The Southern Group rides Southwest Florida wave with Fort Myers expansion

The Southern Group is planting its flag in Southwest Florida by opening a new office in Fort Myers.

The move marks the firm’s eighth office in Florida and signals a deeper push into a part of the state that’s quickly becoming a hub for growth, development and policy activity.

To lead the effort, the state’s largest lobbying firm is tapping two seasoned hands: Nick Grant and Eddie Metzger.

Grant comes to The Southern Group from Lee Health, where he served as director of government relations for one of the largest health systems in Southwest Florida. In that role, he helped secure millions in state and federal funding and built relationships with policymakers to support workforce expansion, infrastructure and access to care.

“I’ve seen firsthand the impact of Nick’s work — from helping qualified candidates get elected across Florida to securing millions of dollars in state appropriations and advancing meaningful policies that benefit our citizens, our systems, and our environment,” said Sen. Ralph Massullo. “Nick has built a reputation for navigating tough issues and getting results, and I have no doubt he will be a great asset to The Southern Group.”

Metzger brings more than 20 years of experience spanning the legislature, the energy sector and private practice. After starting in the Florida House, he moved into senior legislative roles with TECO Energy and Ygrene Energy before launching Coastline Strategies, where he built a client base across industries and developed a reputation for navigating complex regulatory environments.

“Eddie is a trusted advocate and friend who understands how to bring people together to move important issues forward,” said Charlotte County Commissioner Bill Truex. “His work reflects a deep commitment to the communities and industries that make Florida strong, and I’ve always appreciated his professionalism, insight, and dedication to getting things done the right way.”

The timing of the expansion aligns with continued growth in Southwest Florida, fueled by population increases, a post-hurricane construction boom and a rapidly expanding tech sector. That growth is driving increased demand for experienced advocates who can help businesses and organizations navigate an evolving policy landscape.

“Southwest Florida is growing at an extraordinary pace,” said Seth McKeel, The Southern Group’s market leader for Central and Southwest Florida.

“That kind of growth creates demand for strategic advocacy at both the state and local level. Establishing a presence in Fort Myers ensures we’re on the ground to help clients navigate those opportunities and complexities, and there’s no better team to lead that effort than Nick and Eddie.”

The new Fort Myers office will give the firm a physical presence in a region where local government decisions are increasingly shaping major projects and investment. Grant and Metzger will represent clients before local governments across Southwest Florida while also engaging in state-level advocacy efforts.