The tourist season was strong and steady in 2007. While visitors came in about the same numbers the first few months of the year compared to 2006, Florida was up 2.3 percent from April through June, with 23.5 million visitors, according to Visit Florida. The better news was that Florida was once again the top tourist destination in the country, a designation we’d lost to California last year.

DIVERSIFYING THE ECONOMY

Building has long been the backbone of the Southwest Florida economy, and economic development leaders in both counties have been trying hard to diversify it. Between 30 and 40 percent of jobs come from construction says Kathy Baylis, Sarasota EDC president.

From 2000 to 2006, jobs not related to construction grew from 20 to 26 percent, says Baylis. “We’re not where we’d like to be, but it’s getting much better,” she says.

The creative industry is one of five “clusters” the EDC has targeted for job growth, and to that end they brought the county’s film office under its wing.

The new Sarasota County Film and Entertainment office, headed by Jeanne Corcoran, has already brought in 100 film and commercial producers who have spent an estimated three-quarters of a million dollars in Sarasota County.

In Manatee, tomato seed company Enza Zaden Research opened a 46-acre research park, and in Sarasota County, United Natural Foods Inc. opened a 352,000-square foot-distribution facility in the mammoth former Winn Dixie distribution center off Clark Road, adding 150 jobs its first year.

STUCK IN TRAFFIC

Florida’s roads, already among the most crowded in the U.S., are getting worse. Traffic is growing at four times the rate that new lanes and roads are being built, according to a Sarasota Herald-Tribune report. Southwest Floridians waste about 3.4 million gallons of gas and $97 million annually because of congested roads, according to the 2005 Urban Mobility Report.

At the same time, the state is facing a $45 billion shortfall in its road budget. A study from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte shows that Florida has six major cities, including Sarasota-Bradenton, rated as congested—more than any other state except California. The Florida Legislature approved leasing toll roads to private companies to fund some of the needed construction.

KEEPING SCORE

IN

Sarasota City Manager Robert Bartolotta, after a surreal hiring process that included candidate Susan/Steve Stanton in the national limelight and a delay while the city investigated unsubstantiated abuse allegations.

New Sarasota city commissioners Richard Clapp and Kelly Kirschner.

Jeanne Corcoran, director of Sarasota County Film & Entertainment Office.

Green building, which went mainstream as businesses saw the economic value in energy efficiency.

What’s old is new again, and developers continued to push New Urbanism—those features we love about old cities such as sidewalks, above-the-store living and connectivity—in plans from Englewood’s Northern Anchor to Bradenton’s downtown master plan.

Jade Homes, one of the first local homebuilders to close its doors in 2006, managed to regroup and finish most of its homes instead of file for bankruptcy.

United Natural Foods, a national organic food distributor, filled up a 352,000-square-foot distribution facility in Sarasota to serve the Florida market, and estimated it would bring about 250 jobs within three years.

About a dozen roundabouts are planned throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties. Not everyone is a fan; the city of Venice is fighting the county over plans for one at Jacaranda and Venice Ave., one of the city’s busiest intersections.

Fractional condos were announced for the Hyatt Residence Beach Club on Siesta Key and Tidemark Resorts Beach and Marina Residence Club on Anna Maria.

Dog lovers can make a date with Fido now that Sarasota County and the city of Sarasota permits doggy dining.

The Sarasota City Commission resurrected the idea of downtown parking meters for a “trial period.”

Pineapple Square Properties started free valet parking in downtown Sarasota.

Sarasota’s new fertilizer rules limit use in the rainy season and create a fertilizer-free buffer near waterways.

After closing for redevelopment, popular Siesta Key restaurant The Summerhouse reopened as a clubhouse for the adjacent condo community and received historic designation from the Florida Trust on Historic Preservation.

A $4.3 million Venice Boys & Girls Club opened in October after years of planning and fund raising.

The Hyatt Sarasota will remain a hotel instead of luxury condos after the Blackstone Group, a New York-based private equity fund, purchased it from Charles Githler and Hotel Associates. A $10 million-plus renovation is under way.