Economic Development
The Commerce Sarasota Council enters its 3rd year focused on the following:
- Reaching out and identifying key issues with Chamber members
- Providing productive "hot topic" forums
- Help existing business profit, grow and succeed
- Support key issues and projects that contribute to the economic vitality and quality of life in our community
With an ongoing corporate visitation program, council members and Chamber staff have identified these issues:
- Workforce shortages and lack of skilled labor
- Lack of workforce housing
- Transit service shortages
- Rising insurance costs
The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County conducted a Business Climate Survey in 2007 to determine the attitudes of Sarasota County's business owners/managers about the existing business climate. The results in 2007 identified key issues to be addressed, and are used as a baseline to measure progress toward improving these specific concerns and the overall business climate in the county.
Review the EDC's Business Climate Survey.
Key Issues, Projects and Partners
The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, through efforts of its Commerce Sarasota Council, Chamber staff, key volunteers and partners, remains extremely active in a variety of issues of importance to the economic vitality of the greater Sarasota region.
Examples include:
Coalition of Business Associations (COBA)
As a founding member of this newly formed voice for business, The Chamber has joined with other business associations. The group's objective is to exercise the strength of the combined 9,000 members to improve the area's business climate and improve citizen understanding in the health and future of our economy and quality of life.
COBA meets monthly and is planning a variety of events in 2008. The lead off event was a COBA sponsored forum presented by the USF Sarasota-Manatee Institute of Public Policy & Leadership, on January 17 entitled "Save Our Homes" AMENDMENT ONE: WHAT DOES IT MEAN?". Guest panelists included:
- John M. Sebree, Vice President for Public Policy, Florida Association of Realtors
- John Wane Smith, Legislative Affairs Director, Florida Association of Counties
- Lisa Carlton, State Senator, District 23
- Nora Patterson, Sarasota County Commission Chair
- Ed Chiles, Chief Executive Officer, The Chiles Group, Anna Maria
Cultural Park - City of Sarasota
The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce helped promote, sponsor and staff the newly-formed Cultural Park Task Force. This City of Sarasota effort is designed to bring to life the concepts contained in a multi-year planning effort to develop the 42 acres surrounding the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall into a world-class set of venues for cultural events and groups.
Fairgrounds Study Group
The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce helped form and serve on this newly-appointed group in conjunction with the City of Sarasota, Sarasota County and the Fair Board. In 2008, the study group is charged to develop a master plan for the 98 acres on Fruitville Road surrounding Robarts Arena.
For more information on these and many other economic development initiatives at The Chamber, please contact Del Borgsdorf, 941.556.4045 or Valorie Hillerich, 941.556.4046, Division of Economic & Community Development.
