Manatee County highlights local successes during Economic Development Week, May 9 – 15
MANATEE COUNTY, FL (May 7, 2021) – A virtual treasure hunt, social media posts and an outreach event at the Oneco Market highlight a week’s worth of events planned for 2021 Economic Development Week, May 9 – 15. Each year during Economic Development Week, Manatee County highlights successes in the areas of local job creation, career and workforce development, economic expansion, attraction of investors, and improving the overall quality of life in Manatee County.
County Commissioners are scheduled to approve a National Economic Development Week Proclamation Tuesday, May 11 at 8:30 a.m. in the Patricia M. Glass County Commission Chambers of the County Administration Building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. Throughout the week visitors to the Admin Building can review some of the local economic development success stories in a lobby exhibit.
A team of Economic Development staff will set up a booth at the Oneco Farmer’s Market on Friday, May 14 from 3 – 5 p.m. to promote the County’s Inclusive Manatee Initiative, and kick off the County’s Microenterprise Program. The County will start utilizing a dedicated shared space at the market to conduct small business outreach and be part of a new and exciting hub of entrepreneurship in international cuisine, and quirky yet practical consumer items catering to Manatee County. Additionally, a new banking product specially designed to complement the County’s Inclusive Manatee program will be launched by the Financial Access Federal Credit Union (formerly known as Manatee Community Federal Credit Union).
Since the onset of Manatee County’s economic development program, County Commissioners have approved nearly $16.5 million in incentives to create or retain almost 7,000 high paying jobs in the County. Companies that have received incentives from the County are projected to invest more than $944 million in capital improvements through 2027.
“Celebrating this year’s Economic Development Week together with fellow economic development professionals, community partners, and stakeholders is an important intentional action to underscore and make visible the collective work that results in meaningful impact to the community,” said Ruth Buchanan, Manatee County Economic Development Manager. “This is also a time to highlight the faces that do the quiet work in the background, and to thank all who have contributed to the past year’s successes despite the challenges brought on by the pandemic. Our chosen theme encapsulates this year’s energy and spirit, #ManateeMomentum toward a robust, resilient, and inclusive economic development.”
Manatee County's celebration for Economic Development Week is in collaboration with partners such as Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation (BAEDC), Port Manatee, Manatee Chamber, Manasota Black Chamber, Spark Growth, Station 2 Innovation, Gulf Coast Latin Chamber, Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, CareerSource Suncoast, and local universities and state colleges.
National Economic Development Week was created in 2016 by the International Economic Development Council to recognize the unique role that economic development has in creating vibrant communities with strong economies.