Southwest - Yearbook

Amy Keller | 4/1/2011

Throughout the region, economic developers are looking to broaden their employment bases. Sarasota County is diversifying as well but also is trying to capitalize on a demographic base heavy with affluent retirees.

Southwest Florida

SARASOTA COUNTY GOALS

Promote and grow the region's nascent film and entertainment industry.

Expand export opportunities for local companies and attract investment for foreign companies seeking markets in the U.S.

Promote initiatives that complement the region (including its older population base), such as its Institute for the Ages, medical tourism and a creativity institute.

Grow businesses and create jobs.

Jobs
MSA	DEC. 2010	DEC 2009	% Change	Jobless Rate
Bradenton/ Sarasota/ North Port	274,768	272,225	+0.9%	11.6%
Cape Coral/ Fort Myers	240,286	240,076	NC	12.5%
Naples/ Marco Island	128,248	127,048	+0.9%	11.5%
Punta Gorda	60,389	59,809	+1.0%	12.0%
Source: Agency for Workforce Innovation

Homes Single-family, existing-home sales by Realtors
MSA	Jan. 2011 Sales	1-Year Change	Jan. 2011 Price	1-Year Change
Fort Myers/ Cape Coral	1,072	-4%	$88,500	-3%
Punta Gorda	260	+33%	$86,300	-15%
Sarasota/ Bradenton	742	+12%	$136,300	-13%
Source: Florida Realtors

Sarasota Population: 374,809
Population Growth Rate (2007-11): 0.40%
Population by Age:
0-14	15-19	20-39	40-64	65+
13.2%	4.6%	17.9%	33.5%	30.8%
Per Capita Income: $53,723

Sean Snaith, director of the Institute for Economic Competitiveness at the University of Central Florida, told Sarasota business leaders at the 2011 Economic Outlook luncheon that because Sarasota tends to attract a "more affluent retiree who's not as dependent on the value of their home up in Jersey" that Sarasota tends to stay "out ahead" of a lot of other regions as the economy slowly recovers. [Photo: Bill Speer]

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