As Ave Maria has been designed as a self-sustaining town, all Essential Services are readily available.

• Schools: In addition to the University, an on-site Kindergarten-through-12th grade parochial school is now open. Land has also been granted to the Collier County Public Schools to build an elementary and middle school on site as soon the requisite number of children live in the community. In the interim, children who live at Ave Maria can attend Corkscrew Middle, Estates Elementary and Palmetto Ridge High Schools, all located several miles west of Ave Maria on Oil Well Road.

• Health Care: Currently on site, Emergency Physicians of Naples and the Dental Health Group are available to meet medical and dental needs. At least three major hospitals -- Naples Community Hospital and Physicians Regional Hospital (each with two campuses in Collier County), and the Lee Memorial System, which includes a Children's Hospital and is located in Lee County -- are fairly close by.

• Public Safety: The Collier County Sheriff's Office has established a work station at Ave Maria and maintains regular patrols.

• Fire/EMS Coverage: The Immokalee Fire Department also has an Ave Maria substation, and is joined there by the Collier County Emergency Medical Services.

• Libraries: Branches of the Collier County Library are located in Golden Gate Estates (southwest of Ave Maria) and Immokalee (northwest of Ave Maria).

Employment Opportunities

Also notable are employment opportunities at or near Ave Maria. Within Ave Maria, job opportunities are growing weekly, not only within the University and Town organizations, but also within the retail, professional, and manufacturing businesses that will call Ave Maria home. In addition, Ave Maria is within commuting distance to at least three major markets - Naples, Fort Myers, and Fort Lauderdale.