The pace of business expansion in Manatee County this year has been "encouraging," Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp. (EDC) officials told business and civic leaders last week.
At the Bradenton Area Convention Center last Thursday, EDC president Sharon Hillstrom presented highlights from the organization's Progress Update publication, which is available online at www.thinkbradentonarea.com. Key results include:
- Since 2009, the Bradenton Area EDC and its partners have assisted 60 businesses with expansions and relocations.
- These companies are projected to deliver more than 3,500 jobs and $1.8 billion in wages from direct and indirect jobs through 2021.
- Companies the EDC assisted plan to invest $447 million in capital during the same period.
- Examples of local companies that announced plans in the last year to create jobs and invest capital include Bright House Networks (parent company of Bay News 9), RND Automation, Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals, Star2Star Communications and Verde GSE.
- Other companies the EDC assisted in recent years have exceeded their growth expectations. Examples include Feld Entertainment, IMG Academy, It Works and JRL Ventures.
Outgoing EDC Chairman John Rice presented two Economic Development Awards of Distinction. Bob Bartz, president of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce, was recognized as the driving force behind creating the EDC more than 30 years ago as a division of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce. The second award honored County Administrator Ed Hunzeker.
Rice said Hunzeker has been instrumental in implementing the Manatee County Commission’s charge to change the culture of county government from a culture of “can’t do” to a culture of “can do."