Heatherwood Construction Named Best Place to Work in SWFL by Gulfshore Business Magazine
As seen in Gulfshore Business Magazine June 2026
Regardless of profession, personnel or perks, every business forges its own path and runs at its own pace. Attorneys and accountants may serve different clientele. Marketers and medical professionals have their own unique workspaces. However, 27 Southwest Florida businesses share one common denominator: Each is among the Best Places to Work in Southwest Florida.
Though their work may differ, these businesses all share the distinction of having created better workplaces for their employees. Beyond being a leader in its respective field, each of these employers has also taken the lead in caring for the people who keep its business running.
To earn recognition as one of the Best Places to Work in Southwest Florida, local companies pay a fee to apply to the Best Companies Group (BCG) of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, an independent research firm focused on identifying and recognizing great places to work. BCG then administers a two-part survey — one for employers that details company policies, practices, benefits and demographics, and another for employees that includes an in-depth set of 77 statements they are asked to respond to on a scale of 1 through 5. This survey section also includes two open-ended questions and seven demographic questions.
The data collected is analyzed by BCG to determine the Best Places to Work in Southwest Florida. Gulfshore Business does not participate in the survey or selection process.
Eligibility is open to any publicly or privately held business, government or nonprofit entity with facilities or operations in Southwest Florida and a minimum of 15 full-time or part-time employees working in the region or reporting to a local regional office. Eligible participants must also have been in business for a minimum of one year. To find out more about the process, or to apply, visit BestPlacesToWorkSWFL.com.
Now that you know the selection criteria, read on to see who made the cut. Then join us in honoring the 27 workplaces that have been named the Best Places to Work in Southwest Florida in 2026.
22. Heatherwood Construction Company
City:Â Bonita Springs
Website:Â heatherwoodconstruction.com
Year founded:Â 1980
CEO:Â Walter Crawford, president & CEO
Industry:Â Construction
Employees in SWFL:Â 34
Founded in 1980, Heatherwood Construction Company is a full-service commercial general contractor serving clients throughout Florida. With a focus on excellence, strong client relationships and a people-first approach to construction, the company is guided by its LEGACY core values: leadership, excellence, gratitude, accountability, character and life balance.
“At its core, Heatherwood believes that great projects start with great people. This philosophy drives everything from how we hire and develop team members to how we serve clients and partners in the field. We’ve built a reputation for not only delivering high-quality construction projects, but for creating a workplace where people truly thrive,” says Walter Crawford, president and CEO. “But building stronger communities goes beyond our projects. Our team is deeply committed to supporting those in need and creating lasting impact through our shared efforts.”
Dedicated to fostering a workplace where employees enjoy working together and building meaningful relationships, the company offers quarterly team-building events ranging from bowling outings and boat cruises to an annual cornhole tournament and sporting events. Heatherwood also hosts an annual holiday celebration for employees and their families and offers optional monthly Bible studies. Employees are encouraged to participate in industry and nonprofit boards and committees, with flexible scheduling to support causes they care about.
Heatherwood provides a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees both professionally and personally. This includes a fully funded medical plan, a 401(k) program, a health savings account and additional benefits. The company prioritizes safety at every level, requiring all team members to obtain OSHA 30-hour certification. Heatherwood also offers tuition reimbursement, continuing education, professional certifications and leadership development programs.
Read the full article here.
