Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance Celebrates National Economic Development Week

The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance (LWRBA) celebrated job growth on May 9, 2019 in front of a key expansion in Lakewood Ranch, the new Sarasota Memorial Health Care System and First Physicians Group facility at the corner of SR 70 and Lorraine Rd. The celebration was part of the LWRBA’s participation in National Economic Development Week, as proclaimed locally by the Manatee County commission.

Community leaders and key officials gathered in front of the new facility for a brief address and certificate presentation honoring Sarasota Memorial Health Care System with their investment to the community. In addition to representation from SMH, attendees included representatives from the Bradenton Area EDC Sarasota EDC, the Sarasota and Manatee Chambers, as well as elected officials and annual supporters of the LWRBA.

“It is economic drivers like SMH and numerous others that can open the door for a community and allow Small Business to thrive,” said Heather Williams, 2019 LWRBA Chairman. “It is investments in education, real estate, and healthcare – like the one we are here celebrating here today – that lay the foundation for a community to grow on an economic level. This facility is a fantastic example of an economic driver creating job growth, while offering a necessary pillar to benefit Lakewood Ranch residents for years to come.”

The facility is currently in the final stages of construction and is set to open in July 2019.

“As we celebrate National Economic Development Week, we must recognize the primary economic engine in Lakewood Ranch, Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, including Lakewood Ranch Communities and Lakewood Ranch Commercial,” said Dom DiMaio, LWRBA President/CEO. “Without their purposeful vision, our region wouldn’t be what it is today. Our future looks bright with Economic Development projects such as the Brain Health Initiative, CORE and Waterside, and not to forget the remainder of the residential buildout.”

Lakewood Ranch, recognized as the number 1 multi-generational community in the country, comprises over 1,500 business and over 16,000 employees, according to a 2019 study conducted by Fishkind and Associates. Currently, 5.6M Sq. Ft. of commercial space has been built out, with 8.8M Sq. Ft. still available for development within the LWR borders.

Now in its fourth year, National Economic Development Week was created by the International Economic Development Council, the largest professional membership organization for economic developers, in 2016 to recognize the unique role that economic development has in creating vibrant communities with strong economies. More than 250 communities participated in the 2018 campaign across the U.S. and Canada. Cities, counties and states recognized the week in past through official proclamations.