Author: Jasmine

Neal Communities Donates $75,000 for Inclusive Playground in Bradenton

The Bradenton community celebrated a groundbreaking on Oct. 11 at Lewis Park to recognize the construction of the city’s first ever all-inclusive playground experience, which will provide recreational and active-living opportunities for every child in the region.

The $415,000 ADA-compliant playground was made possible through a partnership between the City of Bradenton and the Rotary’s Suncoast Playground Projects, Inc., which obtained community donations from organizations, businesses and individuals.

Among those who donated, Neal Communities, as a company, contributed $75,000 to the project, and Neal Communities President Michael Storey contributed $15,000 of his own personal funds.

“We’ve all heard the familiar sounds of a playground where kids are laughing and shrieking and playing. To be denied as a kid is not fair,” Storey said. “We are truly happy that — as both an organization and through my own family — we could help make this playground a reality for everyone.”

Once completed, the playground will be the only purpose-built destination of its kind in Manatee County, serving children of all ages and abilities in the immediate region. The playground will include separate play areas for ages 2 to 5 and for ages 5 to 12. The playground also will include a section of swings – including one that can accommodate a child in a wheelchair.

Lewis Park is considered a neighborhood park with shade trees, walking trails, two gazebos and grills. It is situated on First Avenue West between 30th and 31st Streets.

The project was spearheaded by Rotary Clubs of Manatee County, a network of several Rotary clubs in the area. Rotary’s Suncoast Playground Projects, Inc. was formed and launched a capital campaign in 2016, after a grandmother approached the club to help her grandson, Easton, who is confined to a wheelchair. She explained to the Rotarians that there was no playground in Manatee County for Easton to enjoy, said Tom Norton, who heads the Rotary’s Suncoast Playground Projects, Inc.

“Our Rotary Club was very interested in helping, so we put together a plan,” Norton said.

Neal Communities was one of the first major contributors to the campaign, he said. “It was Neal Communities who kickstarted our capital campaign with their donation. They gave us a great shot in the arm to get us going.”

Afterward, more donations started to come from businesses and individuals. Norton said that once the fundraising was completed, they were thrilled to learn that the City of Bradenton was interested in putting a playground at Lewis Park.

“The entire Rotary’s Suncoast Playground Projects, Inc. team is profoundly grateful for every contribution, large and small, that we have received,” Norton said in a release from the City of Bradenton. “Our mission of providing an inclusive playground that every child can enjoy is becoming a reality. Thank you to everyone who has helped us get closer to that goal.”

For Easton, the playground has been a long time coming, said his mother, Jennifer Crofoot. Born with spina bifida, Easton will never walk. Although that has not slowed the charismatic, naturally happy boy, she said. “He can do anything that his friends can do; he just has to do it differently,” Crofoot said. “In fact, when he was a little kid, some of his friends would go home and tell their parents that they wanted a wheelchair, too.”

Crofoot said it was her mother who first approached the Rotary Club for help with a playground for Easton. At the time, she and her mother didn’t realize they would be starting a seven-year campaign. “The City of Bradenton has been incredible. We’re glad everything is happening now, as it should,” Crofoot said. She is hoping to host Easton’s 12th birthday at the playground in January.

“I’m thrilled this is finally coming to fruition,” Crofoot said. “Most people would have walked away years ago from this. But the Rotary stuck through, and Pat (Neal) and Mike (Storey) both got the ball rolling with their big donation. We’re really grateful for that.”

The City of Bradenton was proud to come on board and offer a place for the specialized playground, said Mayor Gene Brown.

“Working with the Rotary Club on this ADA compliant playground is something the City of Bradenton and all of its residents can be proud of,” Brown said. “We want no child to be excluded from enjoying our neighborhood parks. We are so grateful for the efforts of the Rotary Club, and we can’t wait to see our children enjoying this beautiful park.”

Councilwoman Marianne Barnebey echoed the Mayor’s thoughts. She represents the city’s Ward Two, the district where Lewis Park is located. “The City of Bradenton is working to upgrade all of its neighborhood parks to be ADA compliant,” she said. “We are grateful to the Rotary Club for its donation of almost a half a million dollars to support the City in this effort to convert Lewis Park to have a playground that all kids can enjoy. Having a community partner to do this means that we can get to other parks sooner. We are thrilled to be able to offer community parks that will serve all children who want to use it.”

For more information about the City of Bradenton’s parks system, visit CityofBradenton.com/ParksRec.

October 14, 2022
Neal Communities Earns First Place in the 2022 Top Workplaces Annual Survey, Pat Neal Received Special Recognition for Leadership

Neal Communities recently took top honors in the large organizations category of a survey designed to recognize Top Workplaces in Sarasota and Manatee and Counties.

Conducted by the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and Energage, The Top Workplaces program surveys employees to collect feedback on the employee experience, culture, and other critical areas of employee satisfaction. Out of 504 participating organizations, 22 employers made the winners list, with Neal Communities being number one of the four large organizations recognized.

In a Sarasota Herald-Tribune article that ran on September 16, Pat Neal, founder of Neal Communities, said, “All employees at Neal Communities have a voice that is listened to, appreciated and respected. Every year we celebrate our team members’ commitment and success through initiatives like our Years of Service recognition or our annual Guiding Principles Award, which honors an employee who illuminates the principles that guide us at Neal Communities.”

Company benefits were highlighted, including compensation growth, bonuses, career advancement, comprehensive health care plans, employer-paid life insurance, supplemental insurance, long- and short-term disability insurance, employer-paid ID theft protection, a generous company-matching 401(K), paid time off, a wellness program, tuition reimbursement, employee assistance program (EAP) and employee service awards. In addition, employees have the opportunity to purchase a Neal home at a savings or have work done on their existing home through Neal’s trusted vendors.

In addition to the employer rankings, Pat Neal was recognized as a Special Award honoree for Leadership. The award was based on receiving the highest rating from employees to the survey criteria, “I have confidence in the leader of this company” for large companies.

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

October 12, 2022
Message from Pat Neal on Hurricane Ian

To our friends:

Tragedies often make us see things from a new perspective. From our family to yours, we extend our
sincerest hope that you and yours are safe. We are grateful to hear that so many of our homeowners
fared relatively well through this destructive storm, though we realize that thousands of our
friends and neighbors are still without power, water, resources, and are struggling in the aftermath.

I am humbled by and proud of how our team came together, unified in preparing our neighborhoods
for Hurricane Ian, steadfast in the face of such disaster. We are also thankful to our homeowners,
who put their faith in our team to build safe homes and provide caring customer service.

The people of Florida are strong and resilient, and I am in awe. This does not diminish the struggles
our friends have faced, and the strength that is needed in the weeks ahead. I pray that we all are
able to return to normalcy quickly. Let’s continue to help each other wherever needed, in the spirit of
fortitude and compassion.

Sincerely,
Pat Neal, CEO

October 5, 2022
An Important Update from Neal Communities Regarding Hurricane Ian

To Our Families, Friends, and Homeowners:

As we begin to recover from the effects of Hurricane Ian, it is our sincerest hope that you and yours are safe. We are hopeful that the storm’s impact on you and your family was not severe, though we realize that thousands of our friends and neighbors are still without power and are struggling in the aftermath.

As it has done in the past, our team came together in advance of the storm to prepare our neighborhoods and help ensure the safety of those who live there from nearby construction.

For those currently building with us, we are assessing our communities and a Neal Communities employee will be in touch with you as soon as possible to give an update on your home.

For homeowners, we are thankful to you for putting your trust in our team to build you a safe, solid, and beautiful home. While we adhere to the highest standards, we know you may have questions.

If you have experienced water intrusion or other damage to your home during the storm event, they should be reported to your insurer to be mitigated on an emergency basis.

If you have other concerns and you are still under your warranty period, please reach out to your respective warranty representative and we’ll begin to follow up on all calls as soon as we can. Please note that warranty emergencies will be prioritized based on severity.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we all begin to recover from the impacts of Hurricane Ian. As we persevere and return to a sense of normalcy, let’s continue to help each other in getting through this challenging time.

September 30, 2022
An Important Message From Neal Communities Regarding Hurricane Ian

First and foremost, please be prepared, stay safe, and heed advice from our local emergency officials. The well-being of our staff, families and homeowners is of the utmost importance. Due to the unpredictability of Hurricane Ian’s path, our offices and model homes will likely be closed starting at 6 p.m. Tuesday and should start to reopen on Friday at 8 a.m. (varying by location).

Our preparation is in full swing as Ian approaches the Gulf, and our team has developed a well thought-out and historically proven plan for hurricane preparedness. We began those preparations six days before the predicted landfall. Our team is working with our trade partners to complete the implementation of this plan prior to Tuesday evening, well in advance of the hurricane’s current track.

We understand the number one concern for many homeowners is flying debris, and we are managing our active construction sites to the best of our ability. However, in no circumstance could we ever completely eliminate this occurrence and do not want to set that expectation. We certainly advise residents of our communities to utilize storm shutters provided if necessary to help protect their home and take all advised precautions to ensure their personal safety. Bear with us as we do our best, but please understand that we simply cannot respond to every inquiry at this point or over the next couple of days as our staff focuses on securing our sites, as well as on their family’s personal safety and well-being.

As weather conditions change, and as needed, we will update this message, so please check this page and our Facebook page for any updated information.

We look forward to returning to our normal business late this week. In the meantime, thank you again for your patience and please stay safe throughout Hurricane Ian.

September 26, 2022
Lakewood Ranch Stays Top-Selling Community in The Nation

Travelers visit Florida for a myriad of reasons. Whether it’s the warm weather, white-sand beaches or a vibrant arts scene, the coastal charm draws many to the Sunshine State. This often leads visitors down the path of homeownership in Southwest Florida, an environment that makes every day feel like a vacation.

Where You Live Matters, and this is why people come to Lakewood Ranch, a master-planned community located in Southwest Florida’s Manatee and Sarasota Counties. The year-round outdoor living, countless venues and accessibility to the rest of Southwest Florida reflect Neal Communities’ core tenet – neighborhoods providing growth, connection and the dream of the Florida lifestyle.

As a proud partner, we were overjoyed to see Lakewood Ranch celebrate its fifth consecutive year as the top-selling community in the country! This community already amassed 1,026 sales this year, and there are two key factors contributing to its success.

Quality & Connection

One driving reason for Lakewood Ranch’s popularity is its location and major attractions. Lakewood Ranch is near Sarasota, which ranked #9 in the U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Places to Live” list this year. The area includes top-rated schools, a lively downtown area, invaluable health care offerings and excellent beaches. As a multigenerational community, this accessibility provides a major boon to families – the ability to thrive and enjoy every aspect of life.

“Southwest Florida is one of the most desirable relocation markets in the country,” says Laura Cole, Senior Vice President of Lakewood Ranch. “Lakewood Ranch offers newcomers an incredible lifestyle and strong sense of community in it.”

A metropolis with an intimate atmosphere, Lakewood Ranch’s services provide residents with countless opportunities to turn neighbors into close friends. This principle is the bedrock for a strong community, and we are honored to build in an area emphasizing connection and adventure.

Continuous Growth

One of the many joys in homebuilding and ownership is seeing communities flourish over the years. Established in 1994, Lakewood Ranch began with one neighborhood in its vast acres. This natural beauty and boundless potential enticed Neal to be part of what would become a major hub. By 1998, we began building in the area, starting with our master-planned Lakewood Ranch Country Club community and many more to follow.

With 33,000+ acres of land at its disposal, Lakewood Ranch is able to showcase the best of Southwest Florida living. Over the past 25 years, 1,400 businesses laid roots in the area, allowing residents to experience the uniqueness of this cultural coast. We are also happy to continue serving the area, opening our beautiful Indigo and Windward communities in 2018 and 2020.

Since its creation, Lakewood Ranch provided new offerings such as community parks and winding nature trails. This also includes two major shopping centers – Main Street, featuring boutique shops and restaurants, and The Green, a shopping center ideal for purchasing groceries and daily necessities.

The town shows no signs of slowing down. Recently, Lakewood Ranch opened Waterside Place, a new town center presenting a blend of local and name-brand stores with a picturesque view of Kingfisher Lake. This explosive growth affords Lakewood Ranch with the chance to add to its current 57,000+ residents and expand its own rich culture.

We enjoy contributing to the success of this beautiful town. To learn more about the communities matching your needs, contact us here.

September 26, 2022
Neal Communities Provides $6,500 in Community Sponsorships in Sarasota and Manatee Counties and the Suncoast

Southwest Florida’s premier private homebuilder, Neal Communities, recently donated $6,500 to various community organizations in Sarasota and Manatee Counties and the Suncoast.

Neal Communities gave $2,500 as a premier event sponsor of the Suncoast Chapter of Jack and Jill of America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities College Fair; $1,500 to sponsor the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties Leadership Breakfast; $1,000 as the Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc Humanitarian of the Year Sponsor for the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund 2022 Wine Soiree; $1,000 to Lakewood Ranch Baseball and $500 as a Birdie Sponsor of the Manatee County Public Works United Way Golf Tournament.

Neal Communities has a philanthropic culture and a core belief that “Where You Live Matters.” The latest giving is part of more than $7.5 million Neal Communities has donated to local charities and causes throughout Southwest Florida.

“We love to see our employees get involved in organizations that make a difference in the community, and we support them,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities. Often, the organizations Neal donates to are selected because they are important to Neal Communities’ employees.

Neal Communities Area Sales Manager Elayne McKinney explained why Jack and Jill of America is meaningful to her and why she appreciates her employer’s sponsorship of the organization. “My Mother was one of the charter members of the Suncoast Chapter of Jack and Jill of America that was organized in the Spring of 1989. I grew up in these enrichment programs,” McKinney said. “As a child and teenager I was involved in philanthropic giving, leadership modules and strong value of commitment to family and community. I have served as president and presently on the executive board.”

Jack and Jill of America and its partners hosted the area’s only college fair for historically black colleges and universities (HBCU). The Virtual College Fair will took place on Sept. 15, giving attendees the opportunity to speak to alumni and admissions reps from colleges and universities and to learn about the college admissions process, financial aid, scholarships, Greek life and more. The virtual event was followed by an in-person panel discussion at Shorecrest Preparatory School in St. Petersburg on Sept. 17. The panel included Shorecrest’s director of college counseling, Myra Simpson, along with college admissions representatives.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties Leadership Breakfast was held on Friday, September 9, and honored Carolyn Mason and Steve Cantees, two individuals who are actively making a difference in the lives of teenagers in the local community. Ivory Matthews, Neal Communities’ vice president of community of governmental affairs, said, “We have participated with the Boys & Girls Clubs for years and it is incredible what they have been able to accomplish. The most important thing we can do for our community is to give our time and be a part of youth development. I challenge everyone, especially the leaders in our community, to volunteer their time and put in the work with our youth.”

“We are grateful to Neal Communities for their ongoing commitment to our mission and programs. With their support, we are ensuring that thousands of children and teens across Sarasota and DeSoto Counties have access to opportunities that will help them achieve their full potential,” said Bill Sadlo, president/CEO at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties. “This support empowers our Club members to excel in school, become leaders, live healthy lifestyles and create plans for success after high school graduation.”

To donate to The Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties and support teen programming, visit www.bgcsdc.org.

The Manatee County Public Works United Way Golf Tournament will be held at 8 a.m. on Oct. 15, 2022, at Tara Golf and Country Club. This year marks the 27th anniversary of the event.

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

September 20, 2022
Neal Communities Donates $50,000 to Riverview High School’s Construction Academy

Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s largest private homebuilder, donated $50,000 toward Riverview High School’s new Construction Academy, designed to prepare high school students for a career in the building industry.

Riverview High School’s new construction technology program will be the first of its kind in Sarasota County. The program will incorporate a curriculum from the National Center of Construction Education and Research along with providing hands-on experiences for students.

Currently, 60 students are enrolled in the program, which also has a waiting list. Those that complete the curriculum are eligible to earn industry-recognized credentials and have access to local internships, apprenticeships and jobs.

Charlene Neal, president of Charlene Neal PureStyle, a partner company of Neal Communities, organized the $50,000 donation on behalf of Neal Communities because of her desire to support a program that would have lasting positive effects on the students at Riverview High School, her alma mater.

“We are very happy to support Riverview High School’s new Construction Academy, which was designed to provide long-term career solutions and opportunities to its students,” Neal said. “Our hope is that students acquire both the skills and enthusiasm for success in the building industry.”

In addition to its financial contribution, Neal Communities intends to provide staff resources to assist with the program, from guest speakers and field trip opportunities to internships and apprenticeships. The program also creates a pipeline of potential employees who already call Sarasota County home.

Neal Communities joins a variety of local supporters through the Gulf Coast Building Exchange that are working to make the new construction lab at Riverview High School possible. The donations garnered to date have helped renovate an art lab into a functioning shop for students. The community celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony on August 9.

“We are grateful for the community support,” said Riverview Principal Erin del Castillo. “I’m also grateful for the support of parents and the students, themselves. Everyone is truly excited about the opportunities that this new academy will bring to our students.”

The new program is designed similarly to a Manufacturing Academy at South Fort Myers High School, which launched about five years ago. The school’s Manufacturing Academy is allowing students to take elective credits in specific areas of focus, like electrical, painting, plumbing and masonry. del Castillo said she toured the South Fort Myers High School campus and was impressed with the enthusiasm and excitement she heard from students enrolled in the classes. “The passion they had for the career path they were on was evident,” she said. “As an educator, you want that for every student.”

The program launches at a time when the nation faces a shortage of construction workers. According to an Associated Builders and Contractors’ independent study, the construction industry will need to attract an estimated 650,000 additional workers on top of the normal hiring pace in the coming year to meet the demand for labor. 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 today’s world, students have many opportunities to be successful. The Construction Academy allows students to either continue their construction studies at the university level or have an immediate local pathway to start a fulfilling career,” del Castillo said.

August 17, 2022
Amenity Center Opens in Neal Communities’ Windward Neighborhood in Lakewood Ranch

Residents of Windward at Lakewood Ranch, a Neal Communities neighborhood, have a new reason to enjoy their community. A 9,600-square-foot clubhouse with a gathering center, full-time activities director and state-of-the-art fitness center recently opened.

The neighborhood amenities also include two resort-style pools – one for families with children and one for adults only, as well as pickleball and tennis courts, trails for walking and biking, and playgrounds and park areas.

“We want residents of Neal Communities to love where they live,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities. “This amenity center for Windward will be a center of community for these families to enjoy for years to come.”

Windward at Lakewood Ranch is located near 1-75 at Fruitville and Lorraine Roads in Sarasota County. It is a gated community featuring homes with two to four bedrooms, ranging in square footage from 1,434 to 2,936. Home prices start at $495,990 and there are new homes under construction now. Visit staging.nealcommunities.com/new-homes/windward/ for more information

August 8, 2022
A Great Home In Grand Park

Dear Mr. Neal,

I wanted to take a moment to provide feedback regarding a home that Neal Communities is building for my wife and me. Last February we signed a contract to purchase a home in the Grand Park community (a Sandcastle).

I have 45 years of experience in the construction industry, mostly in hospital & healthcare construction. I am a licensed Florida General Contractor (CGC-1512717). I know and understand the phases for design and construction of all types of residential homes & commercial buildings. I have been through the build process hundreds of times. Like Neal Communities. I live with the supply chain shortages that are now an ever-present part of the construction industry.

Right from day 1, it was clear that the processes that Neal Communities had in place to build the home (and build the community) were fabulous!! The paperwork, descriptions and breakdowns for all standard features, for all options; every part, piece, nut and bolt were accounted for! The paperwork and the line item descriptions left no confusion. There was no mystery. Electrical systems, elevations, landscaping, cabinetry; every item is documented and detailed clearly to avoid any confusion. In my opinion Neal Communities has one of the best documentation processes I have seen in the construction business. I also noticed Neal Communities does a great job at getting that information and documentation out to field personnel and the Subcontractors. Everyone understood what the specifications required on the home.

As good as the Neal Communities processes are, I have noticed another remarkable attribute your organization has. Your people are amazing! I am very pleased to tell you, the character, commitment and values displayed by everyone I have dealt with in your organization, are extraordinary.

A few people that need to be mentioned: David Sanvidge; since taking over as my sales associate, has communicated with me on a weekly basis. Typical sales associates are focused on selling the next home, not following up with their previous customers. David constantly relays progress, pictures and status updates. The follow-up on David’s part makes me feel like he is walking with us every step of the journey, through the build process.

On site, Alex Castaneda is delivering the highest quality home possible. Being in the construction business myself, I set an extremely high standard for quality and workmanship from the people & subcontractors I employ. It was great to see that Alex demands the same quality and attention to detail from the subcontractors working for Neal Communities. He kept in constant communication to ensure my questions and concerns were being addressed. I would like to recognize Alex for the heroic effort he made to ensure the house was constantly moving forward.Alex did a superb job of orchestrating the entire building process and managing the schedule. When a component or material was delayed due to supply chain issues, Alex made sure all other activities were ongoing. When I had questions, he was always there with his sleeves rolled up, getting it all sorted out.

How a project site is kept, speaks volumes about how the site is run: Is the site a “subcontractor run site” (not clean/ debris everywhere)? Or is the site clean and demonstrates the Project Manager is in charge of the project? Is the PM respected by the site’s subcontractors? It was clear that Alex is fully in charge of his site! The house was always clean and the rough grade always had positive drainage, with no standing water on the lot. Alex’s attentionto detail and his “customer first” philosophy are unrivaled. Alex has the drive and commitment to go far in the construction industry; his future is bright! Alex is truly a Neal Communities rock star!!

I get the feeling from all of your team that they were working for me alone. They make me feel that I am their single, most important customer. All of your team does a fantastic job communicating their portion to me. All ofthem encourage me to call if I have any questions or concerns. Every one of them takes whatever time is required to ensure my total satisfaction. Many have met with me during non-business hours to accommodate my schedule. They all deserve to be recognized for the job they are doing. Simply put, it is truly an outstanding, pleasant andtrouble-free process. Please take the time to convey to your team at Grand Park how much I appreciate the job they are doing and what a beautiful community they are creating!! I would also request that a copy of this letter beplaced in David’s and Alex’s personnel file for future reference.

One last comment; generally speaking, great staff and great team members are reflected through great leadership in an organization. It is evident the executive leadership drives a very high standard of quality; this radiates outward, throughout your organization’s culture. Neal Communities stands head & shoulders above all of the competition. Neal Communities is the premier home builder in Florida!!

Thank you for perfection!

Respectfully yours,

William A. Shevlin (Bill)

August 3, 2022