 Economic Development
Get SMART!
Public-Private Partnerships Help Sarasota County Address
Competitiveness, Business Climate
By Kathy Baylis,
President & CEO, Economic Development Corporation of
Sarasota County
Published: April / May 2008
EDC administered rapid permitting program and business
helpline boost community’s business-friendly image
Perhaps you’ve heard economic developers chant the now
widely accepted mantra, “Florida is no longer the
low-cost state”? So what now? Do we fold up our beach
chairs and move north? In Sarasota County, the
realization of this “fact,” along with concern about
other issues such as the cost of health care insurance,
property taxes and competition from other states, has
prompted a proactive approach to improving the business
climate from government officials and economic
development professionals alike.
Sarasota County Commissioners recently approved
enhancements to the Sarasota Means Action Response Team
(SMART) program. SMART was implemented in the 1990’s to
allow targeted, export-oriented businesses intending to
expand or relocate in Sarasota County to receive
fast-track permitting for facility development. The
commissioners’ action expanded the program to include
rezones, special exceptions, and sector plan amendments
for qualified applicants.
The SMART program does not eliminate or circumvent
existing land use regulations or construction standards.
After all, our community wants to protect the very
culture and natural assets that make our area attractive
and unique. The program simply accelerates the process
by ensuring determinations and decisions about the
development of the land and facilities for specific
value-added companies are made in a more expeditious
manner.
“The SMART program is a vital tool in our efforts to
promote economic development in Sarasota County,” says
Commissioner Joe Barbetta. “The County Commission is
committed to this program and the action of the
commission to expand the scope of the program shows how
serious we are about improving the local business
climate.”
The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County
(EDC), the not-for-profit organization leading the
area’s economic development strategy, determines the
eligibility of applicant companies. To qualify, a
company must meet specific guidelines which include
paying an average wage that equals or exceeds the annual
average wage of Sarasota County’s private industries;
creating at least 10 new jobs, if relocating; and having
a critical timing need that jeopardizes the project if
fast-track processing is not utilized.
To facilitate the program, the EDC works with a team of
agencies including Sarasota County’s Land Development
Services division, the county’s Development Review
Committee, the Construction and Property Standards
Department and the Southwest Florida Water Management
District.
This is not the first time the community has benefited
from public-private collaboration to improve the
business climate. In fact, the EDC recently launched its
retooled business assistance helpline, LINK. The system
links Sarasota County businesses of any size or type to
the resources of the EDC and its partners, including the
county and its municipalities. Any business experiencing
challenges that hinder growth or continued prosperity
can access help through LINK and receive initial help
within 24 hours during the normal work week.
The true value of the helpline, which is meant to be a
“last call” resource, is that government and private
sector entities stand at the ready to help local
businesses resolve issues related to permitting,
regulations, infrastructure, zoning, site and building
searches, financing, labor and training, and technical
needs. LINK assistance is provided by the EDC and its
partners including Verizon; Comcast; Florida Power and
Light; Sarasota County government; municipalities;
Manatee Community College; The University of South
Florida Sarasota-Manatee; Sarasota County Technical
Institute; Suncoast Workforce Development Board; and
Southwest Florida Water Management District, to name a
few.
Though one could argue Florida is no longer the low cost
state, we certainly compare favorably to other areas of
the country, including the northeast. However, there’s a
clear need to make our communities as competitive and
business friendly as possible, particularly as we deal
with the housing slowdown and uncertainties of the
national economy. In Sarasota County, we continue to
utilize public-private partnerships to ensure our area’s
economic prosperity. The expansion of the SMART program
and availability of the LINK business helpline sends a
message to local businesses and companies considering
relocation to Sarasota County that our community and
government officials are making an effort to
continuously improve the area’s business climate.
Information about SMART, LINK and other business
assistance resources available in Sarasota County can be
accessed by contacting the Economic Development
Corporation at (941) 309-1200 or visiting
www.edcsarasotacounty.com.
Kathy Baylis is the president and CEO of the Economic
Development Corporation of Sarasota County, the
public/private economic development partnership that
creates and fosters economic opportunities by working
with their community and regional partners
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