Here in Southwest Florida
Local Businesses. Local Services. Local Life.
Here in SWFL was created to make Southwest Florida easier to explore, support, and enjoy — whether you live here, own a business here, or you’re visiting the area.
What started as a local business directory has grown into a connected local discovery platform bringing together businesses, restaurants and bars, Game Day destinations, live entertainment, events, jobs, local news, attractions, community resources, and more.
Our goal is simple: help people discover what’s happening locally while giving Southwest Florida businesses and organizations better ways to be seen.
More Than a Business Directory
Here in SWFL isn’t just a list of names and phone numbers.
It’s being built as a local resource where residents and visitors can discover places to eat, businesses to call, things to do, events to attend, entertainers to follow, jobs to explore, and communities to learn more about — all in one connected local platform.
Businesses can build richer profiles, share their services, offers, photos, events, hiring opportunities, and other information that helps people understand who they are before ever leaving Here in SWFL.
And through Discover SWFL, we’re also expanding into the stories, places, history, attractions, and communities that make Southwest Florida unique.
What Makes SWFL Connected
Why Supporting Local Matters
Discover Local Places
Discover locally owned businesses, services, restaurants, and organizations across SWFL.
Find Things to Do
Find events, entertainment, attractions, Game Day destinations, and things to do year-round.
Meaningful Visibility
Help Southwest Florida businesses gain meaningful local visibility without national noise.
Easier Local Search
Give residents and visitors easier, clearer ways to discover what is nearby right now.
Connect Community
Connect businesses with customers, job seekers, and the communities they serve.
Celebrate SWFL Stories
Showcase the people, places, and stories that make Southwest Florida special.
“Every local search, visit, recommendation, and share can make a difference. Our goal is to make it easier for people to choose local — and easier for great Southwest Florida businesses to be discovered.”
One Place to Discover More of Southwest Florida
Local Businesses & Services
Directory of local professionals, contractors, shops, and services.
Restaurants & Bars
Dining, waterfront spots, happy hours, and nightlife destinations.
Game Day
Sports bars, team watch party spots, and game-day highlights.
What’s Happening / Events
Dated calendar of live events, trivia, festivals, and music.
Musicians & Entertainment
Local performers, bands, solo acts, and entertainment venues.
Jobs & Hiring
Connect with local employers hiring across Southwest Florida.
Local News & Updates
Community, hospitality, business openings, and area updates.
Attractions & Things to Do
Family attractions, outdoor adventures, golf, and beaches.
Discover SWFL
Stories, places, history, and local life features.
Meet Our Team
Randy McGovern
Owner & Local Business Advocate
Randy is the owner of Here in SWFL and the driving force behind its mission to connect Southwest Florida businesses with the residents and visitors looking for them.
A Southwest Florida resident for more than 50 years, Randy brings decades of local knowledge along with experience as a local business owner, longtime sales and marketing professional, and career firefighter.
His focus is building Here in SWFL into a useful, practical platform that helps local businesses get discovered while giving the community a better way to find what Southwest Florida has to offer.
Michelle McGovern
Community Support & Local Connections
Michelle brings a welcoming, community-focused perspective to Here in SWFL.
She helps keep the project grounded in the people and relationships that make Southwest Florida special, supporting the mission of connecting residents, visitors, businesses, and local organizations throughout the area.
Her friendly nature and appreciation for the community help keep Here in SWFL focused on what matters most — local people supporting local people.
Kayla Barrantes
Creative Marketing Director & Partner
Kayla brings the creative energy behind much of the Here in SWFL brand.
She helps shape social media, digital marketing, promotional campaigns, creative direction, and the ways Here in SWFL connects businesses with the community.
Her ideas help keep the platform engaging, approachable, and constantly evolving as Here in SWFL continues to grow.
Alex
AI Guide for Here in SWFL
Alex is the friendly AI guide built into the Here in SWFL experience. Alex helps visitors quickly find information about local businesses, restaurants, services, hours, amenities, and other information available throughout the platform.
For participating businesses, Alex can also become part of an enhanced profile experience, helping answer common customer questions using the information provided by that business.
Alex is designed to make exploring Here in SWFL faster and easier — while keeping the focus where it belongs: on Southwest Florida’s local businesses, places, and people.
Built for Southwest Florida
Here in SWFL is being built for the people who live here, the businesses that serve them, and the visitors who want to experience more of the region.
Explore local. Support local. Discover more of Southwest Florida.