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Congratulations to Billy and Salli!

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(Photography: Brian Tietz / Special to The News-Press)

We’re thrilled to report that our dear friends, Billy and Salli Kirkland, owners of Billy’s Rentals, were recently honored with the 22nd Annual Blue Chip Community Business Award

As the “Business Observer” reports:

“Billy’s Rentals is announced as the 22nd annual Blue Chip Community Business Award winner. After overcoming many permit, environmental and professional challenges, owner Billy Kirkland has fostered a successful beach equipment rental-related business on Sanibel and Captiva Island, focusing on a local customer base.

Billy’s Rentals is the largest bicycle rental business on Sanibel and Captiva Island. With an initial challenge of small island sensitivity to commercialization in its earlier years, the beach equipment business worked to earn the trust and respect of the community through participation in many community events, fundraisers, and conservation efforts. Since then, Billy’s Rentals has become a well-respected and trusted philanthropic business in the community.

‘Mr. Kirkland’s message of perseverance resonates with us all,’ said Scott Gregory, CIC, CRM, BB&T-Oswald-Trippe and Company vice president. ‘He had a vision of a much-needed rental and retail business on Sanibel. However, when faced with the challenges of the delicate nature of the island, he worked tirelessly with city leaders, business owners and residents to earn the respect of the community.’

The Blue Chip Community Business Award is given to for-profit businesses in Southwest Florida who have overcome adversity to achieve success. The finalists are determined through an application process that is reviewed by an impartial panel of judges. This year the five finalists were: King Fisher Fleet, Old 41 Restaurant, Billy’s Rentals, Papa Joe’s, and Spatini Tea Bar.

The 2016 Southwest Florida Blue Chip Community Business Award is endorsed by the Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce, Business Observer, Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce, Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, Charlotte County Economic Development Office, Christian Chamber of Southwest Florida, City of Cape Coral Economic Development Office, Englewood-Cape Haze Area Chamber of Commerce, Estero Chamber of Commerce, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida Southwestern State College, Florida Weekly, Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, Greater Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce, Gulfshore Business, Hodges University, Lee County Economic Development Office/Horizon Council, Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce, Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce, Southwest Florida Business Today, Southwest Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, The Chamber of Southwest Florida, The Greater Fort Myers Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and The Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce.”

This award is indeed a “blue chip” honor, and on behalf of all of us at Ocean’s Reach, our heartfelt congratulations to Billy and Salli on this very-well-deserved recognition!

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