Sanibel Solutions: A Community-Driven Approach to Recovery

In the wake of Hurricane Ian, the Sanibel community has shown remarkable determination to rebuild with purpose and resilience. One of the most promising efforts to emerge from this journey is Sanibel Solutions, a coalition formed in 2025 to accelerate the island’s recovery through data, transparency, and collaboration.

What is Sanibel Solutions?

Sanibel Solutions is a public-private partnership made up of residents, business owners, civic leaders, nonprofit organizations, and local institutions such as FGCU, the Charitable Foundation of the Islands, and the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce. The initiative was built on the belief that sustainable recovery requires clear goals, measurable progress, and unified leadership.

Its mission is simple yet ambitious: to support a resilient and economically sustainable Sanibel through community partnerships and data-informed strategies.

Tracking Progress Through Data

At the heart of Sanibel Solutions is a public-facing Hurricane Recovery Dashboard, which tracks real-time progress across key sectors of island life. This includes:

• Business Reopenings – A clear picture of which sectors are operating and how close we are to pre-Ian levels
• Tourism & Lodging – Capacity numbers for accommodations, vital to understanding our tourism economy’s recovery
• Permitting Activity – Insights into how many properties are being rebuilt, renovated, or newly constructed
• Population & Workforce – Data on residents, workers, and housing availability to help plan for long-term recovery
• Economic Health – Business sentiment surveys, revenue estimates, and more

This dashboard serves not just city officials and planners—it’s available to everyone in the community. Whether you’re a resident, business owner, or visitor, you can see how Sanibel is progressing and where efforts are still needed.

Strategic Recovery Goals

Alongside tracking data, Sanibel Solutions has also outlined eight key initiatives to guide the recovery process:

1. Add "Economic Recovery" to every Sanibel City Council meeting agenda
2. Establish measurable recovery benchmarks
3. Streamline the city’s permitting process
4. Hire an ombudsman to assist residents and businesses
5. Host regular interdepartmental recovery meetings
6. Improve public communication and transparency
7. Strengthen collaboration with Lee County agencies
8. Modernize the Land Development Code for future resilience

These recommendations are already shaping policy and decision-making, offering a coordinated path forward rooted in community feedback and expert input.

Why It Matters

The work of Sanibel Solutions is critical—not just for getting back to “normal,” but for building an even stronger future. With only about 66% of lodging units reopened and 43% of businesses fully operating (as of recent reports), the road to recovery is still ongoing. But now, for the first time, the community has a shared roadmap—and real data—to guide the way.

Community-Backed and Broker-Supported

Among the founding members and leaders of this initiative is Eric Pfeifer, broker-owner of Pfeifer Realty Group. His involvement reflects the deep commitment of Sanibel’s business community to being active partners in the island’s long-term success. Pfeifer Realty Group supports the goals of Sanibel Solutions and encourages all residents and property owners to explore the dashboard, engage in recovery conversations, and stay informed.

Learn More

To explore the Recovery Dashboard, read the latest reports, or learn how you can get involved, visit Sanibel-Solutions.com. Together, we’re building a better, more resilient Sanibel—one informed decision at a time.