 |
Message |
|
|
From time-to-time, we submit a guest column about current economic trends to weekly newspapers and community newsletters. In the most recent article, we discussed the slow-down in the residential real estate market and how our economy is doing overall. The slow-down in Sarasota County’s residential real estate market affects many people whose livelihoods depend on that industry. It also illustrates why our community needs to broaden, or diversify, its economy beyond the traditional – and often cyclical – industries of real estate and tourism. [more] |
Lights, Camera, Action: EDC Prepares for Film and Entertainment Office
In October we moved a step closer to the creation of a new Film & Entertainment Office in Sarasota County. The Board of County Commissioners approved a one-time allocation of $60,000 for startup. This month we will create the Film Advisory Committee, which will meet to help us begin the process of hiring a film commissioner. This is an exciting step for our community and the EDC is looking forward to the opportunity. [related press release]
EDC's New Website Online
The EDC’s new website has been launched and it is more user friendly than ever before! You can now make reservations for events online, check on information about upcoming activities and read about incentives and programs available for local businesses. Additional services, including an investor portal and commercial property search, will be unveiled later this month. Please take a look and let us know what you think: www.edcsarasotacounty.com.
Florida Speaker of the House to Headline Economic Outlook 2007
We are pleased to announce that the Florida Speaker of the House, Marco Rubio, will give the keynote address at Economic Outlook 2007: Forecasting Local and Global Competitiveness on Friday, Jan. 26. The event will also include a panel of local business leaders discussing the economic forecast from their perspectives. This must-attend event always fills up early. Online registration will begin in mid-November. For more information, contact Ronnie Meurs.
Manatee and Sarasota EDCs To Meet
A joint meeting of the Manatee EDC and the EDC of Sarasota County boards of directors will be held in December. On the agenda is a discussion about growing the bioscience business sector in our region and providing incubator services to local technology entrepreneurs. This is the first time in several years that these two leadership groups have met to discuss regional economic development issues.
EDC Welcomes New Members
The EDC gained three new investors in September. We welcome:
Comerica Private Banking - Corporate Sponsor
Global Signal - Corporate Director
JCR Systems - Sponsor
Monthly Unemployment Rate Goes Unchanged
Sarasota County’s unemployment rate for October remained unchanged at 2.9%. This month’s rate is lower than last September’s rate of 3.1%. Over the past year, the Sarasota-Bradenton-Venice MSA gained 13,100 jobs, representing a 4.4% increase. Florida’s job growth rate was 2.9%, which was more than twice the national rate of 1.3%.
From August to September, the Sarasota-Bradenton-Venice area lost 900 jobs. The biggest portion of this decrease came from Trade, Transportation, and Utilities with 400 jobs lost, and Professional and Business Services with 400 jobs lost. Additional job loss occurred in Leisure and Hospitality (-300) and Total Government (-100). Job growth occurred in Education and Health Services (+200) and Manufacturing (+100).
Upcoming Events
For a complete listing of activities, please visit the EDC calendar of events
November 6 Investor Update Breakfast, 7:45 a.m., Heron Creek Country Club, North Port
November 15 Creative Services Cluster Workgroup, 3:00-5:00 p.m., GWIZ
December 4 Investor Update Breakfast, 7:45 a.m., Laurel Oak Golf and Country Club
December 7 Business Climate Workgroup, 8:30 a.m. -10:00 a.m., Sarasota Herald Tribune
January 26 Economic Outlook 2007, 11:30 a.m., Michaels On East
