the Construction Academy at RHS.”

 

Landon Hissing, a senior at Riverview says he has always had an interest in construction. His father is an executive at one of the biggest construction companies in Las Vegas and Landon plans on joining him there after graduation.  “This class is my favorite class out of my four years of high school,” he says. “We have so many different materials and most of the tools we need to learn all the different trades and learn the basics of all of them.”

 

The Neal Communities donation was spearheaded by Charlene Neal, president of Charlene Neal PureStyle, a partner company of Neal Communities, and who is an alumnus of Riverview High School. In addition, Neal Communities is providing staff resources to assist with the program, from guest speakers and field trip opportunities to internships. The Construction Academy incorporates a curriculum from the National Center of Construction Education and Research, along with providing hands-on experience for students.

LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. (February 21, 2025) – Ivory Matthews, a mentor and former board member of Take Stock in Children Manatee has been named to the Florida State Board of Take Stock in Children.

 

Matthews serves as Vice President of Community and Governmental Affairs at Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s largest locally owned and operated private builder.  She has devoted countless hours to guiding and supporting young individuals, providing them with the tools, knowledge, and confidence needed to succeed academically and professionally. Her commitment to this cause reflects her deep belief in the power of education and mentorship as catalysts for change and empowerment.

 

Matthews is also Board Chair for Step Up Suncoast, Inc. and is a member of the Education & Research Committee for the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium as well as CREW Sarasota and Tampa Bay Partnership.

 

Her business success and devotion to the community has resulted in Matthews recently being honored with several awards from local media organizations.

 

She was named to the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 as well as the same list for the Business Observer, a regional Florida-focused business publication. In addition, Matthews was nominated as one of SRQ Magazine’s Women Who Roar.

 

At Neal Communities, Matthews has risen from working a two-week temporary job in environmental permitting to her current role as VP of Community and Governmental Affairs. She is charged with interacting with both government entities about things like entitlements and with residents where the company plans to build. In the past year, she has successfully entitled $50 million worth of land, which translates into approximately 2,500 residential units.

 

Additionally, Matthews oversees Neal Communities’ $500,000 Plan for Giving, a philanthropic program that supports quality of life initiatives and education and has a large element of employee-led giving, where the company supports causes that are important to its staff. Neal Communities has a philanthropic culture and a core belief that “Where You Live Matters.” Neal Communities has more than $8 million to local charities and causes throughout Southwest Florida.

LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. (January 31, 2025) – Neal Communities, southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, has donated $46,000 to support community events in January and early February.

 

Neal Communities donated $2,500 toward the Marine Corps League Golf Tournament, with proceeds going toward the Marine Corps League Scholarship Fund and additional funds assisting Wreaths Across America. Three members of the league Joe Falice, Commandant, Bob Fields, Adjutant, John D’Alusio, historian presented a plaque to commemorate the donation to Neal Communities CEO Pat Neal.

 

The Boca Cares Foundation is a donor advised fund based out of Boca Royale community in Englewood, Fla. Neal Communities’ donation of $10,000 will support the Boca Cares Fund, which was formed specifically to provide aid to local charities whose mission it is to empower and improve the lives of those less fortunate.

 

Neal Communities donated $5,000 to Feast Upon The Fields, an upcoming event sponsored by the Big Waters Land Trust, scheduled for Feb. 23, the organization’s ninth annual farm-to-table luncheon, featuring a one-of-a-kind menu by Chef Paul Mattison.

 

The Junior League of Sarasota’s 48^th Annual Tour of Homes will take place Feb. 21-22 and Neal Communities is an event sponsor, donating $4,000.  Three Neal Communities employees, Katie Alderman, Debbi Terek and Ciara Clark, are Junior League of Sarasota members. This annual event offers an exciting peek inside a handful of noteworthy homes in Sarasota. Proceeds from the Tour of Homes support the Junior League of Sarasota’s work to train women leaders and improve the community.

 

As a $5,000 sponsor of the recent Palmetto Youth Center MLK Weekend banquet, Neal Communities helped to provide 10 Summer Camp Scholarships as well as 10 Athletic Scholarships.

 

Neal Communities will serve as a $3,000 sponsor of the Casey Cares Foundation 2^nd Annual Pickleball Tournament, which takes place on February 1 at Lakewood Ranch Country Club East. Casey Cares Foundation provides ongoing, uplifting programs with a special touch to critically ill children and their families and proceeds from the tournament will support the organization’s programs.

 

Neal Communities also donated $5,000 to the Venice YMCA Gala, scheduled for Feb. 14, as well $5,000 to the Manatee County Fair, which wraps up its run on January 26.  Neal Communities served as a $5,000 Gold Sponsor for the January 11 Sarasota Half Marathon and donated $1,500 to the Sarasota County Schools Employee of the Year Luncheon, which takes place on February 27.

 

Many of these donations came as a result of a Neal Communities employee who is actively involved in these organizations. By making a request through the company’s Plan for Giving, the company supports causes that are important to its staff along with quality-of-life initiatives and education.

 

“The broad variety of nonprofits, schools and community-focused organizations that are important to our employees keeps growing and I am proud to be part of an organization that continues to be committed to the communities in which we build homes,” says Ivory Matthews, vice president of community and governmental affairs for Neal Communities, who administers the company’s philanthropic efforts.

 

Neal Communities has a philanthropic culture and a core belief that “Where You Live Matters.” The latest giving is part of more than $8 million Neal Communities has donated to local charities and causes throughout Southwest Florida.

For more information about Neal Communities, visit NealCommunities.com.

LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla (February 3, 2025) – For the second year, Neal Communities recently donated $10,000 donation to the Defibrillate Manatee Foundation to help the foundation provide 40 defibrillators to the Palmetto Police Department.  This donation follows last year’s assistance which helped to supply the Manatee County School District with 21 AEDs and the Bradenton Police Department with an additional 10 AEDs. Each defibrillator costs $1,699.

Neal Communities was inspired to become involved by the story of Ernie Withers who went into cardiac arrest at the Pittsburgh Pirates spring training complex in Bradenton and was saved by a Pirates doctor, who performed CPR and a trainer, who used an automated external defibrillator to resuscitate him. This experience moved Withers to create a nonprofit foundation, Defibrillate Manatee Foundation, that has donated AEDs to local businesses, schools and police.

“Providing defibrillators to local schools and law enforcement is a noble cause and Neal Communities is proud to play a part in that effort,” says Katie Alderman, Community Affairs Coordinator for Neal Communities. “Last year, our employees also took action, with approximately 75 members of our team undergoing training to learn how to perform CPR and learn how to operate an AED.”

FORT MYERS, Fla. (January 15, 2025) – For Graham Jones, the path to pursuing a degree in construction management began as a child in Russia, where he was mesmerized by construction sites and mimicked the sounds of machinery.

After moving to his adoptive home in Miami, Graham’s passion for building was fostered by his mother, who encouraged his creativity by allowing him to take on projects around the house. This early support helped him develop a love for both creating and leading. Now, as a student at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), Graham is turning that passion into a career, pursuing a degree in construction management with the support of the Neal Communities Scholarship.

The Neal Communities Scholarship, established in 2022, is a $25,000 pledge over five years to support FGCU’s construction management program. For Graham, this funding has been transformational. “The scholarship has helped me advance my goal of completing a bachelor’s degree in construction management,” he says. “It covered the costs of textbooks, which are crucial for courses heavy in math and technical work.”

Graham discovered the scholarship through an email from FGCU and had the unique opportunity to meet Neal Communities team members at a presidential luncheon. “It was a wonderful experience,” he recalls. “I learned about their roles and responsibilities, and their commitment to helping students like me succeed.”

This scholarship exemplifies Neal Communities’ dedication to supporting students entering non-traditional fields, particularly those bridging the gap between high school and careers that combine technical expertise with leadership. Graham is a shining example of this mission, already demonstrating his aptitude for leadership and a clear vision for his future. Post-graduation, he plans to gain hands-on experience managing construction projects and ultimately establish his own company.

For Graham, the scholarship is about more than just financial aid—it’s about being part of a larger mission. He often reflects on the moment he first saw the Neal Communities logo, realizing he wasn’t alone in his journey. “It was more than just money,” he says. “It felt like someone truly believed in me and my dreams. That confidence is what keeps me pushing forward, even on the hardest days.” Moments like these remind Graham that success is a shared effort, built on the generosity and vision of those who see potential in others.

Reflecting on the impact of Neal Communities’ support, Graham says, “Their generosity has given me the opportunity to further my education. It’s an opportunity everyone should have, and one I hope to provide for others someday.”

By investing in students like Graham, Neal Communities isn’t just contributing to education—they’re building futures, one brick at a time. Their partnership with FGCU underscores the importance of encouraging diverse career paths and giving students the tools to succeed.

LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. January 24, 2025 – Neal Communities, southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, is now offering pre-sales at Palm Grove, a community of 900 new homes, townhomes and paired villas being built in east Manatee County adjacent to Lake Manatee State Park. Nine decorated models opened today.

“We’re building a robust Lakewood Ranch community of homes that will showcase the natural beauty of the site and offer desirable amenities,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities.

Plans for the community include a centrally located amenity center with a social club, a fitness studio, a swimming pool, a lap pool, pickleball, dog parks and more.

The architectural styles of the homes will include British West Indies, farmhouse, coastal and French Colonial. There will be 19 total floorplans offered and nine decorated models available to tour, including five single family floorplans and two each townhome and villa floorplans. In all, there are 15 single family home designs available to build, ranging from 1,533 – 3,486 square feet, two villa options ranging from 1,638 – 1,848 square feet, and two townhouse options that are both 1,790 square feet. Home prices will start in the low $300s for townhomes, $399,990 for villas and $430,990 for single family homes.

“Palm Grove will offer a wide range of options for those looking to call the vibrant Lakewood Ranch area home. We’re already receiving a good amount of interest and have added VIP sign up option on our website for those looking to receive information directly to their inboxes as it becomes available” said Carlos Puente, vice president of sales and marketing at Neal Communities.

Palm Grove is located on the north side of State Road 64, west of Dam Road, and just east of Uihlein Road. The homes will be zones to attend Witt Elementary, Haile Middle and Parrish Community High Schools. Beginning in the Fall of 2025, Lake Manatee School, a new K-8 facility, will open just across SR64 from Palm Grove for students in the community.

For more information about Palm Grove, visit www.palmgrovevibes.com.

Neal Communities was a Gold Level $5,000 Sponsor for the 2025 Manatee County Fair and employees of the company turned out to enjoy everything the fair had to offer.  The 11-day Manatee County Fair is held each January at the Manatee County Fairgrounds in Palmetto.

 

The event is presented by The Manatee River Fair Association, Inc., a private not-for-profit corporation, which seeks to promote the agricultural and economic strengths of Manatee County and to highlight Manatee County’s rich heritage through the sponsorship of the annual Manatee County Fair and other events throughout the year. The Manatee County Fair provides a variety of competition premium award programs, educational exhibits, arts and crafts, entertainment, and organization displays in a family-friendly environment. The operation of the Manatee County Fairgrounds throughout the year will further support and enhance the Association’s promotion of local agriculture, commerce, and history by providing financial support for the annual Manatee County Fair.

As a $5,000 sponsor of the recent Palmetto Youth Center MLK Weekend Banquet, Neal Communities helped to provide 10 Summer Camp Scholarships as well as 10 Athletic Scholarships.

 

The banquet, held at the IMG Academy Golf Club, was part of a full weekend of entertainment as the Palmetto Youth Center embraced unity in the community.

 

The mission of the Palmetto Youth Center is to provide a safe and wholesome environment in the community where its members, young and old, can learn, achieve, and succeed in positive and productive ways: to target youth before they are introduced to drugs, crimes, and other unhealthy lifestyles and to establish a strong foundation of high morals and values through their programs.

LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. (January 6, 2025) – Neal Communities, southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, has donated $25,000 to support community events and youth sports in November and December.

A donation of $5,000 supports the Cape Coral Junior Football Association, a non-profit youth football and cheer organization that has served the community for more than 50 years. The program is available for participants between the ages of 5 and 14 for football and 5 and 18 for cheer.

Neal Communities also provided a $5,000 sponsorship to Edison and Ford Estates Annual Holiday Nights in Fort Myers. Returning for the 49th year, Holiday Nights features new light displays with the homes being decorated much as they would have been during Edison’s time, down to the period gifts under the trees. A Children’s Holiday Tree Trail features handmade ornaments created by students from local schools and shopping in the Museum Store and Garden Shoppe for unique holiday gifts.

A donation of $5,000 will support Hoops on a Mission, a non-profit that exists to empower and inspire the youth in Southwest Florida to become world changers in the community. Founder Dwayne Jackson, and his Hoops on Mission family, provide mentorship, leadership, and resources to change Lee County’s statistics, one child at a time.

Neal Communities served as the exclusive food sponsor of Tampa Bay Partnership Rebuilding Tampa Bay Housing and Recovery Expo with a $5,000 donation. The recent event allowed residents to hear advice from expert panels, connect with real estate and local banking professionals about financial resources, and visit with representatives from local nonprofits to learn more about available support following this year’s storms.

The CA.P^S (Courage Ascension Perseverance, Strength) program is a community outreach program that focuses on engaging and improving the lives of youths and their families through its athletic program. Neal Communities will serve as a $5,000 Hall of Fame sponsor for CA.P^S, which is located in the Sarasota/Manatee area of Florida and serves community youth between the ages of 7-14 years.

Many of these donations came as a result of a Neal Communities employee who is actively involved in these organizations. By making a request through the company’s Plan for Giving, the company supports causes that are important to its staff along with quality of life initiatives and education.

“I continue to be amazed by the dedication of our employees to a wide variety of nonprofits and school- and community-focused organizations,” says Ivory Matthews, vice president of community and governmental affairs for Neal Communities, who administers the company’s philanthropic efforts. “Neal Communities is proud to have an engaged workforce who help Neal Communities continue to play an active role in the communities where we live and build homes.

Neal Communities has a philanthropic culture and a core belief that “Where You Live Matters.” The latest giving is part of more than $8 million Neal Communities has donated to local charities and causes throughout Southwest Florida.

For more information about Neal Communities, visit NealCommunities.com.