ACCOLADES
68 SARASOTA SCENE | MAY 2019
“We embrace our historic strengths. We’re not turning our back
on tourism and retirement. We’re all for that. We’re the ones
who wake up every morning thinking what we can do to bring
tech, manufacturing, insurance and risk management companies
as well as shared services companies here. Companies that get
most of their revenue from outside the market. We’re focused
on how we can get more of these types of companies here
and how they can thrive here.”
The EDC of Sarasota County’s roots, while it goes back
generations, is not very old at all. It was historically associated
with the Chamber of Commerce. Just prior to Huey coming on
board, the leadership broke the EDC away from the Chamber.
To Huey, that made perfect sense because the EDC’s goal is
primarily to serve businesses who mostly get their source of
and Tropicana. He believes that if the EDC can do a good job
of civic leaders and business leaders, who get together and
look at the trajectory of the economy and how it’s treating
the community.”
“Everybody’s looking at how the forces of the economy are
affecting our city, our county and community, and do we
like it? And if not, do we want to get together and try to
do something different.”
That something different rests in changing perceptions.
While it’s true we’re known for tourism and retirement, and
agriculture is also an important piece of the economy (but
not as big a part), the EDC’s leadership is exploring if we
can be even more than that.
“We’re that small group of folks who are swimming against
the stream with regard to how the outside market views
Sarasota. We’re a no brainer for tourism and as a place
to retire. But for tech and manufacturing? People say,
‘Sarasota? What?’”
says that’s a given. So, just what does excite the head of
Sarasota County’s EDC?
“Anything that’s not related to tourism, retirement and
construction,” he says. “The fact that we’re not viewed
as a place where tech and manufacturing happens. I get
excited about that.”
He’s excited about that because for Huey and the rest of
the EDC staff, it’s an opportunity they are very passionate
about—diversifying our economy.
#1 in the U.S.
10th Fastest-Growing Metropolitan Area
#1 as Best Place to Live in the State of FL
9th
Highest Growth Rate for the Millennial
Population
Sixth Best Performing City in the U.S.
#1 in State of Florida, #13 Nationally
“A+” Rating for 14th Consecutive Year
#1 on list of Best Cities to Launch a
Small Business in the US.
EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY
RETAIL
TRADE
15.33%
CONSTRUCTION
LEISURE &
HOSPITALITY
15.53%
WHOLESALE TRADE
2.64%
PROFESSIONAL
& BUSINESS
SERVICES
16.63%
EDUCATION
& HEALTH
20.74% TOTAL: 155,603
100%
MANUFACTURING
5.44%
GOVERNMENT
2.66%
OTHER
SERVICES
3.88%
8.50%
MINING .27%
TRANSPORTATION
& WAREHOUSING
1.13%
INFORMATION
1.40%
FINANCIAL
ACTIVITIES
5.86%
Source: Department
of Economic Opportunity
Courtesy of EDC Fast Facts 2018
Courtesy of EDC Fast Facts 2018