Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County

10/28/2026

Building Relationships. Creating Opportunities. It's what we do at the EDC!

We are looking forward to our exclusive EDC Investor Social, welcoming Sarasota County's business and community leaders for an evening of meaningful conversation and valuable connections at a new venue this year! Our Investors will be among the first to preview our Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Report, celebrating the milestones, achievements, and momentum their partnership has helped make possible. We believe strong relationships drive economic success. Our Investor events create opportunities to strengthen partnerships, celebrate our collective impact, and look ahead to what's next for Sarasota County's economy.

A special thank you to SouthState Bank for generously sponsoring this year's event!

📸 Here's a look back at some great moments from last year's Investor Social. We look forward to another memorable evening! EDC Investors: Check your email for your invitation and event details.

10/27/2026

Exciting recognition for our region! North Port–Bradenton–Sarasota ranks No. 6 nationally for talent attraction in Lightcast’s 2026 Talent Attraction Scorecard.

For Sarasota County, the goal is to translate that momentum into lasting economic opportunities: helping local businesses grow, supporting higher-wage careers and building a more diverse economy.

That takes continued collaboration among employers, education partners and local leaders. At the EDC, we’re focused on connecting those efforts so more people can build their careers, and their futures, here.

Thank you to the Business Observer for highlighting our region’s progress.

Tampa Bay, North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota and Lakeland-Winter Haven all earned top spots among large metros for nationwide talent attraction.

10/21/2026

Connecting local employers with great talent starts with knowing the resources available in our community.

We recently hosted an information session with Goodwill Manasota to help employers learn how to connect with job-ready candidates. From referrals tailored to hiring needs to hiring events and follow-up support, Goodwill offers a practical path to finding talent.

Thank you to Goodwill Manasota and Margie Genter for sharing your expertise and to the employers who joined us. These connections help strengthen local businesses and create career opportunities for our residents.

10/16/2026

We love when our Investors stop by! It was great to welcome Josh Talkington from Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) to the EDC office, and the timing could not have been better. His visit coincided with SRQ being names #1 Best Resort Airport in USA TODAY'S 10Best Readers' Choice Awards for the second consecutive year. Congratulations to Team SRQ and its partners on this well-deserved recognition. As a key economic driver for our region, SRQ is an important partner in attracting business investment, expanding connectivity, and advancing aviation and aerospace initiatives that create new opportunities for Sarasota County.

10/15/2026

We are excited to kick off the inaugural CEO Academy with GrowFL bringing together 10 Sarasota County business leaders ready to take their companies to the next level. Designed for second-stage companies, the program provides personalized guidance, expert insights and strategic resources to help CEOs navigate growth challenges and position their businesses for long-term success. A special thank you to Synovus for hosting our kickoff meeting and for their valued partnership in supporting Sarasota County's growing business community.

We look forward to following the progress of our inaugural cohort as they turn challenges into opportunities and continue building a stronger local economy. Meet our companies:
Storyvox, InnovateK12, Aladdin Equipment, Omega3 Innovations, RITE Technology
Causeway Bridge to Innovation LLC, Audigr Group, Inc, The Holliday Group, Align Consulting, Music Compound

10/13/2026

In conjunction with our colleagues in our region, we are sharing The Small Business Credit Survey for our local businesses to consider to submit a response in order to understand the pulse of our community. The survey is a national sample of small businesses, or firms with fewer than 500 employees, aimed at providing insight into firms' financing and debt needs and experiences. Analysis of this dataset is issued through a series of reports. For those who wish to take 10-12 minutes to take the survey, here is the link: https://fedreserveboard.gov1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_38k9xZy8ayEERue?orgID=20251046

Federal Reserve Small Business Credit Survey

10/07/2026

Erin Silk, president and CEO of Sarasota County EDC, detailed the region’s remarkable growth and strategic initiatives fueling its economic expansion in caa's newsletter, Focus: Tampa Bay 7th Edition, highlighting our institution's role in regional development, student success and community engagement.

View the full newsletter here: https://ow.ly/twby50ZUIrR

10/05/2026

Regional collaboration is key to growing our economy and competing for investment on a global scale. Our team recently visited Carlos Buqueras and his team at SeaPort Manatee with Shirar O’Connor, CEO of the Bradenton Area EDC, for a closer look at the port’s significant economic impact and a conversation about how we can work together to strengthen our regional economy and attract more foreign direct investment from markets already connected to our region through global trade. The scale of SeaPort Manatee’s impact is impressive:
• More than 42,000 direct and indirect jobs supported throughout Florida
• More than 11 million tons of cargo moving through the port each year
• The closest U.S. deepwater seaport to the Panama Canal, providing an important gateway for international commerce and critical goods serving Southwest and Central Florida
For Sarasota County, proximity to this global trade gateway is an important economic development asset. By working regionally, we can build stronger connections to international markets, pursue foreign direct investment, and create new opportunities for businesses across the region.

Thank you to SeaPort Manatee and the Bradenton Area EDC for the conversation and continued partnership. There is tremendous potential in thinking and working regionally.

09/30/2026

What an incredible Annual Meeting! Thank you to the business and community leaders, elected officials, partners and friends who joined us for the EDC of Sarasota County’s 2026 Annual Meeting. From valuable insights shared by Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Laura DiBella to the conversations and connections throughout the day, it was an engaging celebration of our mission and Sarasota County’s economic future. We are excited to share some of our favorite moments from the day. Thank you for being part of it!

09/23/2026

A special thank you to the incredible sponsors helping make our upcoming 2026 Annual Meeting possible! Your partnership and investment extend far beyond this event. Your support strengthens the EDC’s work to attract investment, help businesses grow and create new opportunities for Sarasota County. We are grateful to have you alongside us as we celebrate our progress and look ahead to what’s next. Thank you for your partnership, your leadership and your commitment to Leading Business Forward. We look forward to celebrating with you on September 24!