Population and job growth in Southwest Florida is a tale of extremes. At one end of the spectrum are less-developed counties like Charlotte, Hardee and De Soto, still hamstrung by damage from the past two hurricane seasons. At the other end are the healthier and wealthier areas of Sarasota, Lee and Collier counties, which accounted for the bulk of the 125,000 new residents -- more than 60% from out of state -- who moved to the region in 2003-04.

Growth throughout the region encompasses a broad range of incomes and occupations. Statistically, the fastest-growing occupations in the Suncoast Workforce Region, which encompasses Sarasota and Manatee counties, are in social and human services, information technology, construction, healthcare and manufacturing. But young professionals are also moving to the area: One networking group that meets weekly in the Sarasota area now boasts of having some 1,500 e-mail addresses. "They're adding a vitality to the area," says Sarasota County Commissioner Shannon Staub.

Despite the population surge, the region is a long way from a glut of labor. "One large service area CEO was telling me the other day that by the end of next year he'll have increased average hourly wages for his employees by 10%," says Staub.

In Collier County, officials have proclaimed 2006 the year of "economic diversification," and Lee County, which welcomed a record 28,000 new residents last year, is striving to expand its employment base beyond tourism and construction. As in most growing areas of Florida, housing prices are a concern: In Lee County, the median sales price for existing homes surged to about $280,000, with the county's average wage at about $33,000.

Cape Coral remains one of the fastest-growing areas. The 11th most populated urban area in the state in 2004, according to the University of Florida's Bureau of Economic and Business Research, Cape Coral has grown in less than two years from 132,379 residents to more than 150,000. In Southwest Florida, St. Petersburg and Tampa were the only other cities listed among the top 10 most populated areas.

The region could see even more growth in the next decade if Florida's Turnpike Enterprise ends up building an east-west route across the state from north Manatee County and an intersecting north-south toll road through the middle of the lower peninsula. The state recently authorized feasibility studies on both proposed multibillion-dollar connector routes.

Key Newcomer

? Palm Beach developer Syd Kitson, chief executive of Kitson & Partners, is planning to build a town for 50,000 people on 17,000 acres of the Babcock Ranch, about 30 miles outside Punta Gorda. Kitson acquired the entire 92,000-acre ranch, the last remaining unbroken strip of land between Charlotte and Lee counties, last year but sold 81% of the property back to the state for preservation.

New Companies

? GE Security, a subsidiary of General Electric that deals in everything from fire detection equipment to embassy security, relocated its headquarters from Austin, Texas, to Lakewood Ranch last summer. The move followed GE's acquisition of Edwards Systems Technology, a fire-detection systems business that already employed about 150 in Manatee County. The deal created an additional 70 jobs with an average salary of $125,000.

? Lehigh Technologies, a company that produces rubber powders from recycled materials for use in tires, tire products, plastics and automotive parts, moved from New York to Naples last year after receiving $8 million in venture capital.

? G?mmerler, a German company that manufactures material handling equipment for the printing industry, will move its North American manufacturing headquarters from Chicago to Palmetto this year. The company's $4.25-million investment in a new 80,000-sq.-ft. facility will initially bring about 85 jobs, but that could grow to about 150 within two years.

? Morrison Homes recently purchased 12.9 acres in south Fort Myers, where it plans to build a gated community with 50 homes.

? Since consolidating his company's New York and Israel operations in Sarasota four years ago, Reuben Ben-Arie, CEO of MadahCom, has multiplied his workforce from four to 70 and moved into a new facility near the Sarasota airport. His company manufactures mass notification and public warning systems for homeland security.

Sarasota

A CEO comes to visit and ends up moving his entire company to the region. It's an oft-repeated scenario in Sarasota that economic development officials are using to their advantage. "If we're talking to a company that's talking to the county for relocation, our hook is just to get them to visit. Then the community sells itself," says Kathy Baylis, president of the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County. ... Medical Education Technologies, a local company that makes lifelike computerized medical mannequins, has received a three-year, $5.8-million contract to provide the Army's medical simulation training centers with high-tech human patient simulators. ... A deal to bring minor league hockey to Lakewood Ranch collapsed earlier this year.

Key Newcomers

? Jeff Hazelton was seeking a better quality of life when he moved his high-tech medical animation company from San Diego to Sarasota last year. His six-person firm, BioLucid, creates animation for pharmaceutical and biotech companies such as Pfizer and Amgen for marketing and education purposes.

? Sam Cabral, president of the International Union of Police Associations, relocated the organization's headquarters from the Washington, D.C., area to downtown Sarasota last fall. Reasons cited for the move include a more stable workforce and a lower cost of living. Approximately eight people relocated as part of the move, but the group plans to expand.

Sarasota County

Ultrafast Systems, which manufactures spectrometer/photoscience equipment for academic labs, relocated six months ago from Bowling Green State University in Ohio to a research and development facility in Sarasota. The three-person company has customers across the globe.

Bradenton

In the past five years, the city has added 4,005 residents from major developments and 873 residents from infill for a total population of 54,382. The city's population is projected to climb to 68,790 by 2010, according to Jones, Edmunds & Associates. Major projects include a new 223,000-sq.-ft. judicial center project and several condo projects, including the Promenade at Riverwalk, which will house 350 units, the old City Hall site, which will contain 100 condos, and Villas Point Pleasant, which will have 17 units. ... The Bradenton City Council recently approved a controversial "no camping" ordinance, a move that critics complained was an unfair effort to crack down on the homeless.

Key Newcomers

? Jim McMillen, president and CEO of Thermodyn, an Ohio-based manufacturer of molded rubber products that recorded approximately $25 million in sales in 2004, is moving the company to Bradenton, bringing an estimated two dozen jobs to the area.

? Chris Miller moved from New York to Bradenton in 2004 and opened Florida Precast Specialty Products, a company that manufactures lightweight cement panels that resemble stone but are about half the weight. Last year, Miller moved his company into a 30,000-sq.-ft. facility.

Manatee County

Haemacure Corp., a Canadian company that develops biological adhesives, biomaterials and surgical devices for acute surgical wound care, is funding a $10.8-million expansion and renovation of its manufacturing operations in Manatee that will create 51 jobs with salaries from $65,000 to $100,000.

Naples

Ten years ago, the percentage of Hispanic students attending Collier County schools was approximately 25%. Today, it's about 39%. The increase comes as thousands of people on Florida's east coast have moved west. Miami-Dade County contributed the second-greatest number of new residents to the Collier County and Naples area in 2003-04, according to IRS data. "There's a lot more developed land over there, where there's a lot to be developed over here," says Tammie Nemecek, president of the Economic Development Council of Collier County. That is if you can afford it. Last year, the median price of a home in Naples rose to $482,000, making it one of the most expensive places in the country. ... Collier County commissioners recently approved a plan to speed up the county's permitting process to help lure companies offering higher quality jobs. ... Collier Regional Medical Center, a $75-million hospital that will employ between 300 and 350, will be completed later this year.

Brian Holley will oversee a master plan that calls for creating a "world-class subtropical garden paradise" at Naples Botanical Garden.

Key Newcomers

? Brian Holley, executive director of Cleveland Botanical Garden, has also been named executive director of Naples Botanical Garden and is splitting his time between Ohio and Florida. He will oversee the implementation of a new master plan for the Naples attraction that is intended to turn the 160-acre property into a "world-class subtropical garden paradise."

? Domino's Pizza founder Tom Monaghan recently held groundbreaking ceremonies for Ave Maria University. Since 2002, Monaghan has invested more than $230 million in the school and the surrounding town also called Ave Maria.

Collier County

March Performance, a Michigan-based auto parts manufacturer that is growing 25% a year and employs between 50 and 60, is moving into its recently completed 40,000-sq.-ft. facility in North Naples.

Fort Myers

Of the half-million people living in Lee County, more than 61,000 call Fort Myers home, and the number is growing. "It really becomes evident when you start looking at the growth in our school system," says Regina Smith, executive director of the Lee County Economic Development Office. The system adds between 5,000 and 6,000 students a year, she says, compared to about 3,000 only a few years ago. ... Driven by tourism, retail and construction, job growth hit 9.3% between 2004 and 2005, making Lee County the second-fastest growing job market in the nation behind Pasco County. ... Some 3,200 units in 10 separate high-rise complexes came online in downtown Fort Myers within the past two years. ... Cameratta Properties breaks ground this spring on its $270-million First Street Village, which will include a Publix supermarket and additional retailers. ... To accommodate growth, the city has kicked off its so-called "streetscape" project to put down new sidewalks, crosswalks and additional parking.

Key Newcomer

? Lisa Sparks, a Philadelphia native who for four years ran a home-based business in Cape Coral, was recently named a certified business analyst with the Small Business Development Center at Florida Gulf Coast University. Sparks works with Cape Coral's economic development office to promote small and home-based businesses in Cape Coral.

Lee County

Dawning Technologies, a company that develops interfacing equipment for clinical labs, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, relocated from Fairport, N.Y., to Fort Myers, bringing 23 jobs.

Charlotte County

As new CEO of the United Way in Charlotte County, Pennsylvania transplant Cecy Glenn has plenty to keep her busy as she helps residents rebuild after Hurricane Charley in 2004. She previously served as executive director of United Way of Southern Chester County in Pennsylvania but relocated to the area last year to live closer to her daughter and son-in-law.

De Soto, Highlands, Hardee Counties

All three counties are still recovering from the effects of Hurricane Charley almost two years ago. Despite sustaining $2 million in damage from the Category 4 storm, Wal-Mart completed its 800,000-sq.-ft. distribution facility in Arcadia last year, creating 450 jobs for residents of rural De Soto County.

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